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Teen drivers spend countless hours dreaming of owning their first car.  As a parent, what is a good choice for your teen?  Below are five tips to consider when choosing your teen's first car.  These tips are designed to help protect young drivers, these suggestions focus on safety, which also help to lower the cost of car insurance for your teenager.

1. Watch the speed.  Driving fast cars with turbochargers and high horsepower carries significant risk.  Car accidents are the leading cause of death among 15 to 20 year olds, and in 37% of those accidents the primary cause is speeding.  Choose a vehicle with a four-cylinder engine and average horsepower,
2. Grounded in reality.  When it comes to buying a car, the bigger is not always the better.  SUV's and pick-up trucks have a high center-of-gravity, which makes them less stable and more prone to rollover than traditional mid sized sedans - especially for inexperienced drivers.  Reality Check:  Pick-up Trucks are two times more likely, and SUV's are three times more likely, to rollover than traditional passenger cars.
3. Buy 1997 or later.  While pre-owned cars are less expensive, older models may be more costly to insure - and they often do not have the modern safety features on newer cars.  Focus on models manufactured 1997 or later - the year airbags were required in all cars.  Other important safety features include side airbags, anti-lock brakes and roll stability control. 
4. Know the Score:  Whether shopping for a new or pre-owned vehicle, always check the crash-test scores (rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).  Click here to access crash-test scores.
5. Ask for a Rate Quote:  Before you go car shopping, inquire about car insurance for your teen.  Find out how much it will cost to insure your teen in his or her new car.  Rates can often vary by hundreds and even thousands of dollars.  Paschall Insurance Group offers some of the lowest rates available for families with teen drivers.

Following these tips will help reduce the risks often associated with teen driving as well as lessen parents anxieties.