driving school in San Jose/Santa Clara ; new driver insurance

ECept Education > Driver Education

Q. After living many years in the south bay area, I have finally decided to take the plunge and learn to drive, since there are some trips that my bicycle and public transit just don't permit when living in suburbs. I learned the driving code with the DMV handbook and passed the DMV written test easily the first time in november with 2 errors (apparently a good enough score to be a driving instructor around here ;)). However, I don't have any experience behind the wheel. I just went driving once with my partner in an empty corporate parking lot on a week-end, but he didn't have any patience at all for me, so I'm looking for a good driving school / instructor in the Santa Clara or San Jose area. Please let me know of any good or bad experience. I have already decided on the car I want - an environmentally friendly 2001 Toyota Prius hybrid car. Since it takes a very long time to get one, I have already placed the order with a local dealer, and the car should come around mid-may. At that time, I hope to be recently licensed to drive the car, so I will be needing insurance. I am under 25 so apparently I'm at a disadvantage for getting insurance. I will turn 25 in June, but I have heard this won't help my insurance rates as I still won't have any driving record. I have looked at several insurance web sites. Many won't insure new drivers at all and require a 1.5 year or 3-year driving record. I have also talked to some insurance companies willing to insure me - including Allstate with whom I have my homeowner's policy, but the rate quoted was prohibitive : between $2000 - $2500 for 6 months - with the highest liability limits (100/300k), comprehensive/collision coverage. I need the high limits since I own a house and have assets that I wouldn't want to put at risk. But at $4000 to $5000 a year for insurance, the annual insurance premium is 1/5th to 1/4th the price of the car itself, and I don't like to have such huge recurring expenses ! Can anyone recommend an insurance company with more affordable premiums for new drivers ? $2000 to $2500 a year I could accept, but for 6 months it just seems like too much. I don't have parents in this country that could add me to their insurance. My partner has insurance with CSAA and is paying only $800 per year on his 1997 Nissan Sentra GXE - with 100/300 limit but no collision coverage. He is also under 25 (he will be 24 in a few days) but has been driving since he was 16 and has a very good driving record. Are there insurance companies that will give discounts if we get a joint insurance ? Also, does it matter who the new car will be registered to ? ie. could the premium go lower if I register the new car to my partner as he is a more experienced driver, even though I would be the primary driver on the car ? Thanks in advance for any tips !

A. Your cheapest option is probably to get married and onto your partner's policy. However, I realize that there may be reasons you don't want to do that. I don't think you can get on his policy any other way, but he might ask his Ins. Co. My wife and I are both under 25, we have two newer cars (96 and 98), and clean driving records. We pay about $1250 per year for the minimum coverage plus comprehensive and collision. We don't own a house, so we don't need the higher liability limits. We have Safeway Direct Insurance, headquartered in Arcadia. They were a pleasure to deal with when our car was attacked by blowing sand a couple of years ago. A search on the web turned up their regular phone number 626-301-1955. They have a toll-free number, but I don't have it handy. You might ask them what kind of rates they will give you. When we first came here, I had

Ask an Education Question

Other Questions:

I ve got to do my driving test im worried abought the hazzard perception test and maintainence test they have brought in anyone passed them recently ?If you're remotely familiar with a computer you'll piss the hazard perception too. Basically ...

Would I be able to exchange my UK driving licence for Ontario's Driving licence or do I have to take a driving test.I'm afraid for Ontario you'll have to take a test. Ontario has a graduated lisence system, starting with a basic written test to ...

My son has received two tickets and is under the age of 18.He attended Violator School within the past 18 months and after reading the California Vehicle Code extensively,I find nowhere that says it can only be taken once every 18 months.I've hear...

I leave For Texas March 2nd, I was wondering if any of you have any info on when I can apply for my Texas driving Licence and how I go about it?1. When you get to Texas, the first thing you want to do is get your SS#. K1's are allowed to get a SS...

I'm new to this group and have a question. I am considering taking up truck driving. I am a software engineer who was laid off in October 2002 and have been unable to find work. I see dozens of jobs in the classifieds every day for drivers with CD...

ECept Education Menu

Ask a Question
About Us / Me
Contact Me
Privacy Policy

Sitemap

Quality Education Links

US Department of Education
APA Student Resources
Student Gateway to the US Government
Education.com
Education News

Q&A Subjects