Driving a car and getting auto insurance for that car go hand-in-hand. You can’t have one without the other. If you are driving, you need to have some form of insurance, and to get car insurance, you must have a car. While at first, it sounds obvious, there is a slight gap between these two conditions that create a third kind of situation. Can you get car insurance if you don’t have a driving license? At first, it might sound absurd, but there are many cases when this situation occurs.
We’ll get into the details of why you might want to get car insurance without a driving license soon, but first, let’s look at the core question. Is it possible to get auto insurance in such conditions? Yes, and no.
Complications
The answer to the question is a bit complicated. Most of the popular auto insurance companies such as All-State, Geico, State Farm, etc do not provide insurance or even a quote to people who don’t have a driving license. There could be a few companies that might provide you with a quote. But be ready to listen to a lot of “Sorry, it can’t be done” when you are shopping for auto insurance without a driving license.
Since car insurance is all about the risks associated with the drivers, auto insurance companies cannot provide a quote or assess the risks if they cannot access your driving record or you don’t even have a license.
Even if some companies would provide you with a quote and even auto insurance, be prepared to pay a lot more than what anyone with a driving license would pay. Since the company is taking more risk, they’ll charge more both for the insurance and the premium.
You can choose these companies to get a license, and maybe you can get approved auto insurance from some of the cheapest car insurance companies at a great price, but still, before you try to get one, take a look at some work around that might get your car insured without breaking the bank.
The Work Around
There are a few ways you can get auto insurance without a license. While it won’t technically be normal auto insurance, it will cover your vehicle’s damage costs, and get you liability insurance to make the vehicle legal to drive. Let’s start with the most common and sensible one.
Excluded Driver Policy
Since you don’t have a driving license, but can afford auto insurance, the best option for your case would be to get a car insurance policy (liability coverage) against a primary driver who has a driving license, and make yourself the excluded driver. This will get your car insured, and legal to drive, and you won’t have to pay a higher price for the premium.
The only problem here is that any auto insurance policy covers the person, not the vehicle. So since the insurance is for the primary driver, you still should not drive the car. Apart from not having a license, in case there is an accident, the insurance company won’t be liable to pay for the damages.
Comprehensive Insurance Policy
If you do not intend to drive the car (which you should not as you do not have a driving license) and just keep the car for some time, the best option to protect your car would be getting comprehensive insurance coverage. Comprehensive coverage does not protect your car from any accident that is your fault, so in case you total your car driving without a license, you are on your own.
Comprehensive coverage, sometimes also referred to as “parking coverage” covers the cost of repair for the damages caused by natural accidents, or accidents that are not your fault. This insurance coverage covers:
- Damage caused due to natural calamities like hurricanes, earthquake, etc
- Damage caused due to animals
- Hailstorms, riot, etc
- Damage due to environment (a tree falling, etc)
- Fire
- Flooding
- Theft
- Another car hitting your car when it’s parked
Since there is no risk involved with any driver, comprehensive coverage does not require a driving license. So if this coverage matches your needs, then go for it.
Change Registration
It might not work for every company or state, but sometimes, adding a co-owner can increase the chances of getting your car insured. But be very careful of the terms and conditions, and since you do not have a license, an accident while you drive the car will not provide the insurance coverage.
Registration for Suspended License
Having your license suspended is not a pleasant experience. But not being able to legally drive a car is not the only issue you’re going to face. With a suspended license, it is not only very difficult to get car insurance, but if you can manage to get one, the prices will be sky-high.
Driving licenses can be suspended for serious or repeated traffic violations, such as driving under the influence, etc. So to get your car insured, you’ll have to opt for SR-22 insurance. But every state has its own rules and regulations, so checking on it first would be better.
Why Get Car Insurance Without Driving License?
There are many reasons why one would need to get car insurance without having a driving license. Here are a few of them:
- You are not able to drive a car due to an injury, old age, etc
- Your car stays parked for the time being
- It is a temporary car and will be solved soon
- Preventing a coverage lapse
- You only possess a driver’s permit
- Driving license has been suspended or revoked
Disclaimer: This content does not necessarily represent the views of IWB.