Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License?

Certain types of insurance are required by almost everyone, including car insurance if you own a vehicle. If you are in an accident or your vehicle is damaged or stolen, it can protect you and other drivers. When you apply for car insurance, the company will ask for the number of your driver's license. However, even if you do not have a driver's license, you can still obtain the necessary coverage. This is how.

Why You Might Need Car Insurance Even Without a License

If your vehicle is involved in an accident, car insurance can provide financial protection. Even if you don't have a driver's license, you may need car insurance for a variety of reasons. For example, you may require coverage for your vehicle if:

  • You have your learner's permit and are working toward your driver's license but are not covered by a parent's or another person's insurance policy.
  • Your spouse or another member of your household regularly drives your vehicle and does not have car insurance.
  • You are unable to drive due to a medical condition, so someone else drives you in your car when you need to go out.
  • You don't have a medical condition that prevents you from driving, but you still prefer to use a personal driver for your car.
  • You do not drive but own a collectible or vintage vehicle that you would like to have insured. For this purpose, some insurance companies provide specialized classic car insurance.

All of these are scenarios in which car insurance is required even if you are not driving. Without car insurance, you risk having to pay for damages or repairs associated with an accident out of pocket, including injuries to others.

How to Get Car Insurance Without a Driver’s License

If you do not have a driver's license but require car insurance, there are several options available to you. These are some examples:

Find another primary or principal driver

The most straightforward approach is to name someone else as the primary or primary driver on the policy. That individual must possess a valid driver's license or learner's permit.

A primary or principal driver is the person who will be driving the insured vehicle. That could be a:

  • Spouse
  • Child
  • Sibling
  • Caretaker
  • Roommate
  • Parent
  • Or anyone else who intends to operate the vehicle.

By designating someone else as the primary or principal driver, you are informing the insurance company that you will not be driving. If the insurer is concerned about you getting into an accident while driving without a license, this can provide some reassurance. This could make it easier to get approved for a policy and avoid paying high insurance premiums.

Exclude yourself as a driver on the policy

If the insurance company still refuses to cover you, even after you've named someone else as the primary driver, you have another option for obtaining car insurance: You can request to be listed on the policy as an excluded driver.

Being an excluded driver means that if you do drive the car, your auto insurance policy will not cover you or pay any claims resulting from an accident.

If you choose to exclude yourself, the car insurance company may be persuaded to cover the vehicle based on the primary driver's driving history. Keep in mind that the insurance rates you'll pay will be determined by the primary driver's driving record. So, when selecting a primary driver, try to select someone with a clean driving record free of accidents or tickets.

Get a parked car policy instead

A "parked car" or "storage" policy is another option for getting car insurance without a driver's license. This type of coverage protects your vehicle from damage that may occur while it is parked and assumes it is not driven on a regular basis.

For example, the policy may protect you against the following risks:

  • Vandalism or theft
  • Fire
  • Flooding and water damage
  • Falling objects

If you get this type of coverage, a car insurance company may be less concerned that you don't have a driver's license. It may also be less expensive than a traditional auto insurance policy that includes liability and collision coverage.

Can You Get Car Insurance With a Suspended License?

Suspending your driver's license means you can't legally drive, but it doesn't mean you don't need car insurance. If you have had your license suspended due to a DUI or DWI or a serious accident, you may need car insurance to get it reinstated.

To prove that you have insurance, your car insurance company may be required to submit an SR-22 form on your behalf. This document attests to the fact that you have the bare minimum of liability insurance coverage required by your state.

You can request one of these forms from your current car insurance company and attach it to your policy. If your carrier cancels your coverage, you'll have to look for a new insurer who will write an insurance policy and issue the SR-22 form.

Remember that if your license has been suspended, you may be classified as a high-risk driver. This can make finding a car insurance company willing to work with you more difficult. If you do find coverage, you may have to pay much higher premiums than you would if your license hadn't been suspended.

The Bottom Line

Obtaining car insurance without a driver's license can be more difficult, but it is not impossible. When looking for car insurance, be prepared to provide someone else's name as the primary driver. Also, compare policy rates across insurers, especially if you need an SR-22, to ensure you're getting the best deal.

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