A teenager reaching driving age is a time of mixed emotion for any parent. Many thoughts rush through the mind of many parents.
• I hope my teen will be a responsible driver
• I hope they obey traffic rules
• I hope they are safe
• I hope they don’t drink and drive
• I hope they don’t use their cell phones while driving
These are but a few in a flurry of thoughts. Deep down, most parents pray for the well being of their teenage child who has just taken to the wheel of their automobile or has started riding a two-wheeler.
As parents, one must ensure that they impart sound knowledge of operating a motorized vehicle, a good set of ethical values and morals, a good set of dos and don’ts in the unfortunate event of an accident and selecting the best insurance vehicle insurance policy. Many a parent have skipped the last part, much to their chagrin.
Sound Knowledge of Operating a Vehicle
A teenager becomes eligible for a learner’s license to drive a vehicle a motorized, gearless vehicle below fifty cubic capacity once they attain the age of 16, with the consent of the parents or guardians. However, once a teenager attains the age of 18, he or she is permitted to obtain a permanent license for any private vehicle, with or without gears. A good driving school that imparts sound knowledge of operating a vehicle and important safety tips is extremely imperative. Do not compromise when selecting such a driving school.
Good Moral and Ethical Values
This point cannot be overemphasized. Parents must realize that a vehicle is also a dangerous weapon, should it be used in a negative way. The lives of their child and the lives of others are at stake when a person takes the wheel of an automobile. It is very important that teenagers be sensitized to the needs of others on the roads along with their own. Giving right of way, waiting for pedestrians, moving aside for ambulances, law enforcement vehicles, and fire trucks, laws around using cell phones and not driving under the influence are just some of the points that parents must educate a newly licensed driver.
Some of the Dos and Don’ts for Better Road Manners
Parents or guardians should reiterate some of the important dos and don’ts of driving from time to time.
• Never leave the scene of an accident, whether at fault or not
• Always wait for a police vehicle or assistance from law enforcement
• Offer assistance to an injured person
• Never offer to compromise before the arrival of the appropriate law enforcement agency
• Never enter an argument or fight
• Pullover to the side of the road, if the vehicle can be moved to avoid inconveniencing others
• Call the nearest available hospital in case a serious injury is detected
• Try and keep yourself and others involved calm
• Keep important members of the family on speed dial
• Keep vehicle registration, license and insurance papers handy and in original in the vehicle
While this is not an exhaustive list of dos and doesn't, they are some of the critical ones that are important to remember while driving or riding, especially for teenagers, who might be unassisted or without the supervision of someone older or more experienced person.
Tips to Buy or Renew Car Insurance
If the vehicle involved in the accident is relatively new, the insurance policy would have come with the vehicle. Hence the vehicle owner may not be able to exercise much of choice in this case. Although some vehicle showrooms do offer the choice of insurance providers to their customers at the time of making the purchase.
• It is always advisable to proceed with the insurance using a tried and tested insurance company. There are many new companies that emerge every day, but they may not have sufficient internal and external processes in place to provide the best possible service. PolicyX.com provides some comprehensive information for making the choice easier.
• Always check the claim settlement ratio or CSR of the insurance provider beforehand. As the name advocates, the claim settlement ratio is the difference between the total number of claims made versus the settled claims by the insurance provider. Goes without saying that the higher the percentage of claim settlement, the more reliable the insurance company.
• Research about the insurance provider and find information related to customer feedback. It may also be a good idea to seek help or feedback from trusted friends and family who might have more experience in dealing with various insurance companies.
• It is better to purchase a comprehensive insurance policy versus any other type of policy. A comprehensive policy though costlier than say third-party insurance only provides complete coverage including own vehicle, driver or rider insurance, third party injury or death or third-party property damage.
• It is also recommended that customers select insurance companies that provide zero depreciation coverage on their vehicles. Unlike traditional policies that depreciate the cost of certain parts, such as plastic, glass, and metal before making payments, zero depreciation policies pay the complete value of the part used to repair an accidental vehicle.
• Choose an insurance provider with a wide network of partner garages across the country. This might help facilitate cashless repair from the outset, unlike a non-partner garage where a customer makes the initial payment and then makes a claim from the insurance company.
• It is always good to select companies that have a dedicated, round-the-clock customer care department.
• There are standard exclusions in most insurance policies, such as driving under the influence, using a vehicle for an unintended purpose, or illegal activity, not having a valid license when operating the vehicle or if the accident has occurred outside the territory of India.
• To be on the safe side, it is recommended that the teenager or user of the vehicle should also be personally insured for hospitalization in the event of an accident, or in case of death through a term policy.
PolicyX.com also recommends that customers check the complete terms and conditions of the car insurance company before taking a decision.
Some of the leading companies that provide vehicle insurance include TATA AIG, HDFC Ergo, The Oriental Insurance Company, and The New India Assurance Company. However, the choice is extensive. PolicyX provides an extensive list of available options for customers to choose from based on their requirements.