Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License?

Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License?

Yes, you can get auto insurance without a license. However, insurance companies usually ask for your license to check your driving record, and they might think it's risky to write a policy for someone without a license. As a result, companies may charge you more for the policy or choose to pass on your business altogether.

Learn more: What Happens if You Drive Without Insurance?

When You Need to Get Car Insurance Without a License

You can buy and own a car without a license, and there are several common scenarios when someone might want to insure their vehicle even if they don't plan to drive it:

• Someone else drives your vehicle. You might have a child, chauffeur, caretaker or parent who uses your vehicle to drive you around. Your insurance will cover your car, and you may want to name the other person as the primary driver on your policy.
• You have a learner's permit. You might own a car and be learning to drive, but you'll need insurance—and a licensed driver to accompany you—while you have your learner's permit.
• Your teenager drives. Teenagers can't get a policy under their name until they turn 18. Even if you don't have a license, if you have a teen who does, you may want to buy insurance and add them to the policy so they can drive on their own once they have a license. You may want to list your teen as the primary driver if that's the case.
• You lose your license. Your license might be suspended or revoked if you're in too many accidents, have unpaid fees or fines, had a DUI or DWI or drove without insurance. You might need to buy insurance to get your driving privileges back, or want to maintain coverage to avoid a lapse that could wind up increasing your premiums later.
• You own a car that you don't drive. You might have inherited a vehicle or bought a classic car as an investment and keep it in storage. In these situations, you technically don't need insurance for the car. However, you might want insurance in case the vehicle is stolen, vandalized or damaged. These policies are sometimes called parked car insurance.

Drawbacks of Getting Car Insurance Without a License

Although you may want or need to purchase insurance, know that the process could be a bit trickier and more expensive when you don't have a license.

• You'll have fewer options. Some insurance companies won't sell you insurance.
• It may be more expensive. Your premiums could be higher than if you had a license and a good driving record. If you're listing someone else as the primary driver, their driving record could affect your premiums.
• Driving is still illegal. Even if you have auto insurance for your vehicle, you still can't legally drive until you have a valid license. If you're getting insurance so someone else can drive the vehicle, make sure you understand when and how the policy will cover them.

Learn more: What Is Proof of Insurance and How Do You Show It?

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How to Get Car Insurance Without a License

Getting insurance won't be especially different if you don't have a license. You'll still want to gather quotes from several companies to make sure you're not overpaying, and compare coverage types and limits to ensure you're comfortable with the coverage.

Here are a few tips for getting started:

• Contact insurance agents and brokers. Insurance agents work for insurance companies and can answer questions or help you get a policy with that particular company. Some companies that may be worth looking into include A-MAX, Kemper and The Hartford. Brokers gather quotes from different companies to help you find coverage. Both may be helpful when you're looking for a company that doesn't require a license.
• Use auto insurance shopping tools. You might find online tools that ask for basic information about you and your vehicle, but don't require a license, to gather quotes on your behalf.
• Have your ID ready. You might need to show an alternative form of ID, such as a state identification card, passport, foreign driver's license or matrícula consular when you apply.
• Get SR-22 insurance to reinstate your license. If your insurance company canceled your policy after your license was suspended or revoked, you may be able to get your license reinstated and get insurance at the same time. But you might need an SR-22—a form that insurance companies file with your state. SR-22 insurance is fairly common, but the filing isn't free, and you may need to pay for a new SR-22 filing whenever you renew your policy during the next three to five years.

Learn more: Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

The Bottom Line

Although getting car insurance may be more difficult and expensive, you can insure your car and other drivers if you don't have a license. Gathering quotes and comparing coverage amounts and limits is still important to avoid overspending. You can work with a broker or contact multiple agents on your own. Or, you can use Experian's free auto insurance comparison tool to enter your information once and quickly compare quotes from multiple insurance companies.