Can you get car insurance without a driver’s license?

While there are several reasons why an unlicensed driver would want to buy car insurance, doing so without a valid license may be difficult.

Buying car insurance without a driver’s license may seem contradictory – after all, why would you need car insurance if you can’t legally drive a car? You may, however, obtain car insurance without a license — and in some cases, this may be the best option.

While it is possible to buy car insurance without a license, the procedure is complicated because most insurance providers require applicants to have a valid drivers license.

Obviously, you run into a dilemma right away: how will you obtain vehicle insurance without a driver’s license? And, maybe more significantly, why would you want to?

Indeed, there are a number of circumstances in which obtaining auto insurance without a license is both necessary and practicable.

Maybe you own a car but don’t have a driver’s license; yet, your spouse or children will drive and will need car insurance. You can also arrange for someone to drive you to work or appointments if you are unable to drive.

Alternatively, if you already have a permit and are working toward a license, you might think about getting insurance.

Reasons To Buy Car Insurance Without A Drivers License

Justifications for purchasing automobile insurance without a valid driver’s license
There are numerous circumstances in which purchasing auto insurance without a license may be prudent. Consider the following situations in which you may wish to obtain automobile insurance despite the fact that you do not possess a legal driver’s license:

1. Obtaining car insurance for a minor
   The majority of states prohibit individuals under the age of 18 from contracting. This means that if you have a relative who drives, such as a teenage child, you may be required to be covered under their auto insurance policy, even if you do not possess a driver’s license. Car insurance is more expensive for children in high school and college, so it’s worth investigating student car insurance discounts to help offset those high prices.
2. Obtaining car insurance for a personal driver
   If you have a personal chauffeur who drives you around, you may not require a license, but you do need auto insurance for any vehicles you own. If you are unable to drive due to age or health concerns but rely on someone else to transport you to appointments or work, you still require vehicle insurance even if you are not the driver. Car insurance premiums begin to rise as you approach retirement age, since insurers view older drivers as more risky. If, on the other hand, you are not listed as the primary driver on your policy, the age element should be irrelevant, and you may even qualify for certain savings on your auto insurance policy.

3. Obtaining car insurance while using a vehicle with permission
   The majority of states issue provisional licenses, sometimes referred to as learner’s permits, to individuals learning to drive. If you’re a teen with a permit, you should be included on your parents’ insurance coverage. However, if you own a car and are not covered under a household policy, you may be required to acquire auto insurance while holding a permit. If, however, you are under the age of 18, the coverage must also include an adult.
4. Insuring a vintage or classic automobile
   Assume you own an automobile that is worthy of being displayed in a museum but is not used. While you may not require collision or personal injury coverage, you should secure it against total or partial loss just like you would any other value or collectible. The majority of these sorts of unique auto insurance policies are supplied by specialized insurers and may also include regular automotive coverages in the event that you obtain a license and desire to drive one day.
5. Obtaining car insurance if you are unable to drive due to medical issues
   If you are unable to drive due to a physical disability but require a caregiver to drive your vehicle for you, you may be able to insure your vehicle and add your carer (or caregivers) as a covered driver. Similarly to a coverage for a chauffeured vehicle, your automobile insurance might cover your vehicle even if you are unable to drive it.

Get car insurance without a driver’s license

A valid driver’s license number is often required when applying for auto insurance. If you do not have a valid driver’s license, you will be unable to furnish that number — and insurance companies are wary of insuring an unlicensed driver.

However, in some instances, even without a license, you can get car insurance. Rather than providing your personal driver’s license number, some firms may allow you to apply for a policy using the principal driver’s or primary driver’s name and license number. Thus, you are covered under the policy, your vehicles are insured, but you are not really a driver.

Who is eligible to be the primary driver on an car insurance policy?

Any licensed driver, regardless of whether they reside with you or not, may be designated as your primary driver. If you insure a vehicle for your spouse, you should designate them as the primary driver. If it’s for a child, you include their name. If you’re purchasing insurance for a car in order for your roommate, caretaker, or friend to drive you about, you’ll need their name and driver’s license number.

Insurance companies use your driving record as one of several considerations when determining your vehicle insurance price. That is why it is necessary to provide a driver’s license number. However, if you are not a named driver on your own policy, the carrier will calculate your rate using the primary driver’s driving history.

The insurer wants to set rates based on anticipated vehicle activity; if someone else will be driving the vehicle the most of the time, factoring their driving record into the calculation of your coverage rate makes reasonable.

What is a driver who is prohibited from operating a vehicle?

If you locate an insurer willing to offer you a policy without a license, you may be required to list yourself as an excluded driver, which means your auto insurance will not apply while you are driving.

You cannot drive a car without a legal license, and your insurance company wants to ensure that you are aware of this – and that they will not compensate you if you do. Car insurance does not entitle you to drive a car – only a valid driver’s license entitles you to do so. You cannot drive legally if you do not have a driver’s license.

If you want to obtain a license in the future, you must contact your insurance company to be added as a driver to the policy – you will not be protected until you do so, even if you obtain your license. Bear in mind that your rates may alter if you obtain your license and add yourself as a driver to the policy – as a new driver, you will almost certainly be charged more than your prior primary driver.

Bear in mind that not all insurers will allow you to add an additional primary driver to your policy. If you lack a license, you may have to search around extensively to locate a company ready to hire you.

Many of the nation’s largest auto insurance companies, such as State Farm, USAA, and Allstate, would refuse to insure you if you lack a valid driver’s license. This leaves smaller regional carriers as your only option.

Be suspicious of insurers who do not need you to provide any information about your license. These are often smaller insurers, not large players, and you may not be receiving the greatest pricing or coverage with them, as rates and coverage are determined by your driving record. It is preferable to avoid carriers that do not require this information.

An independent broker can assist you in determining how to purchase a policy without a valid license and may also assist you in determining other coverage alternatives if you are unable to get coverage for yourself.

Can you get car insurance with a suspended license?

We’ve discussed situations in which you might require car insurance despite not having a valid driver’s license. But what if you had a license that had been suspended?

Your driver’s license might be suspended for a variety of reasons, including being convicted of a DUI, having many traffic offenses, or being involved in an at-fault accident without vehicle insurance. If your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive until it is reinstated. However, this does not imply you are not required to have car insurance.

In reality, if your license has been suspended, you may require auto insurance to demonstrate to the state that you are adequately protected. You demonstrate your insurance coverage to the state by having your carrier fill out an SR-22 compliance form and send it to them.

What Is SR-22 Car Insurance?

An SR-22, also known as a “certificate of financial responsibility” or “certificate of liability insurance,” is a document that verifies to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles that you have the required minimum liability coverage. It is not a unique policy; it is a standard auto insurance policy that includes an SR-22 form.

Any major insurer may file an SR-22 on your behalf, but they are not obligated to accept you as a customer. You’ll normally be classified as a high-risk driver, and not all insurance companies will insure you.

Indeed, if you have a suspended license and are required to file an SR-22 form, you may have to search around quite a bit to locate reasonable coverage.