Learner Driver Insurance: Am I Covered?

If you're learning to drive, you'll need to get insured. In the UK, learner drivers must have valid car insurance to drive on public roads. Most driving schools include insurance in their lesson fees, but if you want to practice outside of lessons, you'll need to get separate learner insurance. This can be done through a short-term, flexible policy that covers you for a set number of days or on a pay-as-you-go basis. You'll also need to decide on the level of cover you want, from third-party only to comprehensive. As a learner, you'll also need to follow certain restrictions, such as always being accompanied by a qualified driver.

Driving your own car

If you are a learner driver practising in your own car, you will need your own insurance. Your family member or friend supervising you will usually be covered by your insurance. However, some insurance companies require the person supervising to be over 25 years old.

If you are the sole owner of the car, you may have to buy a separate car insurance policy. This is because some states require you to have a license to register a car, so you may need to name a licensed driver as a co-owner of the vehicle.

You can be added to your parents' car insurance policy if you are a teenager. Young adults who have just started driving can typically buy a standalone car insurance policy or join a policy held by an insured individual they live with, such as a spouse or roommate.

It is important to note that car insurance usually follows the car rather than the driver, meaning your vehicle is covered as long as the person driving has your permission. However, it is best to add anyone who regularly drives your car to your policy. Otherwise, your insurance company could deny a claim if the driver gets into an accident.

Driving someone else's car

When it comes to driving someone else's car as a learner, there are a few things you need to keep in mind regarding insurance. Firstly, understand that as a learner driver, you are likely covered by the car owner's insurance policy, assuming you have their permission to drive. Most standard insurance policies will provide coverage for any driver as long as they have the car owner's consent. However, it's important to check the specifics of the owner's insurance policy to ensure that learner drivers are indeed included in their coverage. Get in touch with the insurer or carefully review the policy documents to confirm this detail.

Even though the car owner's insurance might cover you as a learner driver, it's important to be aware that the level of coverage may vary. In some cases, the insurance policy may only provide third-party coverage for learner drivers, which means you're covered for damage to third-party property or injuries, but not for any damage to the car you're driving. Comprehensive insurance, which covers damage to the vehicle you're driving as well as third-party property, is usually more expensive and may not be included for learner drivers.

If you plan on driving someone else's car regularly, it might be worth considering being added as a named driver on their insurance policy. This option often provides more comprehensive coverage compared to simply relying on their standard policy. By being a named driver, you'll have clearer and more detailed insurance protection, and the car owner may also benefit from a more competitive insurance premium. However, keep in mind that this option might not be available with all insurers or in all circumstances.

In some cases, you might find that the car owner's insurance policy does not cover learner drivers at all. In such situations, you would need to arrange your own insurance to be properly covered. Short-term or temporary learner driver insurance policies can be purchased to cover you while you're learning to drive or during a specific period when you need to use someone else's car. These policies can provide comprehensive, third-party, fire, and theft coverage, or third-party only coverage, depending on your requirements and budget.

Provisional insurance cover levels

In the UK, anyone driving on public roads, including those with a provisional licence, must legally have valid car insurance. Driving schools usually include insurance in their lesson fees, so learners are covered during lessons with an instructor. However, if you want to practise outside of lessons, in your own car or someone else's, you'll need separate learner insurance.

There are three levels of provisional insurance cover to choose from:

Third-Party Only

This is the minimum cover required by law. It only covers you if you injure other people or damage their property. It is typically the cheapest type of car insurance policy available.

Third-Party, Fire, and Theft

This offers third-party cover and also covers you if your car is stolen or damaged by fire. It is often considered a mid-level insurance option, balancing affordability and coverage.

Comprehensive

This includes all the benefits of third-party, fire, and theft cover, and can also cover injuries to you or damage to your car. It also offers protection against other risks such as theft, fire, vandalism, and damage caused by severe weather conditions. It is the most expensive type of car insurance policy due to its extensive coverage.

You can also get extra cover such as personal accident cover, motor legal protection, and breakdown cover.

The duration of your learner insurance policy is also flexible. You can get cover from 1 hour to 28 days, or choose 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, or 240 days of cover, with the option to extend the policy by 7 or 14 days until you pass.

Insurance for driving tests

If you are practising driving in your own car, you will need provisional or learner insurance. If you are using a friend or family member's car, their insurance policy must cover you as a learner driver. If not, you will need to take out a separate learner insurance policy.

Learner driver insurance provides short-term provisional cover for new drivers before they take their driving test. It covers you for both private lessons and practice. You can take out learner insurance for as little as one day or for as long as five months.

In the UK, anyone driving on public roads, including those with a provisional licence, must legally have valid car insurance. Most driving schools include insurance in their lesson fees, so learners are covered during lessons with an instructor. However, if you want to practice outside of lessons, you will need separate learner insurance.

There are three levels of provisional insurance cover: third-party only, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive. Third-party only is the minimum cover required by law, covering you only if you injure other people or damage their property. Third-party fire and theft offer the same cover but also cover you if your car is stolen or damaged by fire. Comprehensive cover includes all of the above and can also cover injuries to you or damage to your car.

You can also add extra cover to your learner insurance, such as personal accident cover, motor legal protection, and breakdown cover.

Extra cover options

When it comes to extra cover options for learner drivers, there are several things to consider. Firstly, it's important to understand the different types of insurance policies available. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to the learner driver's car and their liability for any damage caused to other people's property, including their vehicles. This is often the most expensive option.

Alternatively, you could consider a Third-Party Property, Fire, and Theft policy, which covers damage to other people's property and vehicles, as well as fire and theft of the learner driver's car. If the learner driver's car has a low market value, this may be a more cost-effective option.

In addition to these standard cover options, there are several extra cover options to consider:

• Legal liability cover: This provides protection in case someone is injured or their property is damaged during an accident. For example, Aviva offers up to £5 million in legal liability cover.
• Emergency expenses cover: This covers medical expenses for anyone injured in an accident, including the learner driver and their passengers. Again, Aviva offers this type of cover.
• No Claims Discount: If you have an annual insurance policy and don't make any claims during the year, you may earn a No Claims Discount. This can result in lower premiums the following year.
• Short-term or annual policy: Learner drivers can choose between short-term and annual insurance policies. Short-term policies are more flexible and can be purchased for a duration of one day to a few months. However, they usually cease as soon as the learner passes their driving test. Annual policies, on the other hand, provide continuous cover even after passing the test.
• Instructor cover: Some insurance policies, such as Marmalade's, cover the supervising driver until the end of the session if they need to take over for any reason.
• Multi-car discount: If you have multiple cars in your household, you may be able to get a discount on your insurance. For example, Aviva offers a 10% discount when you add additional cars to your policy.
• Discounts for additional cover: Some insurance providers offer discounts when you add extra cover options. For example, Budget Direct offers a 15% discount on comprehensive cover, third-party property, and fire and theft cover.
• Skilled Drivers discount: AAMI offers a Skilled Drivers discount, where young drivers can undertake a driving course to improve their skills and save up to 10% on their comprehensive cover.

Frequently asked questions