Get Ready, 15 1/2 is Around the Corner!

When my kids approached the age when they could get a driving permit, my wife and I were terrified. The kids were thrilled though and it is unavoidable. They WILL drive. Getting involved early is key to make sure you are ready. As they approach driving age, seat them up front and tell them what you are doing and why when you drive. Tips about merging onto the freeway, courtesy, and being pro-active go a long way to help them prepare. They are also less likely to be overly anxious when they train and test too. One of the keys to success is a great driving school. We used Curbside Driving School and both kids are still great drivers after 5 years (no tickets, no accidents).

I wanted to share some great tips from Mercury, but I also wanted to highlight a new tool from Verizon that can help ease your mind and keep your kids safer. The product is called Hum and the other cell phone providers are sure to follow suit. This new tool plugs into your diagnostic port (all cars newer than 1996) and also comes with a hands-free unit that clips on the visor.
Some key features available using the free app (service is $14.99 per month and you don't have to be a Verizon mobile customer);

Allows you to be informed about how fast your kids are driving.
Geolocation to know where they are driving.
Shows car diagnostics in case you are getting warning notices.
Roadside assistance.
Stolen vehicle tracking.

There are competitors like Automatic and Vinli, both of which use the OBD port like Hum does. All are banking on slightly different business models and degrees of functionality, though: Automatic relies on your phone's cellular connection and has no monthly fee, while Hum has no upfront equipment charge. Vinli, meanwhile, runs $199.99 upfront plus a variable monthly fee — but offers an LTE connection and in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, which Hum does not.

-Ron Lovell

Putting Your Teen Behind The Wheel

Teen drivers spend countless hours dreaming of owning their first car. A fast sports car conjures exciting images, while an SUV has ample room for all of their friends—and both vehicles have one thing in common: Neither is a good choice for teens.
If you’re the parent of a teen driver, you may be wondering what you can do to help ensure his or her safety. Aside from knowing and honoring the rules of the road, safe teen driving involves operating the appropriate type of vehicle. In addition to researching auto insurance for teens, there are five tips to consider when choosing your teen’s first car. Designed to help protect young drivers, these suggestions focus on safety, which also helps to lower the cost of car insurance for teenagers.

Tip 1: Watch the speed

Driving fast cars with turbochargers and high horsepower carries significant risk for teen drivers. Car accidents are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year olds, and in 35% of those accidents among males, the primary cause is speeding.¹ Help protect your teen by choosing a vehicle with a four-cylinder engine and average horsepower, which may cost less to insure and could save lives.

Tip 2: Grounded in reality

When it comes to buying a car, many parents mistakenly presume that big equates to safe. The opposite is often true for young drivers, as SUVs and pick-up trucks can pose significant dangers for teen drivers. These vehicles have a high center-of-gravity, which makes them less stable and more prone to rollover than traditional mid-sized sedans—especially for inexperienced drivers.
Reality check: SUVs have the highest rollover involvement rate of any vehicle type in fatal crashes, followed by pickup trucks.²

Tip 3: Buy 1997 or later

While pre-owned cars are less expensive, older models may be more costly to insure—and they often don’t have modern safety features found on newer cars. Although many parents can’t afford new or almost-new vehicles, they should focus on models manufactured in 1997 or later—the year airbags were required in all cars. Other important safety features include side airbags, anti-lock brakes and roll stability control.

Tip 4: Know the score

Whether shopping for a new or pre-owned vehicle, always check crash-test scores. All vehicles are rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which provides ratings on a vehicle’s ability to withstand a front or side impact. Although these scores are approximate, they provide an excellent appraisal of a model’s structural integrity. To access crash-test scores, visit the NHTSA’s website at www.safercar.gov.

Tip 5: Ask for a rate quote

Before you go car shopping, inquire about car insurance for teens. Find out how much it will cost to insure your teen in his or her new car. Rates can often vary by hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
Following these tips will help reduce the risks often associated with teen driving as well as lessen parents’ anxieties.
¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2014, Teen Drivers’ Fact Sheet
² PBS.org., Before You Buy An SUV

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