Can You Get Auto Insurance with a Permit?

Yes, the good news is you can get auto insurance with a learner's permit. In many cases, you can purchase your own auto insurance policy if you own a car. However, if the vehicle is registered to your parent or another household member, you may need to get added to their existing policy instead.

Either way, ultimately it depends on the insurer whether they will allow it. While many insurers provide coverage for drivers with a learner's permit, some may have different eligibility requirements.  

So, that's why it's important to understand your options and how you can get insured before you start driving. In this guide, you will learn whether you need auto insurance with a learner's permit, how to get covered, whether you can purchase your own policy, and what it may cost. 

Do You Need Auto Insurance with a Learner’s Permit?  

Yes, you generally need auto insurance before driving with a learner's permit. In most states, the vehicle you drive must carry at least the minimum auto insurance coverage required by law. Depending on your insurer, you may either be covered under an existing policy or need to be added to it. 

If you're caught driving without the required coverage, you may face legal penalties depending on your state's laws. These may include fines, suspension of your driving privileges or vehicle registration, vehicle impoundment, and other penalties. 

Apart from the legal consequences, driving without insurance can also put you at significant financial risk. If you're involved in an accident, you may have to pay for property damage, medical expenses, liability claims, and repairs to your own vehicle out of pocket.  

So, to protect yourself financially and comply with your state's auto insurance requirements, it's important to make sure you're properly insured before getting behind the wheel. 

How to Get Auto Insurance with a Learner’s Permit?  

Getting auto insurance with a learner's permit is usually a straightforward process. In many cases, you'll either need to join an existing policy or purchase your own, depending on your insurer's requirements and your situation. Follow these steps to understand your options and get the coverage you need before you start driving. 

Check Your State's Requirements 

Before getting auto insurance, it's important to understand your state's minimum coverage requirements. The most important thing is making sure your policy meets the minimum insurance limits required by law. 

Since L.A. Insurance offer coverage in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Texas, the table below summarizes the minimum auto insurance requirements in these seven states to help you understand what coverage you may need. 

If you live outside these states, check your state's Department of Insurance or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website to confirm the current minimum auto insurance requirements.

Sources: NerdWallet - Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State, and Michigan DIFS - Choosing PIP Coverage

Determine Whether You Can Join an Existing Policy  

If you've recently obtained a learner's permit and are working toward getting your driver's license, joining an existing auto insurance policy is usually the easiest way to get insured. In many cases, you can be added to the policy of a parent or another licensed household member. 

If you're under 18, joining your parent's auto insurance policy is often the most common and affordable option. However, eligibility requirements vary by insurance provider, so it's important to check whether you can be added to an existing policy, or before purchasing your own. 

Get Added to Your Parent or a Household Member’s Policy 

Once you've confirmed that you're eligible to join an existing policy, the next step is to contact the insurer or your agent. They will ask for basic information, such as your learner's permit details, personal information, and the vehicle you'll be driving, before adding you as a listed driver on the policy. 

In many cases, the process takes as little as 5 to 10 minutes, although some insurers may take up to 24 hours to process the policy update. Once you're added, review the policy to make sure you have the required coverage and understand what's included before you begin practicing behind the wheel. 

Choose the Right Coverage   

While meeting your state's minimum auto insurance requirements is essential, it may not always provide enough financial protection after an accident. Depending on your needs, you may want to consider higher limits, and additional coverage options, such as collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, PIP, or MedPay coverage and more.  

If you're joining an existing policy, review the coverages already included and determine whether they provide adequate protection for the vehicle you'll be driving. Choosing the right coverage can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses and give you greater financial protection while you're learning to drive. 

Finalize and Activate Your Policy 

Once you've completed the enrollment process, confirm that your auto insurance coverage is active before you start driving. Review your policy details to ensure the listed drivers, insured vehicle, coverage limits, and effective date are all accurate. 

Keep a copy of your proof of insurance, either digitally or the insurance card you obtain afterwards, in case you need to present it during a traffic stop, after an accident, or when requested by law enforcement. 

Can You Purchase Your Own Auto Insurance Policy with a Permit?   

Yes, you can purchase your own auto insurance policy with a learner's permit. Whether you're eligible depends on your age, your state's laws, and your insurer's underwriting requirements. 

In most states, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase your own policy. According to Policygenius, the minimum age is 19 in Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi. If you meet your state's age requirement and the vehicle is registered in your name, you'll typically need to purchase your own auto insurance policy instead of joining someone else's coverage. 

How Much Does Auto Insurance Cost with a Learner's Permit?  

On average, a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record pays car insurance premium of about $912 per year for minimum coverage and around $2,496 per year for full coverage. If you're between 16 and 19 years old and have a learner's permit, you can expect to pay significantly more due to your age and limited driving experience. Since insurers consider younger drivers more likely to be involved in accidents and file claims, they generally charge higher premiums. 

If you're under 18, you'll typically be added to your parent's or another licensed household member's auto insurance policy. While this is often the most affordable option, it can still increase the policy's premium significantly. According to Forbes Advisor, adding a 16-year-old driver to a parent's policy costs an average of $3,211 per year. 

If you're eligible to purchase your own auto insurance policy, you can expect to pay even more. The same report from Forbes estimates that the average annual premium for a 16-year-old with their own policy is about $9,561.  

The good news is that your premium should gradually decrease as you get older and gain more driving experience, although it will likely remain higher than that of an experienced licensed driver. 

Which is a Better Option: Joining Another Policy, or Buying Your Own?

Both options can provide the coverage you need with a learner's permit, but the better choice depends on your age, vehicle ownership, eligibility, and budget. For most drivers with a learner's permit, joining a parent's or another household member's policy is usually the more affordable and convenient option.  

However, purchasing your own policy may be necessary if you're eligible and the vehicle is registered in your name. The table below compares both options to help you determine which one best fits your situation.

Simply put, here's what we recommend:  

• Choose an existing policy if you're eligible and want the most affordable and convenient way to get insured while learning to drive.  
• Choose your own policy if you own the vehicle, aren't eligible to join another policy, or prefer to manage your own insurance coverage independently.

The Bottom Line: Should You Get Insured with a Learner’s Permit?  

The reason you got a learner's permit is to legally allow you to drive so that you can acquire enough experience to get a driver's license. In most states, you need to hold a learner's permit ranging from 6 to 12 months, before becoming eligible for a driver's license.

While you're on learner's permit, you do need to drive on the road, but you can't legally do that without auto insurance, and also to keep yourself financially protected. Whether you're added to an existing policy or purchase your own, having adequate coverage is essential while you're learning to drive. 

If you're looking for affordable options, whether you're under 18, or you're currently on a learner's permit, you can connect with our nearest agent to help you obtain the right coverage within your budget.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Can you drive a car with a learner's permit without insurance? 

No. In most states, the vehicle must have at least the minimum required auto insurance before you can legally drive with a learner's permit. Driving an uninsured vehicle can result in fines and other penalties. 

Can I get insurance on a car if I only have a permit? 

Yes. You can usually get insurance on a car with a learner's permit, either by being added to an existing policy or, if you're eligible, by purchasing your own policy. The available option depends on your age, vehicle ownership, state requirements, and your insurer's underwriting guidelines. 

Is insurance cheaper with a permit?

Not usually. Drivers with a learner's permit, especially teenagers, often pay higher premiums due to their limited driving experience. However, adding a permit holder to a parent or household member's existing policy is typically much cheaper than purchasing a separate policy. 

Can a learner's permit holder be the primary policyholder?

Yes, if they meet their state's age requirements and the insurer's eligibility guidelines. However, many permit holders choose to join a parent or household member's policy because it's often more affordable. 

How to insure a learner driver? 

To insure a learner driver, you can usually add them to a parent or household member's existing auto insurance policy. If they're eligible and own the vehicle, they may also be able to purchase their own policy. The exact requirements depend on the insurer and state law. 

Do I need to add someone with a permit to my insurance? 

Yes, in most cases. If someone with a learner's permit will be driving your insured vehicle, your insurer will typically require you to add them to your policy as a listed driver. Check with your insurance company, as requirements can vary by insurer.