It's important to understand that driving without a license doesn't automatically turn into an accident because of your friend. If another driver is responsible for the accident, your insurance should cover it. In the event that your unlicensed friend causes an accident, your car insurance can still cover the damage. It's possible to get car insurance without a license, and if someone other than you drives your vehicle, it's necessary.
However, some companies may be wary of insuring unlicensed customers, while some states require that you include at least one licensed driver in your policy. By law, you don't need to have a driver's license to get insurance. However, most insurers don't offer coverage to an unlicensed driver. Most domestic insurers, such as Geico, State Farm, Progressive and Allstate, won't offer you a quote without a license.
Some companies offer policies to unlicensed drivers, including The Hartford. While this may save you a few dollars, it also means that your partner won't be covered in case you wreck the vehicle or damage someone else while using it. If this concerns you, you may want to talk to your agent about adding an additional clause to your policy that covers this scenario. The best way to get car insurance when you're not licensed is to buy a policy and list yourself as an excluded driver.
The key to getting unlicensed car insurance is to buy a policy that lists you as an excluded driver. However, this can increase the cost of premiums, since the insurer can never be sure that the person driving the vehicle is trustworthy. If you can't find an insurer to sell you a policy because you don't have a license, you can consider adding a licensed driver as a co-owner of your vehicle on the license plate. This reduces the risk for the auto insurance company because you and your vehicle won't be covered if you drive the car and have an accident.
You may need to sign up as an excluded driver on the policy, and some insurers may not yet sell you a policy. This means that the company will not cover any claim that occurs if you decide to go for a drive and an incident occurs. In the eyes of the police, both drivers are unlicensed drivers and this will be indicated in the accident report. And while it may be allowed, you'll generally struggle to find a car dealer that's willing to offer financing if you don't have a license.
This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provision, limitation or exclusion expressly set forth in any insurance policy. If you think an insurer is trying to evade your legal responsibilities, talk to an attorney right away. When determining the primary driver of the policy, auto insurance companies will use motor vehicle records along with other factors to establish their rates.
