Auto Insurance: Who's Tracking My License?

It is possible to get car insurance without a license, but it is generally more difficult and expensive. Most national insurers, such as State Farm, Progressive, or Travelers, won't sell car insurance to unlicensed drivers. However, some smaller, local insurance companies may be more familiar with state guidelines and have options for unlicensed drivers. Unlicensed drivers can purchase a vehicle but will not be able to drive it, and they will need to be listed as an excluded driver on the policy.

• You have a classic car that you don't drive.
• Your driver's license has been suspended or revoked.
• You can no longer drive due to age or health problems, but someone else drives your car. | | Ways to get car insurance without a license | - List yourself as an excluded driver.
• Keep your car parked and buy parked-car insurance.
• Buy SR-22 insurance (if your license has been suspended).
• Add a co-owner to your car's registration. |

Excluding yourself as a driver

High-risk drivers are often those with a poor driving record, including DUIs, speeding tickets, or at-fault accidents. By excluding a high-risk driver, policyholders can avoid the increased insurance premiums that come with having a high-risk driver on their policy. However, it is important to note that not all states allow policyholders to exclude household members from coverage. Some states prohibit excluding anyone of driving age in the household, while others may require excluded drivers to have their own auto insurance before being excluded from a policy.

If you exclude yourself as a driver, it is essential to understand the consequences. Firstly, you will not be covered by your insurance company if you drive any of the vehicles listed on your policy. If you get into an accident, you will be treated as an uninsured driver and will be held liable for all damages and injuries. Additionally, you may face legal consequences, such as fines and vehicle impoundment.

It is also worth noting that auto insurance companies typically require a valid driver's license to provide coverage. If you do not have a license, you may need to list someone else as the primary driver on your policy or explore alternative options such as parked-car insurance or SR-22 insurance.

Keeping your car parked

Location:

If possible, park your car indoors, such as in a garage. This provides safety from theft and protection from outdoor elements like sunlight, bird droppings, and tree sap, all of which can damage your car's paint and finish over time. If you don't have access to indoor parking, consider investing in a portable car shelter or a fitted car cover. These options can shield your car from the sun, tree sap, and bird droppings, keeping your car's exterior in better condition.

Handbrake and Gear:

Avoid engaging the handbrake when leaving your car for an extended period. Doing so may cause the brake pads to stick to the discs or drums, leading to issues when you drive next. Instead, use wheel chocks, such as a piece of wood or a brick, to prevent the car from rolling, and leave the car in first gear.

Spark Plug and Fuel:

Before storing your car, consider removing the spark plugs and spraying a small amount of oil into the plug sockets before reinserting them. This will help prevent rusting inside the cylinder head. Additionally, fill up your fuel tank with high-quality petrol and consider adding fuel additives. This will help prevent moisture from entering the tank and causing rust.

Battery:

If you plan to store your car for a long time, it's best to remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Before removing the battery, smear petroleum jelly or grease on the terminals and wire ends to prevent rusting. Ensure the battery is fully charged and topped up with water.

Interior and Exterior Cleaning:

Before parking your car, thoroughly clean the interior and exterior. Remove any trash, food wrappers, old newspapers, or water bottles to prevent rot and avoid attracting rodents that can cause damage. Additionally, clean the exterior to remove any dirt, dust, or grime. Apply a coat of polish and wax to protect the paint job and keep moisture away.

Tyres:

Check your tyre pressure and ensure they are properly inflated. Proper inflation helps prevent cracking of the sidewalls and flat spots. If you're storing the car for a very long time, consider using jacks or blocks of wood to lift the car, so it doesn't rest on the wheels, preventing flat spots from developing.

Insurance:

If your car will be parked for an extended period, consider purchasing parked-car insurance or storage insurance. This type of insurance provides comprehensive coverage for your parked car, protecting it from theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.

Registration and License:

Keep your car's registration and insurance up to date, even if it's not being driven. Most states require vehicles to be insured, and you may face penalties if your registration or insurance lapses. Additionally, if you have a suspended license, you may need SR-22 insurance to prove financial responsibility and meet state requirements.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your car remains in good condition during extended periods of storage and is ready for the road when you need it again.

Buying SR-22 insurance

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility or a "Certificate of Financial Responsibility," "SR-22 Bond," or "SR-22 Form." It is not an insurance type but a document from your state's department of motor vehicles. It is required for some drivers by court order or state mandate, and it proves that your auto insurance policy meets the minimum liability coverage required by state law.

If you need to buy SR-22 insurance, you will need to contact an auto insurance company. The insurer will file the SR-22 document with your state. Since an SR-22 shows you have the minimum required car insurance in your state, you will need to have car insurance before you can get the SR-22.

If you already have car insurance, your insurer can file the document with your state. You will be charged a fee for this service, and not all car insurance companies will offer SR-22s, so you may need to switch insurance companies.

If you need to buy car insurance, you will need to alert the insurer about the SR-22 requirement. The policy application should have a question like "Need an SR-22 or Certificate of Financial Responsibility?" Your new insurer will file the SR-22 on your behalf for a fee if they accept SR-22 drivers.

Some insurance companies that generally are willing to file SR-22s include:

• USAA
• Progressive
• American Family
• GEICO
• The Hartford

The cost to file an SR-22 is relatively inexpensive and typically costs about $25, depending on your state and insurance company. However, having an SR-22 will likely increase your auto insurance rates. This increase will depend on the issue that brought about the SR-22 requirement. For example, a DUI conviction will significantly increase your insurance costs.

Adding a co-owner to your car's registration

Firstly, you must decide who you want to add as a co-owner. This person must be aware of, and agree to becoming a co-owner. Then, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to make an appointment. You will need to take your vehicle title and current registration with you to the DMV. Both you and the co-owner must appear in person with valid identification to change a title, or you must provide a power of attorney.

The process will involve performing a title transfer, similar to when you originally purchased the vehicle and had the title transferred to your name. If there is a lien holder listed on the title, you will need written permission from them to change the title. You will need to sign off the title as the seller, and enter the vehicle mileage and your current address. Enter both your name and the co-owner's name as purchasers of the vehicle, along with the current address and signatures of both parties. Note that transfers to immediate family members are not subject to state sales tax.

Present the title, registration and both drivers' licenses to the clerk at the DMV office and ask to have the title and registration transferred into both names. You will need to pay a title change fee, which differs in every state. Finally, add the name of your new co-owner to your vehicle insurance by calling your insurance company and providing the requested information.

Getting parked-car insurance

In most US states, vehicle owners are required to meet certain auto insurance requirements to drive legally on public roads. However, this does not necessarily mean that you need insurance if your car is parked and not being driven.

When you don't need parked-car insurance

If your car is parked on private property, such as your driveway or garage, and you have no intention of driving it, you may not need to insure it. However, this does expose you to the risk of having to pay for any damage to your car out of pocket, and you may struggle to get insurance in the future if insurers see you as a high-risk customer.

When you do need parked-car insurance

If your car is parked on a public road, you will need to carry at least the minimum liability coverage required by your state. For example, in Texas, this is $30,000 of individual bodily injury coverage, $60,000 of overall bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage per accident.

To get insurance for your parked vehicle, you will need to call your insurance company and see if they provide this type of coverage. Most insurers will require you to keep your vehicle in storage for at least 30 days to be eligible. Here are some things you may need to do to insure a parked vehicle:

• Have a "fully" insured vehicle: You will usually need to have a car that is insured to at least the minimum liability limits in your state before you can drop coverage for another car.
• Own the vehicle: You won't be able to reduce coverage for a vehicle to "storage" or "non-use" if you're financing or leasing it.
• Cancel your registration: If you drop your liability coverage without cancelling your registration, you may be fined.
• Shop around: If your insurer doesn't offer parked-car insurance, you may need to find a new carrier. Many insurance companies offer this low-cost solution, so you should have plenty of options.

Frequently asked questions