It’s a rite of passage: Your child has passed their exam for a learner’s permit and is now ready to get behind the wheel. But how to learner-proof your car before they start driving? After you’ve made sure they understand the unspoken rules of the road, get them covered under your car insurance policy.
Do learner’s permit drivers need special coverage?
No, new drivers aren’t required to get a different kind of coverage. You can typically add a learning driver to your current policy so that they’re covered under the same terms.
Add a new driver to your policy. It’s usually cheaper to add a student driver to your existing car insurance. If you can find a provider willing to sign up a student for a standalone policy, it will likely be significantly more expensive.
Understand exclusions. Carefully read your policy’s terms and conditions to learn how your provider handles learner’s permits. Most policies specify whether family members in the same household can share a car with full or partial coverage under the same policy, along with any exclusions.
Ask for student discounts. Learning drivers can be expensive to insure. Ask your current car insurance provider to learn how to cut the costs for covering a student driver, with discounts for students, good grades and more.
What kind of car insurance do new drivers need?
Car insurance covers drivers with learner’s permits just like anyone else, so you don’t need special coverage. Instead, you’ll want to decide the types of coverage you want:
Liability coverage. Protects your teen driver from damage that results from an accident they’ve caused.
Collision coverage. Pays for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if your new driver is in an accident.
Comprehensive coverage. Protects against damage caused by almost anything other than a collision, like theft, vandalism or weather damage.
Personal injury protection. Covers post-accident injuries and in some cases lost income.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Covers the cost of repairs if an uninsured or underinsured driver damages your vehicle.
Roadside assistance. Covers towing and roadside help after a car breakdown. Consider adding this coverage until your new driver learns how to change a flat tire or if they drive an older car.
Accident forgiveness. Prevents rates from going up after an at-fault accident. Look for free accident forgiveness or individual accident forgiveness in case your new driver has a fender bender.
How much is car insurance for a teen driver?
Cheap car insurance for an 18-year-old
Age
Cheapest annual rate
15
$2,296
16
$1,829
17
$1,509
18
$1,378
19
$1,334
20
$1,292
21
$1,252
To get these quotes, we compared rates for the same driver profile in a popular California zip code.
Male driver
18-21 years old
Single
2017 Toyota Camry LE
State minimum coverage: 15/30/5 liability
How to save on car insurance with a learner driver
Car insurance for young drivers is expensive. That’s because new drivers are more likely to get in accidents until they gain more experience behind the wheel.
The best way to keep your car insurance rates low is to start with a strong one by comparing quotes from a range of insurers. By practicing safe driving and protecting your vehicle, you can find cheap car insurance rates.
Maintain a clean record. Stay within the speed limit and avoid traffic violations to keep your insurance claims to a minimum and potentially reduce your rates in the future.
Don’t get separate coverage. It’s often cheaper to add a driver with a learner’s permit to your current policy.
Garage your car. Vehicles kept overnight in a secure, locked garage are often cheaper to insure than cars parked on the street.
Choose a higher deductible. A higher deductible often results in a lower rate, though make sure your savings can support paying more upfront after an incident.
Drive less. If you’re not a frequent driver or your new driver will only be driving occasionally, look into insurers that specialize in low-mileage or pay-as-you-drive policies.
Good student. Get a discount if your driver is a student and maintains good grades.
Online policies. Some providers offer discounts for purchasing coverage fully online.
Safety devices. Equip your car with safety features like seatbelt pretensioners and additional airbags to save on your rates.
Antitheft devices. If your vehicle is equipped with alarms or other theft deterrents, you might be eligible for a discount.
Low-mileage drivers. People who drive less frequently could see lower rates. Or consider usage-based car insurance, where cost is based on how much you drive.
Defensive driving. You could get a discount for completing a driver training or defensive driving course.
Multicar. Most insurers offer savings for bundling multiple vehicles under the same insurance policy.
Telematics device. Increasingly, providers are adopting telematics devices that track your driving habits for lower rates.
When can a learning driver upgrade to a full license?
State
Learner’s permit
Restricted license
Full license
Alabama
15
16
17
Alaska
14
16
16.5
Arizona
15.5
16
16.5
Arkansas
14
16
16.5
California
15.5
16
17
Colorado
15
16
17
Connecticut
16
16.3
18
Delaware
16
16.5
17
Washington, DC
16
16.5
18
Florida
15
16
18
Georgia
15
16
18
Hawaii
15.5
16
17
Idaho
14.5
15
16
Illinois
15
16
18
Indiana
15
16.5
18
Iowa
14
16
17
Kansas
14
16
16.5
Kentucky
16
16.5
17
Louisiana
15
16
17
Maine
15
16
16.5
Maryland
15.75
16.5
18
Massachusetts
16
16.5
18
Michigan
14.75
16
17
Minnesota
15
16
16.5
Mississippi
15
16
16.5
Missouri
15
16
18
Montana
14.5
15
16
Nebraska
15
16
17
Nevada
15.5
16
18
New Hampshire
15.5
16
17.1
New Jersey
16
17
18
New Mexico
15
15.5
16.5
New York
16
16.5
17 with classes; 18 without
North Carolina
15
16
16.5
North Dakota
14
15
16
Ohio
15.5
16
18
Oklahoma
15.5
16
16.5
Oregon
15
16
17
Pennsylvania
16
16.5
17 with classes; 18 without
Rhode Island
16
16.5
17.5
South Carolina
15
15.5
16.5
South Dakota
14
14.5
16
Tennessee
15
16
17
Texas
15
16
18
Utah
15
16
17
Vermont
15
16
16.5
Virginia
15.5
16.25
18
Washington
15
16
17
West Virginia
15
16
17
Wisconsin
15.5
16
16.75
Wyoming
15
16
16.5
Bottom line
New drivers have a lot to worry about, from passing the driver’s test and following the rules of the road to getting insured to drive the family car. Adding your teen driver to your car insurance isn’t cheap, but it is the best way to get them the coverage they need to stay safe on the road. Compare car insurance rates to make sure you’re getting the best deal for you and your new driver.
Frequently asked questions about first time drivers
Not necessarily. A comprehensive policy may cover other drivers, but expect to pay an additional deductible for claims made while they’re driving. Check with your provider to find out how to get coverage for your learner driver.
Yes. A learner driver can own and insure their own car, but they won’t be able to drive alone until they’ve earned an intermediate license.
Yes. Let your insurer know so they don’t keep charging you a higher rate.
Yes, if you submit a claim for damages. Your car insurance is connected to the car and any claims on it.
It depends on the rates. You may find a lower rate by comparing your options and switching to a new insurer.
Andrew Munro was the global cryptocurrency editor at Finder, covering all aspects of cryptocurrency and the blockchain. Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales. See full bio
Hello, I’m 29 and I have a learners permit. I was wondering how I would go about getting car insurance on my new car so I can register it?
Finder
JhezelynFebruary 21, 2019Finder
Hello Sarah,
Thank you for your comment.
Please note that when you have a learner’s permit, you can own and insure your own car, but you won’t be able to drive alone and you can expect higher car insurance premiums.
We have a list of several insurers above that can provide you cover for your car. Please remember that some factors may vary per state so it’s important to check which state the car insurance is available. After comparing the policies, please click the Go to Site button to directly get a quote.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement PDS/T&C’s of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
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Hello, I’m 29 and I have a learners permit. I was wondering how I would go about getting car insurance on my new car so I can register it?
Hello Sarah,
Thank you for your comment.
Please note that when you have a learner’s permit, you can own and insure your own car, but you won’t be able to drive alone and you can expect higher car insurance premiums.
We have a list of several insurers above that can provide you cover for your car. Please remember that some factors may vary per state so it’s important to check which state the car insurance is available. After comparing the policies, please click the Go to Site button to directly get a quote.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement PDS/T&C’s of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
Regards,
Jhezelyn