Insurance For Learner Drivers: What You Need To Know

If you're learning to drive, you'll need to get a learner's permit and insurance. The type of insurance you need will depend on the country you're in, who owns the car you're learning in, and who is supervising you. In the UK, for example, you'll need your own insurance as a learner driver if you're practising in a car you own. If you're learning in someone else's car, you'll need to be covered by the car owner's insurance policy or take out your own insurance policy. In Ireland, you'll need a learner permit and possibly car insurance. If you're learning with a professional driving instructor, you'll be covered by their car insurance policy.

Learner driver insurance requirements

Learner Driver Insurance in the UK

In the UK, learner drivers are required to have a provisional driving licence and insurance before they can take driving lessons or practise. If a learner driver is practising in their own car, they must have their own insurance. Their family member or friend who is supervising them will usually be covered by this insurance. When practising in someone else's car, learner drivers have two options: they can be added to the car owner's insurance policy as a named driver, or they can take out their own insurance policy.

Learner Driver Insurance in Ireland

In Ireland, learner drivers need a learner permit and possibly car insurance. If they are learning with a driving instructor, they are covered by the instructor's car insurance policy. However, if they are practising in their own car or a car owned by a family member or friend, they will need their own insurance as a learner driver.

Learner Driver Insurance in the US

In the US, new drivers, including those with a learner's permit, are required to have auto insurance. Permit drivers are typically eligible for coverage under their parent's existing auto insurance policy. However, if the permit holder lives separately from their parent or guardian and is not attending school, they may need to purchase a separate auto insurance policy.

Types of Learner Driver Insurance

There are typically three main types of learner driver insurance offering different levels of protection: third-party insurance, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive or 'fully comp' insurance. Third-party insurance covers damage to someone else or their property. Third-party fire and theft include coverage for car theft or fire. Comprehensive insurance covers all parties involved in accidents and damage caused by vandalism, in addition to theft and fire.

Driving instructor insurance

The cost of driving instructor insurance is determined by several factors. Firstly, the hours an instructor works will determine their risk factor. Full-time instructors are considered higher risk than part-time instructors and will therefore pay more for their insurance. Secondly, the type of instructor also determines the risk factor. Potential Driving Instructors (PDIs) are considered higher risk than Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) because they are serving a 6-month probationary period. Thirdly, the type of car used for instruction will influence the insurance costs. Cars with larger engine sizes and transmissions will be more expensive to insure. Lastly, the location of the driving school can also affect the cost of insurance. Some areas are considered higher risk than others, which leads to higher insurance costs.

There are three main types of driving instructor insurance policies, each offering a different level of cover. The more comprehensive the cover, the more expensive the premium. The three types of cover are:

• Third-party insurance: This covers damage to someone else or their property.
• Third-party, fire, and theft: This includes cover for the instructor's car if it is stolen or catches fire.
• Comprehensive or 'fully comp': This allows the instructor to claim the costs of repairing or replacing their car if they are at fault in an accident.

In addition to the standard cover, driving instructors may also need to purchase add-ons to their policy. For example, instructors who teach drivers under the age of 17 will need to purchase additional cover. Instructors may also want to consider purchasing the following types of cover:

• Personal accident cover: This covers the instructor and their passengers in the event of an accident.
• Negligent tuition cover: This protects the instructor against any claims made by learners as a result of an accident.
• Public liability insurance: This is mandatory for any business and covers the instructor and their business if they are sued for damages as a result of negligence.
• Uninsured driver protection: This covers the instructor if they are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Car insurance for learner drivers

Car insurance is compulsory for learner drivers. However, the type of insurance and the level of coverage depend on various factors, such as the driver's age, location, and who owns the car being used for practice.

In some places, learner drivers are legally required to hold insurance. For example, in the US, drivers with a learner's permit must have auto insurance. Each state sets its own minimum insurance requirements, and liability coverage should be sufficient to cover assets in case of injury or property damage caused by the permit driver.

Similarly, in Ireland, learner drivers need a permit and possibly car insurance. If you are practising in your own car, you will need your own car insurance. Getting learner driver insurance can be expensive, so it is recommended to shop around for quotes and compare what is on offer. Some insurance companies offer specific discounts for learner drivers.

If you are learning with a professional driving instructor, you are typically covered by their car insurance policy. This means you don't need to purchase your own insurance to learn to drive in their car. However, if you are practising in a car owned by a family member or friend, you may need to be added to their existing insurance policy or purchase your own insurance.

There are different levels of car insurance coverage available for learner drivers, including third-party insurance, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive or 'fully comp' insurance. The more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the premium. It is important to weigh the costs and benefits of each option and choose the one that best suits your needs and situation.

Annual vs temporary insurance

In most places, learner drivers are legally required to have car insurance. The type of insurance you choose depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Here is a comparison between annual and temporary insurance to help you decide which option is best for you.

Annual Insurance

Annual insurance is a long-term option for learner drivers who are not planning on taking their test or potentially passing in the near future. It offers varying levels of cover, including third party, fire and theft, social, domestic and pleasure, and fully comprehensive. While it can be a hassle to cancel an annual policy, as it often involves cancellation costs, it is a good choice for those who need insurance for a full year.

Temporary Insurance

Temporary insurance is ideal for learner drivers who want flexibility and do not want to commit to the expense of an annual policy. It is a cost-effective option for those who only practice driving on weekends or for a short period before their test. Temporary insurance allows you to pay for what you need, with policies ranging from 12 hours to 28 days, or even up to 5 months. It offers fully comprehensive cover as standard, which includes protection for any damage sustained to yourself, the vehicle, or any third parties. Additionally, temporary insurance provides the benefit of a refund for the unused premium if you pass your test before the policy elapses.

Factors to Consider

When deciding between annual and temporary insurance, consider the following:

• The frequency and duration of your driving practice. If you practice occasionally or for short periods, temporary insurance may be more cost-effective.
• Your plans for taking the driving test. If you intend to take the test soon and pass quickly, temporary insurance can save you money and the hassle of cancelling an annual policy.
• The level of cover you require. If fully comprehensive cover is important to you, temporary insurance typically offers this as standard, whereas annual insurance may offer lower levels of cover.
• The potential impact on a vehicle owner's No Claims Discount. Adding a learner driver to an annual policy as a named driver can affect their No Claims Discount and increase their insurance costs. Temporary insurance allows you to avoid this issue.

Insurance for provisional license holders

If you're a provisional licence holder, you must have valid insurance in place before you drive on the roads. The type of insurance you need depends on your situation.

Learning with a professional instructor

If you're learning to drive with a professional instructor in their car, you won't need your own insurance policy. The driving school or instructor will have a policy that covers their students. However, it's always a good idea to check with them before your first lesson to be sure.

Learning in your own car

If you're practising in your own car, you'll need your own insurance policy. You can buy learner driver insurance, which works in the same way as standard car insurance but is usually more expensive. You can choose from three main types of cover:

• Third-party insurance covers damage to someone else or their property.
• Third-party, fire and theft insurance cover damage to someone else or their property, as well as covering you if your car is stolen or catches fire.
• Comprehensive or 'fully comp' insurance covers all of the above, plus the costs of repairing or replacing your own car if you were at fault for an accident.

Learning in someone else's car

If you're learning to drive in a friend or family member's car, you have two options. You can either be added to their existing insurance policy as a 'named driver', or you can take out your own insurance policy. Adding a learner driver to an existing policy may increase the premiums, but taking out your own insurance will allow you to start building up your no-claims bonus.

Other considerations

When choosing an insurance policy, it's important to consider factors such as the age and qualifications of the supervising driver, as well as any constraints on when and where you can drive. It's also worth shopping around for quotes and comparing different options to find the best deal. Remember, the law requires all drivers on public roads to be properly insured, and there are penalties for driving without insurance.

Frequently asked questions