Whether you are the parent of a teen driver or the recent recipient of a learner’s permit yourself, you might have questions about insurance. With that in mind, we have created this helpful guide to learner’s permit insurance.
Below, we’ll outline everything you need to know about insuring drivers who have a learner’s permit.
If you know what type of coverage you need and would like to start comparing car insurance rates right now, we can help with that, too. Our free rate comparison tool can provide you with car insurance quotes from top companies. The best part is that you can get quotes without disclosing all of your personal information.
What is a Learner’s Permit?
A learner’s permit, or learner’s license, is a special type of driver’s license that carries quite a few restrictions.
Currently, all 50 states require teens to first obtain a learner’s permit before they are eligible for a regular driver’s license. If your teen wants to drive before they turn 18 years old, then they will need to first obtain a learner’s permit.
While all states require these permits, the exact age at which you can get one varies. For example, Florida allows teens to get a learner’s permit at age 15. They must have the permit for one full year before they can apply for their regular driver’s license.
The restrictions that go with a learner’s permit also vary by state. However, most learner’s permits prevent the person from driving unless a licensed adult is in the front passenger seat.
Do You Need Insurance to Drive with a Learner’s Permit?
Since virtually every learner’s permit requires a licensed driver to be in the car with the teen, the teen driver may not need their own coverage.
Keep in mind that this varies by insurance company, however. Most insurers assume that the supervising driver will be the teen’s parent. However, the best solution is to ask your current insurance provider and find out what its requirements are.
Some insurers require that every person of driving age be listed on a policy. If your insurer requires this, then your teen should be listed, even if they have not obtained their learner’s permit yet. Instead of being listed as a covered driver, your teen will be listed as “excluded.”
Can I Be Added to My Parents’ Policy?
Yes, young drivers that live at home with their parents or guardians can be added to their parents’ insurance policy. In fact, this is usually the best option for teen drivers. This is because teens are considered to be high-risk drivers, which means that they will pay higher premiums.
College students that only live with their parents for part of the year can also be listed on their parents’ coverage. This allowance applies even if the student attends college in another state.
Unfortunately, people that live on their own and have a learner’s permit will have a difficult time finding coverage. They will likely pay higher premiums and will need to find an insurer with more lenient requirements.
No matter what situation you find yourself in, comparing multiple quotes is a great way to find the best rates.
How Do I Insure a Driver with a Learner’s Permit on My Car?
When your teen driver needs learner’s permit insurance, adding them to your policy is extremely easy. All you need to do is contact your insurance company and provide them with relevant information about the driver.
Make sure to ask the company agent how it will impact your insurance rates. Also, be clear about the timing in which you need the coverage to go into effect.
When you’re adding a new driver to your policy, it is a great time to shop around. Find out how much your new coverage will be with your existing provider, but obtain quotes from several other companies too. Doing so can save you hundreds of dollars, while also ensuring that your teen driver is protected.
What Insurance Companies Accept Learner’s Permits?
Most insurance providers will insure drivers with a learner’s permit, especially if they are being added to an adult’s policy. Just make sure to check with your current insurance company or the provider that you are considering buying a policy from to be sure that they can be covered.
If you fail to provide your insurer with accurate information about who is driving your vehicles, they may drop your coverage or deny claims.
How to Save Money on Auto Insurance for Learner Drivers
When you add a learner driver to your policy, your rates will increase. While there is no way around this tough reality, you can maximize savings by taking advantage of auto insurance discounts.
Many major insurers, like State Farm, offer discounts specifically for young drivers. These include good student discounts and defensive driving discounts.
Our Recommendations for Auto Insurance
Fortunately, getting learner’s permit insurance is a fairly simple process. Now that you know how to get coverage, it is time to get connected with some great insurance providers. Whether you need full coverage, basic liability insurance, or another kind of policy, we can help you find the perfect fit.
Try our no obligation rate comparison tool below. Within minutes, you will receive quotes from top companies like Progressive, State Farm, and GEICO.
Below, our experts give you their take on a few of these great companies. If you find a policy that you like, we can even show you how to buy coverage in 6 easy steps.
State Farm: Best Student Discounts
If you need to insure a student driver, State Farm is one of the best options available. While it did not earn our top spot, our experts did rate the company extremely well. State Farm earned a cumulative score of 9.1 out of 10 in our review.
State Farm offers several student discounts. For example, it offers a good student discount if your teen driver maintains good grades (3.0 GPA or higher).
State Farm may also provide discounts if your teen completes a driver’s education course, but it is best to check the specific offerings available in your state.
GEICO: Best Overall
GEICO earned a cumulative score of 9.1 out of 10 in our review. The insurance company is known for flexible coverage options, great rates, and exceptional customer service. Our experts also like that GEICO offers rideshare and mechanical breakdown coverage, as not all insurers do.
FAQ: Learner’s Permit Auto Insurance
Can my parents add me to their insurance policy?
Yes, you can be insured on your parents’ policy as long as you live with them. If you are a college student and live out of state for only part of the year, you can still be covered under their policy.
Can I drive a car as a learner without insurance?
Some insurance providers will allow you to receive coverage under your parents’ policy without having to be added to the policy. This is because the learner’s permits in some states require adult drivers to be in the vehicle with the teen when the teen is driving.
Auto insurance companies usually assume that this person will be an insured parent. The best solution is to speak with your insurance agent to discuss your options and the various specifications of your coverage.
Can I own a car with a learner’s permit?
Some states will let you register a car in your name with a learner’s permit, while others will not. You will need to check with your local DMV to find out the specific requirements in your state.
What happens if you crash with a learner’s permit?
If a driver with a learner’s permit is involved in a crash, then their insurance premiums will go up. Fortunately, some car insurance companies allow individuals to take classes, such as a defensive driving course, to receive accident forgiveness. These courses are offered through accredited traffic schools.
It is also important to note that all drivers, especially teens, should do their best to maintain a clean driving record.
How much will my insurance go up after adding a teenage driver to my policy?
The answer to this question depends on several factors. However, anyone will experience a rate increase when they add a teenage driver to their policy. This is because teenage drivers are considered to be high-risk. The good news is that by looking for teenager-specific savings, such as good student and safe driving discounts, you can at least save some money.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car insurance provider to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Our in-depth rating system takes into account market share, coverage, auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each insurer is given a weighted score in four categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto insurance companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
