In order for a teen driver to gain experience with operating a motor vehicle, they need to spend time practicing with a licensed adult. It is essential that a teen gets in an adequate amount of practice prior to driving on their own as “teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash” [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]. In fact, “motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens,” highlights the CDC.
With that said, the more practice a teen gets in, the more experience they gain which can help reduce the chances of them engaging in a collision. Unfortunately, because many teen drivers tend to make mistakes while behind the wheel of a vehicle and aren’t as cautious as they should be, they get into accidents. Now, if your teen was recently involved in a minor car crash in Nashville, TN and you are wondering whether the incident is going to be covered by your auto insurance, read on below as we are providing you with the answer to that question along with some others that you may have.
When are teens covered by their parent’s auto insurance in TN?
After a teen driver has received their learner’s permit, they do not need their own insurance policy says the AAA which means they are covered under their parent’s. Therefore, if your teen was involved in a wreck while carrying their learner’s permit, they would be covered by your policy which includes the coverages you have along with the limits you have set. In the event you have deductibles for certain types of coverage, they would need to be satisfied as well before your insurer will begin to pay for any damages and/or injuries. Now, once your teen receives their license and is able to operate a motor vehicle on their own, they will need their own auto insurance policy so that they are properly covered or be added to your policy as a driver.
What type of auto insurance policy am I required to purchase for my teen once they have their license?
Every driver in the state of Tennessee, regardless of their age, is required to meet the state’s requirements when it comes to auto insurance. The AAA highlights that the state of Tennessee requires its drivers to carry the following coverages and corresponding limits:
- Bodily Injury Liability- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- Property Damage- $15,000
Your teen will be required to have these limits included in their policy and they may be required to carry other types of coverages depending on what your agreement is with your lender if they will be driving your vehicle.
Now, if your teen was involved in a car collision in Nashville and you are looking to recover the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to that will help cover vehicle repairs and/or medical bills, it is best you contact Nashville, TN car wreck attorney George R. Fusner Jr. for more information. Anytime a teen is involved in a crash, it can be traumatic, scary, and overwhelming as they are still getting used to the roadway. But, if your teen was lucky enough to walk away, then there are a few steps you can take to ensure they are properly compensated for their losses by their insurance company and or the at-fault party’s.
There are also some other options you have in terms of collecting compensation for their damage and/or injuries.
For instance, if the car wreck was more serious and the insurer responsible for paying you isn’t providing you with enough, attorney George R. Fusner, Jr. can then determine if filing a personal injury claim is the next step you should take. In any event, it is always advisable that you at least consult with a lawyer following a crash so that you can become more aware of what your rights are and how much you’re actually entitled to receive. If you would like to schedule an initial consultation so that you can discuss this with an experienced car wreck attorney in Nashville, TN who has years’ worth of experience in handling these types of cases, call Law Office of George R. Fusner Jr. today at 615-251-0005. There is no charge for the initial consultation. Contact us today to learn more.
You can reach the Law Office of George R. Fusner Jr. at
7104 Peach Court
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone- 615-251-0005
Fax- 615-370-8447
Website: www.gfusnerlaw.com
