Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License?

Getting car insurance when you don’t have a driver’s license can be challenging. But it’s possible — especially if you can add another primary driver or plan to store your vehicle. But you may have to jump through a few extra hoops and pay more.

Common reasons to buy car insurance without a license include insuring a car for a minor, needing a car for your caregiver to drive, or having a suspended license.

Because you don’t have a driver’s license, insurance companies may have a lengthier application process and charge you higher rates.

How to get car insurance with no license

If you don’t have an active driver’s license number, the process of getting car insurance varies depending on the company you choose to work with. Below are four strategies to help you find the coverage you need.

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  1. Shop around

  Not all insurance companies provide policies to unlicensed drivers. Some well-known national insurance companies, such as State Farm, Mercury, COUNTRY Financial, and GEICO, might not even give you a quote if you don’t have a license.

  As with other financial products, you’ll need to do some research to find out which insurance companies in your state provide car insurance quotes to unlicensed drivers. Compare rates from several companies, and be sure to ask about discounts that can lower your rate.

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  2. List a primary driver

  Since you aren’t driving the car, list another primary driver to increase your chances of approval. Not all insurers allow this, so ask if they do and what they require. For example, they may limit coverage to another member of your household versus an outside caretaker.

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  3. Add a licensed driver to your registration

  You typically need to own a car to get insurance, so if you own a car with a licensed driver, such as your spouse, you may have more options when shopping for car insurance.

  Adding a licensed driver to your car registration requires a visit to your local department of motor vehicles (DMV) office and a (usually small) fee. But it may decrease the cost of car insurance coverage if you can put it in their name.^[1]

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  4. Consider parked car insurance

  Parked car insurance, also known as storage coverage, is designed to cover your car while it’s parked or stored somewhere. These policies aren’t full-coverage auto insurance. They don’t include liability or collision insurance but cover your car if it’s stolen or damaged by vandalism, hail, lightning, bad weather, or animal-inflicted damage while parked or stored.

  If nobody drives your car but you want to protect it from these types of claims, parked car insurance can be an affordable coverage option.

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Cheapest car insurance without a license

Finding the cheapest car insurance without a license may take more time. Below are some of the best car insurance companies that may offer the lowest rates on coverage to get you started.

When drivers may want auto insurance without a license

You may need an auto insurance policy without a license for several reasons. Working with an insurance agent or company that understands your situation and can get you properly insured is key. Below are some of the most common reasons you may need car insurance when you don’t have a driver’s license.

You don’t drive

You may not drive due to a health condition or age-related condition. But you could still own a car that your family members or caregivers use to run errands and take you to appointments. Keeping your car insured protects you financially should anything happen and allows others to drive your car when needed.^[2]

You have a learner’s permit

If you or a young driver in your household are learning to drive but don’t yet have a license, you may still need insurance on the vehicle you drive.

Keep in mind that accidents can happen even when you’re learning to drive. And most states require vehicle owners to carry car insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility for drivers with learner’s permits.^[3]

You have a suspended license

Many states may suspend your license for driving under the influence (DUI), failing to pay traffic tickets, or having a history of moving violations. Even though you can’t drive until your license is reinstated, you can likely benefit from maintaining car insurance.

Continuing insurance provides coverage for your vehicle while it’s parked or stored. It also helps you avoid a coverage gap, which flags you as a high-risk driver and can result in higher insurance premiums once you start driving again.

You have a stored vehicle

If you own a car you don’t drive, you should still carry car insurance. This could be a car you don’t need right now because you can’t drive or a collectible car you don’t plan to drive.

Stored vehicle coverage is a good idea because it removes liability, personal injury protection, and collision coverage and includes only comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive car insurance protects you financially if a tree falls on the car or someone steals it, for example.

What to know if you have a suspended license

If the state suspends your license due to a DUI, driving without insurance, or reckless driving, you may be required to get an SR-22 form. An SR-22 isn’t a type of coverage. Instead, it’s a proof-of-insurance form your insurance company fills out and sends to the state, proving you meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements.

You may face higher premiums once you get back on the road — especially if you lost your license due to a significant driving infraction, like a DUI conviction.

The following table shows the average cost of car insurance for people with clean driving records and after a DUI, speeding ticket, or at-fault accident. It shows full-coverage car insurance rates from some top national insurers.

When to insure a car you can’t drive

Even if you can’t drive, it makes sense to have insurance for a few reasons:

• Avoid a lapse in coverage. Insurance companies often charge higher rates to policyholders who don’t maintain continuous insurance coverage.

• Protect your asset. Even when you don’t drive your car, it can still be stolen, vandalized, or damaged by hail or falling tree limbs. Insurance helps cover these types of claims.

• Someone else might drive your car. Carrying insurance protects you financially in case someone else causes an accident while driving your vehicle, causing injuries to other people or damage to other people’s property.

Consider a pay-as-you-go insurance company, like Hugo, if you’re worried about paying for insurance you won’t use. You can turn insurance coverage off and on as needed.

Car insurance without license FAQs