TOPEKA–Kansas teenagers will soon be out of school for the summer, and with that will come increased opportunities for them to drive their own vehicles to work or ballgames or to hang out with their friends.

While the freedom and independence teenagers feel behind the wheel is an important rite of passage in their lives, it can also be expensive in terms of vehicle insurance. Our consumer assistance specialists at the Kansas Insurance Department have put together some tips on what teens and their parents could do to keep down those costs. A few of these ideas are listed below.

• If you or your teen are considering a vehicle purchase, consider the cost of insurance. Insurance rates vary with the type and model of vehicle. Often, smaller vehicles carry a higher insurance premium because of the cost of repair. The same is true for performance cars.

• If you purchase an older used car, consider not covering it with collision coverage as a way to cut expenses. The cost of the coverage could exceed the value of an older car.

• If you have a higher deductible (the amount you would have to pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in), the lower your premiums might be.

• Parents, if your teenager doesn’t own a car (the title is not in his or her name), you might be able to have the teen rated on the family’s personal insurance as an occasional operator.

• Because teens are more likely to drive with their friends as passengers, talk to your agent about increasing the liability coverage on your policy. That would provide greater protection for everyone.

• Check with your insurance agent on discounts for having multiple vehicles insured with the same company; for your teen having good grades; and for your teen maintaining a good driving record.

Speaking of good driving records, auto insurance companies will usually rate you and your family members into three categories – nonstandard, standard and preferred. Nonstandard premiums are higher and are often assigned to higher-risk drivers, including younger drivers with less experience, as well as those with moving traffic violations and accidents.

Standard premiums are assigned to moderate risk drivers who may have a moving traffic violation in the last three to five years. Preferred premiums are assigned to drivers who have no moving violations or accidents in the last three to five years.

Obviously, we all want to be in the preferred category, but it might not be in the cards for a teen driver. Remember, too, that each insurance company has its own underwriting guidelines that will determine where you fall in the three categories.

Our KID publication “Kansas Auto Insurance and Shopper’s Guide” provides more tips on saving money for the whole family. Our 2015 version should be available soon on our website, www.ksinsurance.org, for download and printing.

Also, watch for our upcoming new video on teens and driving. We will post it on our website, on YouTube and on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/kansasinsurance department. We invite you to “like” us on our Facebook page.

Ken Selzer is the Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.