Best Car Insurance for a Learner's Permit
- You can get insurance with only a learner's permit.
- Compare quotes to ensure you aren't being overcharged while learning to drive.
Can I get car insurance with just a learner's permit?
Yes — you can get car insurance with just a learner's permit or provisional license. This is fortunate given all drivers, even those just learning to drive, must have the minimum insurance coverage required by their state. You can also purchase and register a vehicle without your full license.
Getting a learner's permit can be an exciting first step toward adulthood, but it also comes with responsibility. Below, we outline how drivers with permits can ensure they get appropriate coverage without breaking the bank.
Key Takeaways
- Drivers with learner's permits and provisional licenses can and should get car insurance, especially since each state requires it.
- Always confirm with your auto insurer whether your child with a permit is automatically covered or needs to be added to your current policy.
- On average, parents save $1,900 annually by adding teens to their policy versus getting them their own and can save even more by comparing quotes from multiple insurers.
- GEICO and Progressive have the lowest average rates for parents adding teens to their insurance policies.
Do I need to add my child to my car insurance policy?
Whether a child with a learner's permit needs to be added to their parent's car insurance policy depends on each company's specific guidelines. However, most insurers will require that the primary named insured has a valid driver's license. Some insurers have provisions to cover drivers with a learner's permit. Others require anyone of driving age you might be living with, even without a license or permit, to be added as an excluded or included driver.Â
It’s never a good idea to assume anything about your insurance company. If you or your teen has just received your learner’s permit, make sure you speak to your insurer about your situation. If you assume they’re covered and they’re not, you run the risk of having a claim denied or running into legal issues.
Remember that once your teen gets their full license, they must be added to your car insurance. Drivers under the age of 18 can't typically have their own policy. However, even when teens are finally eligible for their own, it's usually much cheaper to stay on their parents' policy. See the below chart for context on the pros and cons of adding your child to your car insurance policy.
Q: How much does it cost to add a permit driver to my insurance?
A. Most parents won't see a rate increase until their child is fully licensed. Then, parents save an average of $1,910 per year keeping them on the family's policy versus getting them their own.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Relative cost savings. While you'll see a significant increase to your insurance premium, it's likely less than if you were paying for two separate policies. | Increased cost compared with when you were just paying for your own. Although, it's still less than if you paid for two separate policies. |
| Convenience. All policies being under one company can streamline bill payments and policy changes. | Your child's driving mistakes can affect your rates. If your child has an accident, it can impact your personal rates for 3-5 years. |
| Ensured coverage. Assuming your child is covered on your current plan without checking with your insurer can lead to denied claims and other penalties. | Potential loss of current discounts. Check with your insurer to see how adding your child will affect your eligibility for various discounts. |
| Additional discount eligibility. Good student, etc. |
Check out our article discussing when children should stay on their parents' car insurance policy for additional information.
Cheap companies for young drivers
As we stated, whether or not you need to be added to your parent’s or significant others' policy will depend on the company and unique situation. Thus, it’s difficult to give car insurance quotes for companies. However, we skipped ahead to the next step of your driving life and created a user profile where a licensed teen was added to their parent’s policy. Here, we can see that, all other metrics constant, GEICO and Progressive were the cheapest companies for families with young drivers. Remember, comparing quotes is the best way to ensure you are getting the lowest price on auto insurance, whether you have a permit or are fully licensed.
| Car Insurance Provider | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $5,998 |
| Allstate | $4,590 |
| GEICO | $1,974 |
| Progressive | $2,462 |
| Liberty Mutual | $3,352 |
The Zebra’s auto insurance data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Discounts for drivers with permits
While young drivers may face higher rates overall, there are ways to save money on your insurance policy. Have a look at the following discounts that can help you save money on your insurance rates.
Being a student with good grades can oftentimes lead to reduced rates. This is often stipulated at a B average or above.
Safe driving and keeping a clean driving record can often save you money.Â
 Taking a course — like drivers ed — can lower your auto insurance rates in many cases.
Drivers permit insurance considerations
You should consider our data as a starting point and not a strict rule. While insurance companies use driving age and years of experience as major rating factors, every company will view you differently and thus charge you differently.
It's important you be upfront about your or your child's learner permit status. Most auto insurance companies allow first-time drivers with permits to be added to the plan of a parent or significant other. Once they become a licensed driver, however, it's likely that rates will go up.
Whether you are a permit driver or have a full license, your best bet for finding an affordable policy is to regularly shop around for car insurance quotes. The Zebra can help you find a car insurance policy that is right for you and your family's needs.
Compare insurance rates quickly and easily.
Find car insurance in your state with a learner's permit
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.