Evidence suggests that homeschool students exhibit levels of maturity and responsibility exceeding peers of the same age. Unfortunately, the insurance industry has fallen behind others in addressing the unique qualities of homeschoolers.
I�m speculating here, but I believe this is due to the variations in state law and reporting requirements for homeschooling. It may be difficult for carriers to identify the cream of the crop of this category. Some states require third party verification of a student�s progress or parents must first acquire a teaching certificate before they may homeschool their children. Unlike most other states, Indiana is perhaps the most condusive to empowering parents to educate their own children and the least restrictive in its requirements.
My industry�s approach tends to be one-size-fits-all. If a company cannot identify a factor which can be applied to all markets (i.e.,. every state in which they do business), they won�t bother.
It is exciting to see a change in this trend. Family-friendly, regional insurance companies such as Indiana Farmers Mutual are thinking outside the box and now reward qualifying homeschool students with the same 10% good student discount their peers in public and private school can obtain.
This is one of many advantages of insuring with a regional carrier such as Indiana Farmers. Because they only do business in Indiana, they are able to address the specific needs of this market. They are not confined by the one-size-fits-all standard that many national insurers are faced with.
Congratulations to you Indiana Farmers. It is rewarding to see such industry leadership from a company in Indiana.
Dave MacDonald is the webmaster of Confessions of an Insurance Agent, a site which provides infomation about blog.insurance4me.info/category/car-insurance/young-drivers/ Car Insurance for Young Drivers.