My teen daughter already got her license and I’m adding her up to our car insurance here in Houston, Texas. What exactly do I need to do to ensure that I won’t have a sky high car insurance rates increase?

Cale

Houston, TX

I have to be frank with you that the car insurance rates for your teen daughter will not exactly be as cheap as you want them to be. However, it is a great idea that you just want to add her up to your existing car insurance policy there in Houston, Texas. You could be able to ask your car insurance provider if they can offer you discount for being a good driver and for having multiple cars under one policy since you are adding up your teen daughter. They can also be able to offer your daughter a good student discount if she has an average of at least 3.0 in school. This kind of discount is intended for teenagers to young adults aged 23-25. So in some instances, it will be a great idea for you to include your daughter in your car insurance policy.

If you are planning to buy a car for your teen daughter, you may opt to get older model cars because they normally cost less to insure since their parts are not too costly. This means lower risk of the car insurance company so you will have lower cost car insurance premiums. So in case you decide to get an older vehicle, you may opt not to get comprehensive and collision coverage so that your car insurance rates would be cheaper.

I’m so concerned about my daughter because she likes to party a lot and often times drives her way home drunk. My daughter is 17 years old. My husband has once been charged with DWI here in Houston Texas and served more than three months of jail time. What are the consequences that my teen daughter might be facing if she will be caught drunk and driving?

Eileen

Houston, TX

Thanks for asking, Eileen

The Texas law states that a minor (under age 21) commits an offense if he or she operates a motor vehicle in a public place while having any detectable amount of alcohol in the minor’s system.

If your teenage daughter will be charged with DWI in Houston, since she is under 18 years old, the court will require you, as a parent, to be present with your daughter at every court appearance. The parent can be forced to attend by the court. If a minor will be convicted with DWI in Texas, penalties include fine of $500-$2,000, jail time up to 180 days and community service for 20-40 hours.

I suggest you talk to her as soon as possible to make her aware of the consequences she might be facing if she will be charged with DWI.