Parents should be prepared to pay for their children’s motor insurance. My reasoning is based upon three considerations, the relationship between the parent and the child, social responsibility and affordability.
Modern society is heavily dependent upon the ownership and use of the motor car. In some locations a car is required to gain access to education, work and a social life. Rather than rely upon parental lifts the ownership of a car is a symbol of teenage independence. The debate as to who pays the car insurance usually occurs at that critical time when the child is trying to assert his/her independence.
Foremost of us the teenage years are not a simple process, child one day, adult the next. In some fields we a re very advanced, in others we benefit from parental support. Part of the art of the parent during these years involves identifying when to hand out responsibility and when to provide parental support. This decision is especially difficult in the case of driving. The transition is abrupt. One day the child does not have a license. On the next he/she can drive independently and carry a great deal of responsibility. A good parent can help the child become a responsible driver by taking an interest in their insurance and risk management decisions.
Third party motor insurance is compulsory for good reason. It provides financial protection against the consequences of a motor accident. In a horrific case these consequences could involve compensation for severe injury and brain damage
Motor insurance for teenage or inexperienced drivers is expensive. It is expensive in real terms and is very expensive in terms of affordability. Most young people are still in education or in low paid jobs. Temptations that allow them to avoid insurance should be avoided. In England there is an emerging view that parents should be responsible for the criminal acts of their children. Parent should be prepared pay the motor insurance to ensure that the child is driving within the law.
The main argument concerns affordability. The cost of motor insurance for young people is punitive and can be avoided. Money can be saved by using a multiple vehicle policy. The parent can set this up then name the child as a named driver on the policy.
These arguments lead me to the conclusion that the parent should pay for the motor insurance of an inexperienced teenage driver.