when do you add teen to your auto insurance?

[Anonymous]

My kid just got the learners permit in DC. Do I add him to insurance now or later when he has actual license and is driving solo?

[Anonymous]

I would add him now.

[Anonymous]

My insurer requires that you notify them when your child gets a learner's permit but does not require that they be added until they pass the test.

[Anonymous]

Once she was licensed, I don’t believe they can quote insurance until they are licensed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My insurer requires that you notify them when your child gets a learner's permit but does not require that they be added until they pass the test.

This is what we were told by our Allstate agent.

[Anonymous]

When they get their license. Called ins co when she got her Lerners Permit, they didnt care. FWIW most companies will give you a discount for good grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once she was licensed, I don’t believe they can quote insurance until they are licensed.

This is correct. You won't be charged for them until they can drive alone. Beware...your insurance will go up like 3 times as much as you pay for the parents only. We pay $960 for 2 cars and 2 adults (total annual cost). I called and asked for an estimate, which they said was hard to do, but it was going to be something like $1800 to add our teen. That price stays high for 3 yrs. If no accidents, it drops after the first 3 yrs.

Also, they rate the teen on the highest costing vehicle if the teen does not have a designated vehicle. (Not sure if this is specific to our company).

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Great info here! (Op here)

[Anonymous]

But I don’t see why you would add them. Eg. If your friend borrows you’re car and makes an accident, being not a named driver means you have a higher deductible. If your teen drive and not a named driver, I would assume the same? A higher deductible. So if you equate how much you have your teen added to the insurance vs. Deductible, you will make it back in no time. Allstate And liberty charge an arm and a leg for a teen driver. Plus in most cases, if you meet a small accident, I wouldn’t involve insurance anyway and settle it privately with the other driver. Claiming insurance just wipes your no claim bonuses, increase your premiums next year?

So maybe I am missing something. Why would you add your kid as a named driver unless you totally anticipate bad accidents?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Google "uninsured motorist laws"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I don’t see why you would add them. Eg. If your friend borrows you’re car and makes an accident, being not a named driver means you have a higher deductible. If your teen drive and not a named driver, I would assume the same? A higher deductible. So if you equate how much you have your teen added to the insurance vs. Deductible, you will make it back in no time. Allstate And liberty charge an arm and a leg for a teen driver. Plus in most cases, if you meet a small accident, I wouldn’t involve insurance anyway and settle it privately with the other driver. Claiming insurance just wipes your no claim bonuses, increase your premiums next year?

So maybe I am missing something. Why would you add your kid as a named driver unless you totally anticipate bad accidents?

And if it's not a small accident, and your insurance cancels your policy based on misrepresentation and refuses to pay anything? Hello, bankruptcy.

And according to Google, if you're in Maryland or Virginia, it is the law that you must add your teenage driver to your insurance before they are considered a legal driver.

[Anonymous]

All major US insurance companies give a free ride until the child is licensed. I’d be surprised if anyone here has had anything different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My insurer requires that you notify them when your child gets a learner's permit but does not require that they be added until they pass the test.

Same we notified them when he got his permit, but they won’t start charging for him until he has his license

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I don’t see why you would add them. Eg. If your friend borrows you’re car and makes an accident, being not a named driver means you have a higher deductible. If your teen drive and not a named driver, I would assume the same? A higher deductible. So if you equate how much you have your teen added to the insurance vs. Deductible, you will make it back in no time. Allstate And liberty charge an arm and a leg for a teen driver. Plus in most cases, if you meet a small accident, I wouldn’t involve insurance anyway and settle it privately with the other driver. Claiming insurance just wipes your no claim bonuses, increase your premiums next year?

So maybe I am missing something. Why would you add your kid as a named driver unless you totally anticipate bad accidents?

If my friend borrows my car I am going to assume they have their own policy. Your teen would not be covered ifnot on any policy at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I don’t see why you would add them. Eg. If your friend borrows you’re car and makes an accident, being not a named driver means you have a higher deductible. If your teen drive and not a named driver, I would assume the same? A higher deductible. So if you equate how much you have your teen added to the insurance vs. Deductible, you will make it back in no time. Allstate And liberty charge an arm and a leg for a teen driver. Plus in most cases, if you meet a small accident, I wouldn’t involve insurance anyway and settle it privately with the other driver. Claiming insurance just wipes your no claim bonuses, increase your premiums next year?

So maybe I am missing something. Why would you add your kid as a named driver unless you totally anticipate bad accidents?

If my friend borrows my car I am going to assume they have their own policy. Your teen would not be covered ifnot on any policy at all.

Insurance follows the car, vs. the driver. So if your friend borrows your car with your permission, your insurance is primary in the event of an accident.