While obtaining a license to drive is a right of passage that most teens eagerly look forward to, their parents may not be quite so excited by the prospect. In addition to worrying about their child's safety when behind the wheel of a powerful automobile, many parents may also have concerns about the costs involved with having a teenage driver in the family. If your teen is working toward obtaining his or her license to drive, these three tips can help you reduce the cost of auto insurance and help make the experience as affordable as possible. 

Choose the car they will drive with care

Since auto insurance premiums are, in part, based on the make and model of the vehicle being insured, choosing one that is less expensive to insure is a great way to help reduce the amount of the insurance premium for your teen driver. To do this, avoid cars that are new or very late models, high-performance or sport models, or known to be targeted by car thieves.

Instead, choose a make and model with good safety ratings, that's fuel-efficient, and that's comfortable for your child to drive. 

Look for discounts to help reduce premium costs

Parents who are ready to insure a teen driver can often save a substantial amount on the cost of the premium by simply looking for additional available discounts, including these: 

• discounts for taking a defensive driver or driver safety course
• discounts for insuring multiple vehicles or bundling coverage with other types of policies, such as home, life, or health
• discounted premium costs in exchange for a higher deductible

In addition to potential discounts, comparing rates from several companies can also be a good way to make sure that you are getting the best possible price. 

Add the teen to a parent's policy

Another way to help save a significant amount on insurance premiums for a new teenage driver is to see if adding the teen to a parent's current auto insurance policy would be less expensive than putting him or her on a separate policy. To determine whether this is a good option, parents should discuss it with their insurance agent. When speaking with the agent, take time to explain your concerns about costs and coverage. In many cases, the auto insurance agent may know of specific cost reductions that may apply to your situation, such as good student discounts or those for keeping the annual mileage under certain limits. 

For more information, contact agencies like Crowel Agency, Inc.