What You Need to Know about Car Insurance for Learners Permit Drivers
If you’ve got a new driver in the house it’s important to know what type of car insurance is required while they are driving with a learners permit. Car insurance for learners permit drivers varies from company to company and state to state.
Getting a separate car insurance policy for learners permit drivers isn’t always necessary. It is possible for learners permit drivers to get their own policy, however, it isn’t required. If you have a learners permit or are the parent of a learners permit driver you should be aware of the specific laws in your own state as every state is different when it comes to auto insurance.
Learners Permit Car Insurance Regulations
In many states it is illegal to hit the road without any insurance coverage whether you have a learners permit or a regular driver’s license. Car insurance policies vary from state to state. In some states the car insurance coverage stays with the car that’s been insured while in other states the car insurance coverage stays with the driver no matter what car they drive. It’s a good idea to have some kind of insurance even if it isn’t a requirement in your home state.
You should have liability coverage at the very least. Without liability coverage you will be financially accountable for any damage and injuries you may cause in an accident. Imagine causing a 10 car pile-up without insurance. You would be responsible for the damage to all cars involved along with medical care for all those who were injured, not to mention loss of wages, pain & suffering and many other expenses associated with an accident.
Car Insurance for Teenage Learners
If you have a teenage driver living in your home it’s extremely important that they have car insurance. Teen drivers have a lack of skill and low risk perception that can easily put them in danger of having an accident. Drivers with learners permits are especially unskilled and could easily cause an accident by making one small mistake.
Many states actually allow teenagers living at home to be automatically covered by their parent’s insurance plan, although this normally only applies when they are driving a vehicle which is covered on the policy. If your teenager has their own car that they are using to learn to drive you will need to add this car to your policy in most states to be covered.
Temporary Car Insurance for Learners
Some companies will require you to purchase additional insurance for your new driver. This will usually come in the form of a temporary policy. If you are unsure about whether or not your learners permit driver needs additional coverage you can find out with a quick call to your car insurance agent. Adding your teenager to your existing policy will make the transition smoother when they finally get their real license as they will already be covered.
Some car insurance companies won’t charge you any additional premiums for adding your teenage driver while some will raise your rates a bit. Most companies will provide car insurance for learners permit drivers as long as an insured parent or guardian is in the vehicle while they learn to drive.
