Why Do I Need Auto Insurance When I Don’t Have a Driver’s License?

Purchasing auto insurance when you don’t have a valid driver’s license may appear futile. After all, many motorists believe that having a valid driver’s license is the only requirement for auto insurance. That isn’t always the case, though.

If you do not have a valid driver’s license, you can and may need auto insurance, albeit finding an insurance carrier that would cover you with no license insurance will be more difficult than usual. 

When you inquire about obtaining a vehicle policy, one of the first things an insurance company will normally ask for is your driver’s license number, and if you don’t have one, it can make the situation more difficult for both the insurer and you.

ALSO READ:

In some circumstances, though, getting car insurance without a license is possible, and even necessary.

What Could Make One Get Auto insurance Without a Driver’s License

Although it may seem strange to imply that someone who does not drive a car needs auto insurance, there are situations in which having a policy without a license may be advantageous. If any of the following scenarios apply to you, you may want to consider purchasing a no-license vehicle insurance policy:

You Are Unable to Drive Due to Medical Reasons

Even if you won’t be driving your vehicle for the time being due to a health condition, you may want to consider protection. If you’re leaving your car in storage for a time and your license expires while you recover, car insurance may still be necessary to safeguard you and your vehicle in the event that something goes wrong with it while it’s in storage.

If you think you’ll drive again in the future, you should keep your auto insurance policy to avoid a lapse in coverage, which could raise your cost when you need insurance again. If your car insurance slips, it may be considerably more difficult to maintain low car insurance rates.

You’re being chauffeured to and fro appointments, work, or any other location

You might have a younger family or caretaker take over as your chauffeur if you are a senior who has lost your license or is uncomfortable driving.

Even if you are not the primary driver of your vehicle, you must have auto insurance to protect it. Because the typical cost of automobile insurance rises with age, it may be less expensive to have someone else drive a vehicle registered in your name.

However, unless the person who drives you is a member of your household, listing another person as the vehicle’s principal driver will not always be an option.

You are a student driver or have a provisional license

Teen drivers with a learner’s permit, even if they are not formally licensed, must carry auto insurance. Typically, student drivers learn to drive in their parent’s car, which is hopefully already insured. Parents should, however, consider adding their student driver as a provisional driver to their auto insurance policy. You don’t have a driver’s license, but your student driver does.

Let’s say you buy a car for your 16-year-old when they acquire their driver’s license. Even if you aren’t driving the automobile, it must be insured. You won’t be allowed to register the car with the department of motor vehicles in almost every state unless you first produce proof of insurance. 

If your teen isn’t old enough to have their own coverage, they’ll need to be included as a driver on the policy of someone who is at least 18 years old. Because adding a teen to your policy might drastically raise your premiums, you should search around and compare auto insurance quotes to determine which provider offers you the best deal.

You own a classic car that you don’t use

Even if you buy a historic car to keep in your garage, you must insure it if you want to be financially protected in the event of damage or theft. Of course, you can use any of these anti-theft devices to reduce your car insurance rates.

Even if you don’t plan on driving, you should consider purchasing a policy that includes optional comprehensive auto coverage to cover non-collision circumstances like theft and vandalism. If you don’t use this vehicle, it can be more cost-effective to cover future vehicle losses, such as a tree falling on the garage and destroying the glass, rather than buying collision insurance for accidents.

ALSO READ:

Your driver’s license has been suspended

It’s possible that your license will be suspended if you’re charged with a DUI or have a bad driving record. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to get it back until you present an SR-22 certificate as proof of financial responsibility. An SR-22 is a certificate that proves to the court that you have the minimum amount of liability insurance required by your state. It is not insurance.

Extend this helpful article to a friend:

We are passionate about the insurance industry. Our primary goal is to become your one-stop shop for everything insurance. We work with various insurance companies, agents, brokers, marketers, and blogs to ensure we serve you better. Whether you want to learn about aviation, auto, business, boat, disability, farm, health, home, life, travel, yoga, or plumbing insurance, we’ve got you covered. For inquiries, send us an email to [email protected]