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Getting car insurance with no license may be tricky and could lead to higher premiums. But having an active auto insurance policy can prevent your coverage from lapsing and protect your vehicle if you get in an accident.
Listing someone else as the primary driver, adding yourself as an excluded driver, and talking to an insurance agent are a few ways to get no-license insurance. Keep reading to learn how to get car insurance if you don’t have a driver’s license.
Key Takeaways:
- Adding a licensed driver to your vehicle’s registration, adding them as the primary driver, and getting parked-car insurance are a few ways to get no-license insurance.
- Although you can purchase a car without insurance, you can’t legally drive it without insurance coverage and a valid driver’s license.
- SR-22 insurance is an option for drivers with a suspended license who still need to prove financial responsibility.
How to Get Auto Insurance Without a License
Insurance companies use several factors to determine your auto insurance premium. Your driving record is one of the most impactful rating factors, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Most companies can’t accurately assess the risk of insuring you and your vehicle if you don’t have a driver’s license. This prevents many insurance companies from giving a car insurance quote or offering a policy to drivers who don’t have a license.
Luckily, you can get auto insurance without a license in several ways. You can add a licensed driver to your vehicle registration, get parked-car insurance, list yourself as an excluded driver, or speak with an insurance agent to find a better alternative.
List someone else as the primary driver
If you need to insure your car but don’t have a driver’s license, listing someone else as the primary driver is a viable option. The insurance company will use the other driver’s record, age, and other factors to determine your policy premium — but be prepared to pay higher rates if they’re a high-risk driver.
Every state requires proof of financial responsibility, whether through a car insurance policy or having enough assets to cover damages if you cause an accident. You could face steep penalties if the police catch you driving without insurance, which could prevent you from getting a license in the future.
Just because your car is insured doesn’t mean you can legally drive it without a valid license.
Add a licensed driver to your car’s registration
Another option is to add a licensed driver to your vehicle registration. Some insurance companies prefer that the drivers on the vehicle registration and insurance policy match, even if it’s not a state requirement. Getting car insurance without a driver’s license is hard, but adding a licensed driver to your registration can make getting a policy easier.
Like adding someone else as the primary driver, the other registered licensed driver’s age and driving record help determine the premium. Consider discussing driving history with potential drivers if you’re concerned about getting the best insurance rate.
Get parked-car coverage
Parked-car coverage — sometimes called stored-car insurance — is an excellent option if your car is in storage and you have no plans to drive it. Just note that car storage insurance only provides comprehensive coverage, which pays for covered damage to your vehicle when in storage or parked. Covered losses include:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Broken windows/windshields
- Animal damage
- Weather (tornadoes, hurricanes, hail, etc.)
- Damage from a flying or falling object
Stored-car insurance doesn’t provide liability coverage, so there’s no protection if you or someone else drives the car and gets into an accident. Parked-car insurance also doesn’t satisfy vehicle financing requirements — but it’s a cost-effective way to protect your car when you aren’t driving it for an extended period.
List yourself as an excluded driver
A car insurance policy endorsement or rider can modify, add, include, or exclude coverage. Adding yourself as an excluded driver on your auto policy excludes you from coverage but allows you to keep an active policy and avoid costly insurance lapses.
To add yourself as an excluded driver, you must have someone with a valid driver’s license listed as the primary driver on your policy.
This option isn’t ideal if you plan to drive your car, since you aren’t covered if you cause an accident. But it can help keep your policy in force and prevent cancellation if you have a revoked or suspended license.
Talk to an insurance agent
Getting no-license insurance can be difficult, so speaking with an insurance agent may be your best choice. They understand state vehicle and insurance requirements and can help you get the insurance coverage you need.
Not all insurance companies will cover unlicensed drivers, so working with a knowledgeable insurance agent in your state can pay off. An independent insurance agent or broker can shop multiple insurance companies at the same time, helping you find the best price and policy for your unique situation.
When Does It Make Sense to Insure a Car You Can’t Drive?
Besides meeting state requirements for a tagged vehicle, here are a few scenarios where you’ll want coverage if you have a car you can’t drive:
- You have a child with a learner’s permit: A child with a learner’s permit can’t get their own policy, but you can insure them on your vehicle. You can also insure a minor in states that won’t allow someone under 18 to enter into a legally binding contract.
- You own a classic or vintage car: If you own a classic, collector, or vintage car that you don’t drive often, consider classic car insurance to cover it — especially if you leave it parked over the winter or for other extended periods.
- You own a car that someone else with a license drives: If another family member — such as your spouse, caregiver, parent, or child — drives your vehicle, you can name yourself as an excluded driver and them as the primary driver.
How to Get Car Insurance If Your License Is Suspended
You might need to insure your car even with a suspended license. A license suspension temporarily revokes your driving privileges until you meet specific criteria, which can vary by state and suspension reason. Some common reasons for a suspended license include:
- Points accumulation
- Reckless driving
- Driving while impaired
- Driving on a revoked or suspended license
- Driving without insurance
- Child support delinquencies
A driver with a suspended license is considered a high-risk driver, which can lead to expensive premiums. You might also need SR-22 insurance — a certificate or form your insurer sends to the DMV certifying you meet minimum insurance requirements.
Getting cheap car insurance with a suspended license can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. If your license is suspended, you must list someone with a valid driver’s license as the primary driver on your policy to keep it active. And if you’re caught driving without a valid license, you could face penalties and license revocation, and your insurance company could drop you.
Can You Buy a Car Without Getting Car Insurance?
Yes, you can buy a car without getting car insurance. But you have to insure the vehicle before driving it off the lot. If you’re buying the car without financing, you only need to purchase state minimum insurance if your state requires it. But if you’re financing or leasing it, you’ll usually need full coverage.
Car insurance doesn’t just protect you and your vehicle. It also covers other drivers and pedestrians. If you cause an accident without insurance, you can face financial liability for injuries and damages.
The average bodily injury claim in 2018 was over $15,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute. For property damage, almost $4,000. Insuring your car not only is the responsible thing to do but can also keep you from financial devastation.
FAQs About No-License Auto Insurance
Having the right information can make getting no-license insurance easier. Here are answers to the most common questions about getting car insurance with no license.
How much car insurance do you need?
How much car insurance you need depends on the state you live in. Most states require you to have liability insurance. But some states also require you to carry personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments coverage, or uninsured motorist coverage.
Why do insurance companies prefer drivers with licenses?
Insurance companies prefer drivers with licenses because they base their rates on your risk profile, which involves looking at your driving history. Having a driver’s license makes this process easier. Newly licensed drivers typically pay higher insurance rates because of this.
What is an excluded driver?
An excluded driver is someone who isn’t covered to drive under an insurance policy. You’re not covered if the excluded driver drives the vehicle and gets into an accident. This is the opposite of a rated driver, who is insured under the vehicle and policy to drive.
Can “no license insurance” be purchased online?
It can be extremely difficult to purchase no-license insurance online. Even if you can complete car insurance quotes online, most companies require you to speak with an agent to proceed. Most insurers require someone with a valid license to be listed as a driver to purchase coverage online.
Do you need insurance to get a license in Florida?
You need to have car insurance to meet Florida licensing requirements. A driving test is part of the testing requirements to get a license in Florida. You must supply a vehicle to complete the driving test, and one of the requirements to own a vehicle is proof of insurance.
Sources:
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licenses & ID Cards General Information,” Accessed August 3, 2023.
- Insurance Information Institute, “Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance,” Accessed August 3, 2023.
- Insurance Information Institute, “Is it legal to drive without insurance?,” Accessed August 3, 2023.
- Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?,” Accessed August 3, 2023.
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Driving While Revoked, Suspended or Otherwise Unlicensed: Penalties by State,” Accessed August 3, 2023.
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