Do You Need Insurance with a Learner’s Permit?
Do You Need Insurance with a Learner’s Permit?
It’s a rite of passage. Your teen has obtained his or her learner’s permit and can’t wait to get behind the wheel. You have your own reservations, not the least of which is what this will mean in terms of insurance.
Section 1: What is learner’s permit?
You have a young learner who has taken and passed his or her road test. He or she has the right to operate a motor vehicle on roadways (except for highways) and to drive on limited access highways.
Why is this so important?
Before issuing a permit, the DMV must assess an applicant’s mental and physical ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. The DMV may, but is not required to, require a learner’s permit holder to provide proof of satisfactory knowledge or a certificate from a health professional stating that a physical condition is being treated or will be treated by a health professional.
Additionally, a learner’s permit is required for all drivers under the age of 18, even if they are not driving alone.
Why do people need insurance with a learner’s permit?
If you are in the U.S., chances are you’re in an accident. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 40 percent of car accidents occur when the teen driver is behind the wheel.
Your teen is about to assume a significant amount of responsibility. Insurance is one way to help prevent that responsibility from becoming overwhelming and dangerous.
It can also be a great way to build some additional safety features in your teen’s car. In the absence of proper documentation, your teen may find themselves in a situation without many options, which is a bad combination. Insurance helps them to be safer.
How Do I Find Car Insurance for a Learner’s Permit?
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as you might think. Insurance companies have very specific restrictions.
What are the different types of learner’s permits?
In the United States, there are two main types of learner’s permits.
Under 18 Learner’s Permit
This permit requires that the driver (18 years of age and older) have a certain number of hours behind the wheel in order to earn it. It’s usually issued on an interim basis and not required for work or school. But depending on the state, you will likely need to purchase extra liability insurance to cover these drivers. In fact, under 18 Learner’s permits usually come with a higher premium. Some states require that the insurance be at least $15,000 per accident.
Older Learner’s Permit
These permits have a higher annual fee than the under 18 permit and usually require that the driver get at least 30 hours of training to get one.
Is it possible for a learner to obtain insurance without a driver’s license?
If you are one of the first passengers your teen takes out in his or her vehicle, you probably can.
Under Title V of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, anyone under 16 who’s carrying passengers can “assume the role of driver and safely operate a motor vehicle with one or two occupants.” Here’s the key section (5 CFR 31.121):
5 CFR 31.121—20: Students Assume the Role of Driver
A student under 16 who is physically able to carry a passenger may assume the role of a driver and safely operate a motor vehicle, with one or two occupants, under a learner’s permit if the student demonstrates safe driving techniques.
Your insurance company may require you to provide proof of insurance in order to allow your teen to take his or her learner’s permit test.
Conclusion
The best way to cope with the insurance burden on young drivers is to have some kind of car insurance policy in place while they are still studying. It’s still cheap and better than nothing.
KELO Insurance is a leading personal insurance provider, offering premiums at affordable rates. Enrolling to KELO, though, may still involve making an appointment with the insurance agent. But after you have explained your situation, there should be no more questions. Simply tell your agent your child’s licence details.
Source by Chris Flynn
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for viewing my article about student insurance. Like the idea of student insurance but are unsure of how to go about getting cover.
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