“My daughter was already nervous about getting behind the wheel, and then that pesky shopping cart stand had the nerve to be in the parking lot,” Adam said. The result of his daughter’s driving exercise was a rather long scrape down the passenger side doors. “She’s rattled, so it’s important to me that I show her mistakes happen, they can be fixed, and you get right back behind the wheel.”
New drivers do make mistakes when they’re learning how to drive. Whether it’s getting much too close to the shopping cart carrel or a more serious fender bender, learning how to address automotive mishaps is part of every young driver’s education. Here are three things you’ll want to teach your young driver:
#1: The driver always decides where the car goes after an accident.
Young drivers often don’t know they get to decide what auto body repair shop their car goes to after an accident. If there’s a shop your family always uses, that may be your first choice. It’s also a good idea to teach your teen how to research the best auto body shop nearby. This is a great skill for them to have especially if their life plans involve going away to college or moving away from the family home.
#2: Get help filing insurance claims.
Young drivers don’t often know the ins and outs of filing an insurance claim after an accident. If you’re in a position to guide your teen through that process, wonderful! If not, impress upon them the importance of choosing an auto body shop that can provide this critical assistance. Errors and mistakes on insurance claims can greatly delay payment or even cause claims to be denied, so it’s important they learn how to do it right.
#3: You have a range of options when it comes to auto repairs.
When a young driver’s just been in their first car accident, they’re often overwhelmed regarding what needs to be fixed. Furthermore, they may not understand the difference between mechanical repairs, required for the safe operation of the vehicle, and cosmetic damage, which is addressed with bodywork and paint. Explaining these terms to your teen can help them make better decisions.