Disclaimer: Didn't read the thread.
Car insurance rates are based upon many things.
Age (26 and under = $$$)
Gender (males pay more)
Zip code
Coverage type (full or partial i.e., theft, collision, etc)
Liability amounts (State mins. or higher)
Deductible (Low =$$$ and High =$)
Car type (4 cyl. = $ vs. 6 or 8 cyl. = $$$) (sedan = $ vs. coupe = $$$)
Passive restraints (airbags and autobelts)
Daytime running lights
Passive alarm
% of Usage per person
Type of usage (work, pleasure, school, etc.)
Violations
Accidents
Courses taken (Defensive driving course)
Combined insurance ( If you have Home insurance and combine Auto with it, it's lower than a sole Auto policy)
BTW, I've owned 11 different cars and have been driving for the last 21 years.
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt!
One more thing....
You don't necessarily *have* to be put on the policy. If you have a license and live under the same address as the owner, you can drive the car and still be covered in the event of an accident. Theoretically, you could drive for two years and one day have a collision. At that point, your parents insurance would cover the costs but you'll be retroactively placed on the insurance from the last policy renewal, which might have been 6 months prior.
This is also true of borrowing a friends car and getting into a collision. Coverage is just retroactivtly applied here as well.
This is why when your folks renew their policies, theres a question as to whether there are other licensed drivers residing within the household. Whether you truly "reside" there or not, is open to interpretation!
Of course, your folks may not be content with that.
