Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License?

1. Why You Would Need Car Insurance Without a License
2. How to Get Car Insurance Without a Driver's License
3. Car Insurance with a Suspended License

It is possible to get car insurance if you don't have a current driver's license. However, you may run into trouble, depending on your situation.

The law doesn't require you to have a driver's license to get a car insurance policy. However, when you apply, car insurance companies usually ask for your driver's license number. So it may not be a straightforward process.

Why You Would Need Car Insurance Without a License

There are various reasons why you might need to get car insurance before you even have a license to drive first.

• You have a car, but someone else drives it: Perhaps you bought a car for a significant other, or you're too old to drive but still own a car. If you still have a car, but someone else is driving it, you'll still need car insurance.
• You have a classic car: If you own a vintage or collector's vehicle, you'll definitely want to get it insured. These cars are not your primary vehicle, but with the value being so high, you'll definitely want some protection.
• You're insuring a younger driver: If you have kids under 18 who are driving, you'll need to get car insurance for them since they aren't legally able to enter into binding contracts.
• You're a new driver: If you're about to apply for your driver's license for the first time, your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (or equivalent) may ask for proof of insurance before letting you sit your driving test.
• Your driver's license is suspended: If you have a suspended license, the court may require you to get an SR-22 certificate, which your insurance company files with the DMV. This certifies that you have minimum liability insurance coverage and will help you get your suspended license reinstated.
• Your car is in storage: Just because you don't drive your vehicle doesn't mean you shouldn't have insurance. You might want to protect it from weather, theft, vandalism, or other things out of your control. Parked car insurance is a cheaper option for cars that aren't being driven.
• You want to avoid a lapse in coverage: You may be in a situation where you have a car but won't be driving it temporarily. You may still want car insurance coverage because car insurance companies generally don't like lapses in coverage.

How to Get Car Insurance Without a Driver's License

Applying for car insurance coverage can be done easily online. However, you may run into some problems if you don't have a valid driver's license. Most car insurance companies will ask for your driver's license number—without it, you may not be able to finish your application.

They need this number to look up your driving record and decide if you're a high-risk driver. This will help them decide whether or not they want to insure you in the first place and what your monthly premium will be (the riskier you are, the higher your monthly rate).

If you run into problems completing an online application, you'll need to call the insurance carrier or a licensed insurance agent directly. It'll be easier to talk to someone and explain your situation.

List Yourself as an Excluded Driver

Whatever the reason for getting car insurance, you'll want to list yourself as an excluded driver on the policy. The insurance company may actually request this if you can't give them a valid driver's license number when you apply.

Being an excluded driver means you are the auto insurance policy holder, but you and your vehicle won't be covered if you drive the car.

You'll usually be required to list all licensed drivers in your household—if any of these drivers get into an accident while driving your vehicle, they'll be covered under your policy.

Car Insurance with a Suspended License

Your driver's license has been suspended, so why would you need car insurance if you can't drive? There are a few reasons:

• Auto insurance companies don't like lapses in coverage.
• You may be able to drive on a hardship or restricted license.
• You're required by your auto loan or lease company to carry car insurance.
• You need insurance to get your suspended license reinstated.

Although purchasing auto insurance may be a little less straightforward when you have a suspended license, it's still possible.

When you purchase auto insurance with a suspended license, you may notice your premiums are higher than you're used to. This is because you're considered a high-risk driver by your insurance company.

The easiest thing to do when you have a suspended license is to keep your current car insurance policy. If you need to apply for a new policy, it may be worth talking to an insurance agent to help compare auto insurance rates for high-risk drivers.

Getting an SR-22

An SR-22 is something the DMV requests from you before they will reinstate your driver's license. It is basically a document that certifies that you have the minimum liability insurance policy required in your state.

If you need to file an SR-22, you need to request it from your insurance company. They will file it with the DMV.

However, not all insurance companies offer this filing service. If this is the case, you'll need to get a new insurance policy from a carrier that provides this service.