Adding a Teen Driver to Your Insurance? Here’s What Chicagoland Parents Need to Know Free Insurance Quote in Minutes Getting your teenager behind the wheel is a milestone moment — equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. What most parents don’t expect is the sticker shock that comes when they add a teen driver to their auto insurance policy. Rates can jump significantly, but with the right strategy, you can protect your new driver without breaking the bank. Why Teen Driver Insurance Costs More (And Why It’s Worth It) Insurance is priced on risk, and statistically, teen drivers represent the highest risk on the road. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. Insurers price policies accordingly — but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying top dollar. The good news: as an independent insurance agency, Trunnell Insurance Services shops your teen driver’s policy across 20+ top-rated carriers. Different companies price teen driver risk very differently, and finding the right fit can save your family hundreds of dollars a year. When Should You Add Your Teen to Your Policy? This is one of the most common questions we hear from Naperville and Chicagoland parents. The short answer: as soon as they get their learner’s permit. Many parents wait until their teen gets their full license, but this can create a coverage gap. If your teenager is involved in an accident while driving on a learner’s permit and isn’t listed on your policy, your claim could be complicated or denied entirely. Some carriers cover permitted drivers under the household policy automatically, but others require explicit listing. The safest move is to call your agent the day your teen gets their permit — or better yet, before they start driving. How Much Will Your Rates Go Up? There’s no sugarcoating it: adding a teen driver will increase your premium. The size of that increase depends on several factors: Your teen’s age and gender — younger drivers and male drivers statistically cost more to insure. The vehicle they’ll be driving — a newer, higher-value car costs more to insure than an older, simpler one. Your current carrier — some companies are simply more competitive for teen drivers than others. Your location — urban and suburban areas like Naperville, Aurora, and the broader Chicagoland market have their own rating factors. Your existing driving record — a clean household record can offset some of the increase. On average, Illinois families can expect their auto premium to increase by 50–100% or more when adding a teen driver. But with the right discounts and carrier, many families do significantly better than that average. Discounts That Can Bring the Cost Down Here’s where working with an independent agent pays off. We know which carriers offer the best discounts for teen drivers — and how to stack them effectively. Good Student Discount Most major carriers offer a discount for students who maintain a B average or higher (typically a 3.0 GPA). This discount can range from 5% to 25% depending on the carrier. Keep copies of your teen’s report cards — you’ll need to submit them to qualify. Driver’s Education Credit Completing a state-approved driver’s education course isn’t just good for safety — it can reduce your premium. Make sure your teen takes a certified course, not just the school’s in-house program, to maximize this discount. Telematics and Usage-Based Programs Many carriers now offer apps or small devices that monitor driving behavior — things like hard braking, speeding, and phone use. Teens who drive safely can earn meaningful discounts, sometimes 10–30% off. Programs like Progressive’s Snapshot, Nationwide’s SmartRide, and others are worth exploring. Talk to a Local Agent Who Knows the Chicagoland Market There’s a lot of noise in the insurance market — national advertisers, online quote tools, apps promising instant savings. What they can’t offer is a licensed advisor who knows the specific carriers that perform best for Chicagoland families with teen drivers, understands Illinois law, and will pick up the phone when something goes wrong. At Trunnell Insurance Services, we’ve helped hundreds of Naperville-area families navigate the teen driver transition. We’ll compare your options across 20+ carriers, help you identify every available discount, and make sure your family is protected — at a price that makes sense. Give us a call at (630) 947-7980 or get your free quote online at TrunnellInsurance.com. No obligation, no pressure — just straight answers from people who know insurance. Call Today – (630) 947-7980

Don’t Hit the Road (or Water) Without It: Your Guide to Insuring Summer Recreational Vehicles Free Insurance Quote in Minutes Summer is finally here, and for millions of Americans, that means one thing: it’s time to get moving. Whether you’re firing up the motorcycle for a weekend ride, launching the boat at the lake, rolling out in the RV for a family road trip, or hitching up the camper for a nights under the stars — the season of adventure is officially open. But before you head out, there’s one question worth asking: Are you actually covered? Your standard auto insurance policy almost certainly doesn’t extend to your recreational vehicles. Each one comes with its own unique risks, its own set of coverage options, and its own reasons why going without protection can turn a great summer memory into a financial nightmare. Here’s what you need to know. 🏍️ Motorcycle Insurance There’s nothing quite like the freedom of the open road on two wheels. But motorcycles are statistically more exposed to risk than passenger vehicles — and standard auto policies don’t cover them. What motorcycle insurance typically covers: Liability — Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others Collision — Repairs or replaces your bike after an accident Comprehensive — Covers theft, vandalism, weather, and non-collision damage Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist — Protects you when the other driver doesn’t have adequate coverage Medical Payments / PIP — Covers your medical bills regardless of fault A few things to think about: Motorcycle insurance can often be suspended or reduced during the winter months when the bike is in storage, then restored when riding season begins. If you have a custom bike with aftermarket parts, make sure your policy reflects the true replacement value — standard policies often undervalue custom equipment. ⛵ Boat Insurance Whether it’s a fishing boat, a pontoon, a ski boat, or a cabin cruiser, your watercraft deserves its own protection. Homeowners insurance sometimes includes limited coverage for small boats, but it’s usually far too low to cover a real loss — and it doesn’t cover liability on the water at all. What boat insurance typically covers: Physical Damage — Hull, motor, and onboard equipment Liability — If you injure someone or damage another vessel Uninsured Boater — Similar to uninsured motorist coverage, for on-water incidents Medical Payments — For injuries to you and your passengers Towing and Assistance — If you break down on the water (this one saves the day more than you’d think) A few things to think about: Where you boat matters. Coverage on inland lakes vs. coastal or ocean waters can differ significantly, and some policies have navigation limits — meaning they won’t cover you past a certain distance from shore. Make sure your policy matches where you actually boat. If you transport your boat on a trailer, ask about coverage for the trailer itself, as it’s often excluded unless specifically added. 🚐 RV Insurance Your RV is essentially a home on wheels — and it needs to be insured like one. Standard auto insurance will typically cover an RV while it’s in transit, but what about while you’re parked and living in it? That’s where dedicated RV insurance fills the gap. What RV insurance typically covers: Collision & Comprehensive — For accidents and non-collision damage Liability — Both on and off the road Personal Property / Contents — Clothing, electronics, and belongings inside the RV Total Loss Replacement — If your RV is brand new and totaled, some policies replace it with a new one instead of paying depreciated value Emergency Expense Coverage — Hotel and travel costs if your RV becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss Full-Timer Coverage — If your RV is your primary residence, you’ll need enhanced liability and personal property protection comparable to a homeowner’s policy A few things to think about: Motorhomes (Class A, B, and C) are insured differently than towable RVs (travel trailers, fifth wheels). If you’re a full-timer or spend more than a few months a year living in your RV, tell your agent — standard RV policies may not provide adequate protection for full-time use. 🏕️ Camper & Travel Trailer Insurance Campers and travel trailers don’t have their own engines, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need their own insurance. While your tow vehicle’s liability coverage may extend to a trailer while it’s being towed, it won’t cover the trailer itself — and it won’t cover anything once you’re parked at the campsite. What camper/trailer insurance typically covers: Physical Damage — Collision and comprehensive for the trailer structure Contents Coverage — Furniture, appliances, camping gear, and personal belongings Liability — If someone is injured at your campsite or in connection with your trailer Vacation Liability — Specific to campers; covers liability incidents while the trailer is parked at a campsite (similar to homeowners liability) Roadside Assistance — Coverage if the trailer has a blowout, gets stuck, or needs a tow A few things to think about: Pop-up campers, teardrop trailers, and small travel trailers may qualify for lower-cost policies than larger fifth wheels or luxury toy haulers. If your camper stays parked at a seasonal campground all summer, make sure your policy covers it while it’s stationary for extended periods. Getting It All Right Before Summer Heats Up The single biggest mistake recreational vehicle owners make is assuming their existing policies have them covered. They often don’t — and discovering that gap after an accident, a theft, or a weather event is a painful lesson. Before you head out this summer, a quick conversation with your insurance agent can confirm: That each vehicle has appropriate coverage for how you actually use it That coverage limits reflect current replacement values (not what you paid five years ago) That liability limits are high enough to protect your assets That any special situations — full-time RV living, coastal boating, custom motorcycles — are addressed At Trunnell Insurance Services, we work with more than 30 A+