How a Credit Card Can Help a Teen in an Emergency

When you give your teenager a credit card or add him to your credit card account, it could be beneficial in an emergency. Teenagers aren't always responsible enough to make sure they have enough cash on hand, especially when they're forced to deal with unexpected circumstances. Credit cards provide a fast and easy payment method when teenagers need access to money quickly.

  1. Expensive Repairs and Purchases

    • Life isn't always predictable, so a teenager may need a credit card to pay for expensive car repairs. Towing charges, tire replacements, dead batteries and mechanical failures can be costly, especially for a teenager who doesn't have access to cash. Credit cards also come in handy when there's a family emergency in another city and your teenager needs to purchase tickets or airfare. Your teen might get in a bad situation where the person he's riding with gets drunk, and he needs to get a taxi or pay for an alternate form of transportation.

    Safer Than Carrying Cash

    • A credit card can help your teen in an emergency because it's safer than carrying cash. It's easy to steal or lose loose cash, but a credit card requires authentication. A thief can't do much with an unauthorized credit card, especially if he needs to sign or enter a PIN number to use it. If your teen loses her credit card or it gets stolen, report it to the credit card company. You won't have to pay for purchases you didn't make, and the company will stop accepting additional charges until you the issue is cleared up.

    Medical Emergencies

    • Giving your teen a credit card could help with unexpected medical expenses. If your teen has to take a relative to a medical facility or he has a personal medical emergency, a credit card is a reliable payment method. Most hospitals and doctor's offices bill insurance companies before requesting payment, but if your plan has a co-pay or a high deductible, your teen might be required to pay up front. Credit cards are also advantageous if your teen needs to purchase expensive medications.

    Gas and Food

    • A credit card is a lifeline when your teenager runs low on gas and doesn't have the cash to get more. Most gas stations accept credit cards at the pump, but your teen can always pay with a credit card at the register. You don't want your teenager to get stranded with no way to pay for gas. In an emergency, your teen might also need to purchase food or supplies. For example, you may have to work late and need your teenager to buy groceries or purchase dinner at a restaurant.

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