By Sabrina Karl

Have a teenager who will start driving in the coming year or two? Brace yourself, because there’s no way to sugar coat that adding a young driver to your policy is going to be expensive.

The reason, of course, is that the odds of an accident are much higher with teenage drivers. And it’s not a small difference. The National Transportation Safety Board’s reports that teen drivers’ crash rates are three times as high as drivers age 20 and older.

Still, that doesn’t mean you’re powerless to get the best rate you can. While it’s tempting to simply call up your existing insurance provider and ask them to add your child, this is a perfect time to ask around for a few quotes.

Since most insurance companies do not require teen coverage until your child actually gets their license, the permit stage is a great time to ask your existing company what it will cost to add them.

Then, take the smart step of getting quotes from 2-3 additional companies. Not only may another company offer cheaper teen rates for the same coverage, but you may find mom and dad’s rates are cheaper there, too.

Be sure to explore which car is best to add your teen to, and then inquire about discounts. Many companies offer a good student discount, or perhaps lower rates for those who take a defensive driving course. Also, kids not living at home may qualify for a discount. Lastly, ask about monitoring programs or apps, which can provide parental oversight as well as potentially lower rates.

Lastly, encourage your teen’s good driving habits. Each year they go without a ticket or accident will generally reduce your rates. And once they go three years accident- and ticket-free, they can likely qualify for a good driver discount.