In regards to this subject there really is no right or wrong answer.
Truth be told it is the actions of the young driver that should determine the
responsibility of the insurance on a vehicle. There are those that show a great
deal of responsibility for their actions and decisions and then there are those
that feel that “everything” should be handed to them. Most of the time, it is the
actions of the parents that determine how a teen responds to responsibility.
Communication between teens and parents should be a priority in regards to driving
and the responsibility of insurance. If the young driver has demonstrated
appropriate responsibility in different areas of their lives such as: school, work,
and sound judgment then the parent or parents could “negotiate” a reasonable
solution as how much and when the teen could help with payments of the insurance on
any vehicle that they are allowed to drive. Of course, this works better when the
vehicle is not in their name. Again, if a parent purchases a vehicle for a teen and
chose to put only the teens name on the title then where did the responsibility turn
to? Communication has once again come to play.
If a teen feels that they should not have to pay for anything, then they also
should not be able to drive a vehicle because they have demonstrated no sense of
responsibility. If a teen wants to work and try to show responsibility then what
better way then to make them help with the vehicle. What also needs to be taken into
consideration is the laws that are implemented in the States of the United States.
In the State of Michigan it is the law to have every vehicle registered and to
have “no-fault” insurance. It does not state that you have to have your driving age
teen on your insurance but it would be wise. The question would be, does your teen
know the laws? Nine times out of ten they do not.
In conclusion, it is going to be up to the parent and the teen to determine who is
responsible and to what degree the responsibility is to be handed down.