Estrella Insurance pushes teen-driver coverage planning during safety week

During National Teen Driver Safety Week, Estrella Insurance is urging families to talk about both safe driving and insurance before a teen gets licensed. The company says early planning can help parents manage steep premium increases, compare coverage and find discounts for new drivers.

Why it matters: - Teen drivers face elevated crash risk, and the financial hit can start before the first solo trip. - Families adding a 16-year-old to a policy can see premiums rise by as much as 150%, which makes coverage planning part of the cost of getting licensed. - Early insurance choices can also shape whether families can take advantage of discounts tied to grades, driver’s education and safe-driving tools.

What happened: - Estrella Insurance marked National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 18-24, by encouraging families to pair safe-driving talks with insurance planning for new drivers. - Richard Estrella, vice president of Estrella Insurance, said the best time to discuss coverage is before a teen gets a license. - Estrella Insurance said families can request a quote or find a local agent at More information.

The details: - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 2,320 people were killed in crashes involving drivers ages 15 to 18 in 2024. - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said drivers ages 16 to 19 crash at nearly four times the rate of drivers 20 and older when all police-reported crashes are counted. - The Highway Loss Data Institute has found that about half of collision claims from young drivers involve less than $3,000 in damage. - Estrella agents said the premium increase for a teen depends on the vehicle, the family’s location, and the deductibles and coverage limits selected. - NHTSA guidance encourages families to set rules on speed, phone use, seat belts and passengers before a teen drives alone. - State and carrier rules vary. Some policies automatically cover a teen with a learner’s permit. Others require parents to add the teen once the permit is issued. - Estrella agents compare coverage from more than 100 carriers to match a family with a policy structure that fits the budget. - Many carriers offer discounts for good grades, driver’s education and safe-driving apps. - Good-student discounts can reach 25% with some carriers. - Families that qualify for more than one discount can lower costs further.

Between the lines: - The message goes beyond road safety. Insurance planning is becoming part of the broader checklist for families before a teen starts driving. - The timing matters because waiting until after a license is issued can leave parents with fewer options to compare pricing, eligibility and discounts. - The emphasis on discounts and app-based monitoring suggests insurers are trying to reward habits that lower risk over time, not just price past driving records.

What's next: - Families preparing for a new driver are likely to keep comparing rates, carrier rules and available discounts as permit and licensing dates approach. - Estrella Insurance is positioning its agents as a first call for parents who want to balance coverage and cost before a teen drives alone.

The bottom line: - Teen driving safety and insurance costs are linked, and families that plan early may be better able to control both risk and premiums.