Expert: Bennie719 - 7/4/2009

Question
What is my cheapest option regarding car insurance for our 19 yr old son and 15 yr old daughter?  My son is in college in another state during 11+ months per year, does not have a car, does not drive year round except when he comes back home for periods of 1-2 wk max, accumulating less than 4 wks a yr total at home.  My wife and I have 3 cars, but he only drives our 1999 SUV, never my car or my wife's new car.  We seldom use that SUV for anything other than to teach our 15 yr. old daughter to drive.  He has a DL from our home state but could easily switch to a DL from his college state as he spends 11+ mo a yr there.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Ever,
Discuss this situation with your Agent.  If your son's college
is 150 miles or more from your home, most companies will leave
him listed as a driver but totally remove all charges for him.
Their only demand is that you add him back as a driver for
periods of time that he will be at home for 30 days or more.
By this method, your son is covered while driving at home and
covered at school while entering into, alighting from and riding
in any four wheel (or more) vehicle or being struck by any four
wheel(or more) motorized vehicle as a pedestrian and also covered if he should drive a friend's car.  There is no coverage while
riding or driving a motorcycle.

If your present company will not make this adjustment in your
rate, then it's time to shop with other companies because this
is the most prevalent rule.

As far as your daughter is concerned, most companies will make
no additional charge as long as she only has a permit.  Once
she is licensed, they will place a charge on whichever car
will yield the highest premium charge and she can drive any
vehicle on the policy on an unlimited basis.  This situation
should also be discussed with your Agent and you should shop
with other companies if your present company has rules that
would create charges while she is on a permit.

I hope that you find this information helpful.  Your feedback
by rating my response by rating my answer will be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area