Does a permit driver need insurance?
Nearly all states require their drivers to have at least some liability car insurance, and this applies to drivers with permits as well. It's generally best to purchase more than just the state minimum insurance when possible. Minimum coverage often isn't enough to pay for all the damages in a severe accident. Once the insurer has paid up to the policy limit, it's off the hook, leaving the policyholder to pay for any remaining damages on their own.
When permit drivers need insurance
Permit drivers typically need to purchase their own car insurance in the following situations:
- The permit driver is 18 or older.
- The permit driver's parent or guardian doesn't have an auto insurance policy they can join.
- The permit driver lives separately from their parent or guardian and isn't attending school.
- The permit driver has already purchased their own vehicle.
In these instances, parents or guardians can't add their permit driver to their policy. This leaves purchasing a separate insurance policy as the only option, and it's often the more expensive choice.
When permit drivers do not need car insurance
Permit drivers may not need to purchase their own auto insurance if a parent or guardian can add them to their existing policy. Though adding a teen driver to an insurance policy always raises rates significantly, this is usually the smarter way to go.
The permit driver can take advantage of any car insurance discounts the adults on the policy have earned to reduce their rates. For example, if the insurer gives the parent a multi-policy discount that reduces their premium a little, this could help the others on the policy score lower rates as well.
How do you get car insurance with a learner's permit?
Getting car insurance with a learner's permit is the same as purchasing a policy with a valid driver's license. First, the permit driver needs to shop around and compare rates to see which company offers the best deal.
Most companies will enable drivers to get quotes and even purchase the policy online. However, if the driver is a minor, they may have to contact an insurance agent for assistance.
Once they're happy with the policy, the driver pays the first month's premium (or six months if they're paying in full) and the policy remains in effect as long as the driver keeps making the payments.
How do you add a learner driver to an existing insurance policy?
Those looking to add a permit driver to their existing insurance policy can do so by contacting their insurance agent. This can often be done the same day, and it must be done before the permit driver can safely get behind the wheel.
The policyholder will need to know some basic information about the permit driver, including:
- Full name
- Gender
- Age
- Accident history, if any
- Vehicle make and model (if different from the vehicles already on the policy)
- Details of the driver's permit
How to lower car insurance cost
Insuring a new driver can be tough on policyholders' wallets because they're more likely to get in accidents. Insurance companies recognize this, so they charge new drivers higher rates to account for these risks.
It's not realistic to expect to get a permit driver's rates down to those of a seasoned, accident-free adult driver's, but it is possible to reduce costs somewhat by taking the following steps:
- Shop around: Those looking to insure a new driver should begin their search with some of the best cheap car insurance for teens. They may also want to shop around for a better deal every year or so.
- Look for discounts: Several insurers offer teen-specific discounts, including student away at school and good student discounts. This could help reduce the premiums teen drivers pay.
- Choose a high deductible: Deductibles are the out-of-pocket costs a driver pays when they need to file a claim while premiums are the monthly costs they pay to keep the policy in force. Typically, choosing a higher deductible reduces the monthly premium costs.
