Car Insurance With a Learner’s Permit: USAA
Here’s everything you need to know about securing USAA car insurance coverage for a driver with a learner’s permit.
Written by Jaya Anandjit
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In most states, minimum car insurance requirements apply to all drivers, even those who only have their learner’s permit. If your teen driver just got their learner’s permit, you’ll need to add them to your
USAA
policy as a secondary driver and update your policy when they receive their full license.Congrats! Your teen is finally learning to drive, which means you can hand them off your car keys and all those pesky errands when they get their full license. But let’s be honest—being responsible for a teen driver can be stressful, especially when it comes to adding them to your car insurance policy.
While their premium may be high, adding a teen driver to your USAA auto insurance policy is fairly straightforward and provides peace of mind for when your child hits the road. Here’s everything you need to know about USAA
car insurance
policies, learner’s permits, and teen drivers.Do you need car insurance with a learner’s permit?
Just like every other driver, those with learner’s permits must carry proof of the
minimum insurance required by their state
. That said, some states do not require student drivers to take out an insurance policy until after they’ve gained a license that allows them to drive on their own. Also,
New Hampshire
does not require drivers to have auto insurance (only adequate proof of financial responsibility), so if your child is getting their license in this state, you won’t have to worry about getting them on a policy. Be sure to contact USAA at 800-531-8722 to verify whether your child is required on an insurance policy with their learner’s permit in your state.
Does USAA offer insurance for learner’s permits?
Yes, USAA offers insurance coverage for drivers with learner’s permits.
As a USAA policyholder, you can add your child or stepchild to your insurance policy. USAA recommends that you add your teen driver to your insurance as soon as they get their learner’s permit. Thankfully, there is no charge to add a learning driver to your policy, so you won’t have to pay the frightening fees associated with insuring teen drivers just yet.
Once your child obtains their full license, you’ll need to update your policy with their new driving designation. This is where the added cost comes in, but don’t worry—we’ve included some tips to help you lower your teen driver car insurance rates.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat kind of car insurance coverage does a student driver need?
Technically, each driver is only required to have their state’s minimum insurance requirements on their policy to legally operate a vehicle. State laws typically mandate
liability insurance
including bodily injury liability and property damage liability—although some states also require uninsured motorist coverage
and personal injury protection (PIP)
.So, when learning to drive, student drivers only need the minimum insurance requirements outlined by their state. But alongside paying a high premium for a teen driver, you’ll want to lower the chances of paying a high repair bill or having to replace your vehicle altogether if any damages occur while they’re driving.
For this reason, it may be wise to invest in
collision
and comprehensive coverage
on your new driver’s policy once they get their full license. These coverage options will ensure that the designated vehicle is protected in any cases of car accidents, theft, or covered weather events. How to get USAA car insurance with a learner’s permit
As a USAA auto insurance policyholder, you can add your child, stepchild, significant other, or anyone who lives at the same address as you on your policy when they get their learner’s permit. Here’s a quick rundown of how to add a student driver to your existing policy—or how to purchase a separate policy for them.
Adding a student driver to an existing policy
To add a student driver to an existing USAA policy, you can do any of the following:
- Visit the USAA website: Log into your policy account using your online ID and follow the virtual steps to add a student driver to your policy
- Call USAA: You can call USAA at 800-531-8722 to add a student driver to your existing policy
Remember, USAA does not charge any fees to add a student driver to an existing policy. Once a student driver becomes fully licensed, you’ll need to update the policy and begin paying a higher premium to keep them insured.
Buying separate car insurance for a student driver
Buying a separate car insurance policy for a student driver is not necessary, especially if there is an existing policy that they could be added to. But if you want to get your student driver on a policy of their own, you’ll need to have a separate registered vehicle for the new policy.
To set up the policy, call USAA and discuss your options. Some insurance companies are willing to insure learning drivers for free until they acquire their full license, whereas others will not provide a separate policy for a student driver until they have a full license.
How to save on USAA car insurance costs as a student driver
Insuring a learning or new driver may seem like a real wallet-drainer. In fact, car insurance for teen drivers costs around $1,350 per year with USAA, and rates don’t typically settle down until the driver turns 25.
Thankfully, there are a few ways you can save on USAA car insurance costs as a teen or student driver. Here are some of the discounts that USAA offers:
- Driver training discount: eligible drivers can save on their car insurance costs when they complete a basic driver training course.
- Good student discount: Drivers under 25 years old who are enrolled in high school, college, or university and maintain a B average or higher can receive a car insurance discount from USAA.
- USAA SafePilot: USAA’s SafePilot safe driving program can reward drivers with up to 30% off their policy when they practice safe driving habits.
- Multi-vehicle discount: If you have one or more vehicles on your policy, you may be eligible for a multi-vehicle discount on all applicable policies.
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FAQs
Does USAA allow permissive use?
Yes. Your USAA policy covers anyone who is permitted to use your vehicle. If you allow someone to drive your vehicle for 60 days or more, USAA recommends you add them to your policy.
Can you get car insurance with a learner’s permit in NY?
Yes, you can get car insurance with a learner’s permit in New York. As long as the vehicle you intend to drive is registered, you can set up a policy. If the vehicle is registered under someone else’s name and insured under their policy, you’ll need to join that policy as a secondary driver.
Is an insurance policy required for a learner’s permit in California?
Yes, the state of California requires an auto insurance policy for a driver with a learner’s permit. Learning drivers must be on an insurance policy with California’s minimum insurance requirement, which includes $15,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, $30,000 of bodily injury liability per person, and $5,000 for property damage liability per accident.
