Getting car insurance without a license in 2024

Can you get auto insurance without a driver’s license? The surprising answer is “yes.” However, it’s not always easy to get a policy under such circumstances.

Many insurers will not sell you a policy if you don’t have a license. And yet, there are situations where you may need insurance coverage even if you don't drive.

 “There are multiple reasons you might still need auto insurance, even if you do not have an active driver’s license,” says Kate Ferri Dawson, owner and principal agent of Ferri Dawson Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency in Murrysville, Pennsylvania.

For example, you might need auto insurance if you own a car that someone else uses to chauffeur you around town. Or, perhaps you don’t drive, but own a collectible car that you want to protect as an investment.

Whatever the reason, you can buy car insurance if you don’t have a driver’s license, but it may take some legwork to find an insurer that offers it at a price you find reasonable.

Key highlights

• Not all insurers offer coverage for unlicensed vehicle owners.
• You will need to list a primary driver -- other than yourself -- on the policy.
• If you do drive the vehicle and get in an accident, your insurance policy will not cover you.

Can you insure a car without a license?

Most people who purchase car insurance have a driver’s license. In fact, many insurance companies require that you have a license before they sell you a policy.

However, some insurers might be willing to sell you a policy even if you do not have a license. So, you can insure a car without a license. This is most likely to happen if you own a car and never drive it, but instead allow someone else to drive the vehicle.

In such situations, you probably will need to list a primary driver on the policy.

“Generally, to obtain auto insurance you must list a licensed driver on the policy that will drive the car,” says Bob Passmore, department vice president, auto and claims, with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

“You can own a car and not have a valid license, but most companies will need a licensed driver designated on the policy,” he adds.

In addition, there is a good chance that the insurer will require you to be listed as an excluded driver on the policy. That means if you drive the car for any reason, your policy will not apply should you get in an accident.

Coverage options will vary from insurer to insurer, but in general you should be able to find everything from a liability-only policy to meet your state’s insurance requirements to full protection with high coverage limits.

How to get car insurance without a license

It’s going to take some time to get car insurance if you do not have a driver’s license. Here are the steps you should take to secure a policy:

• Contact companies or an insurance agent. Not every insurer will sell a policy to someone without a driver’s license, so you will need to contact several insurers to find those that do offer such coverage. You can also talk to an independent insurance agent who can do the work for you.
• Ask about insurer requirements. Each insurance company has its own rules for how it issues policies to unlicensed drivers. For example, the insurer might want the driver’s license number of whoever will be your car’s primary driver. It will use this to check driving history, which can help determine what rate to charge for premiums.
• Ask if you will be an excluded driver. This means the policy will not apply if you are driving and get into an accident.
• Get quotes from several companies. Gathering quotes from several providers can help you get the coverage you need at the best possible price.
• Purchase a policy. Once you have gathered quotes, you can compare rates and choose the best policy for your needs.

Understanding rules and regulations for different states

If you do not have a driver’s license, be sure you understand your state’s laws before purchasing an auto insurance policy.

For example, some states may require you to name a primary driver on any auto insurance policy that you purchase. If you do not have a driver’s license, this means you will need to name another driver.

Contact your state’s department of insurance if you are unsure of the laws in your state and how they pertain to those who do not have a license but want to purchase insurance coverage.

Finding the best deals on car insurance for unlicensed drivers

Shopping around and comparing auto insurance quotes from multiple insurers is always the best way to get a great deal on car insurance, and it is even more important when you are trying to purchase a policy without a driver’s license.

Not every insurer will be willing to sell coverage to people who do not have a driver’s license. In addition, each insurer has its own criteria for setting rates. So, it is likely that an unlicensed driver will get a better deal with some insurance companies than with others.

There are other things you can do to get a better deal on coverage. Find out about discounts insurance companies offer and whether you qualify for them. Also, consider raising your deductible, as this can lower your premium.

Reasons to get car insurance without a driver’s license

There are many possible reasons why you might want car insurance even if you do not have a driver’s license, such as:

You cannot physically drive

Your health status or age can leave you unable to drive your car. For example, someone might surrender their license or have it revoked for medical reasons, Dawson says. Or perhaps they have a disability that precludes their being licensed. Yet, they own a car in the expectation that others will drive it on their behalf.

“An example of this could be an older person who has a family member drive their vehicle to take them to appointments and errands,” Dawson says.

If someone else drives you around in the car, you need to make sure it is insured.

Your license is suspended

If your license has been suspended for a period, you might want to maintain coverage on your vehicle until the time when you can drive again.

Drivers who do not maintain continuous coverage typically see their premium costs climb once they purchase a new policy.

You own a collector car

Some people purchase vintage or collector cars as an investment and have no intention of driving them. However, they still need the protection that an auto insurance policy provides.

While you can purchase regular auto insurance to protect the car, you may be better off with a special type of policy, Dawson says.

“Classic cars are often better covered under a classic car policy, as the rates are lower and they are specialized in insuring older vehicles,” she says.

You are learning to drive

If you are learning to drive your own car and have a permit but do not have a full license yet, the car must be insured before you take it on practice drives.

You own the car, but someone else drives it

There are many other situations where you might own a car and not have a driver’s license, even if you are perfectly capable of getting a license. If someone else drives your car regularly, the vehicle still needs to be insured. Remember, insurance goes with the car, not the driver.

You don’t own the vehicle outright

“If a vehicle is leased or financed, financial institutions will require you maintain certain coverage, regardless of if you are able to drive or not,” Dawson says.

Major insurers and no-license policies

Getting car insurance when you do not have a driver’s license can be difficult because many major insurers do not offer this type of coverage.

Smaller and regional insurance companies, especially non-standard specialty companies, are more likely to offer coverage to those who do not have a driver’s license. Companies that offer insurance to those without a driver’s license include:

• A-MAX Auto Insurance
• Access Auto Insurance
• OnGuard Auto Insurance

Can you insure a car if your license is suspended?

Getting auto insurance is not only possible if your license has been suspended, it might be necessary to maintain coverage.

"Even if the license is suspended, they will need to maintain insurance to meet the state requirements for insurance on the vehicle," Dawson says.

However, purchasing or maintaining coverage in this situation is not always easy. Many insurance companies simply will not sell you a policy while your license has been suspended.

"A driver may need to go to a non-standard carrier to get coverage during the time the license is suspended," Dawson says.

It's important to note that if your license is suspended, your current auto insurance is unlikely to be canceled. Most states do not allow insurers to cancel a policy except under very specific circumstances, such as if you have engaged in fraud or misrepresentation.

However, once your policy term elapses, it is possible that your insurer will decide not to renew coverage. At that point, you will need to look for new coverage.

“If it is a brief suspension period, they can switch to a carrier who will continue to insurance during the period of suspension, then update the policy once the license has been reinstated,” Dawson says.

Just know that you might have to pay more to secure a policy while your license is suspended.

“The premium will likely be higher during the time they are covered while suspended,” Dawson says.

How can I find car insurance near me without a license?

Not all insurers offer coverage to drivers with a suspended license, making the search for insurance a time-consuming affair. You might have to contact multiple insurers to see whether such coverage is available. Or you can contact an independent insurance agent who can do the research for you.

“Auto insurance is a competitive business, which provides consumers with a lot of choices to select from,” Passmore says. “Shop around with different agents or companies to find a company that offers a policy that fits your needs.”