Can a Minor Get Car Insurance?

Every state requires that drivers of all ages carry some type of car insurance. Each state sets a minimum threshold of the amount of liability insurance a driver must have. Car insurance for minors can be expensive because teenagers are new drivers and have a higher probability of car accidents. Other factors determine the insurance premium include the type of vehicle, the age of vehicle and where you live.

Requirements

The state and the insurance company set age and driver requirements for insurance. Some insurance companies provide car insurance to teenagers who have a learner's permit but may require the teen to be on the same insurance policy as the adult who will be supervising the learner's driving. Other insurance companies may decline coverage to students who have not yet passed a driver's license test. State age requirements for learner's permits vary from ages 14 to 17. Check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles about the laws on minors getting behind the wheel.

State Law

Before you start shopping for car insurance, find out what minimum amount of insurance your state requires. Visit the website of Edgar Snyder & Associates for a clickable map that shows the minimum car insurance requirements of each state.

Good Student Discounts

Some insurance companies offer "good student discounts" for teens who get good grades. For example, Esurance offers a good student discount for drivers who are 25-years-old or younger, maintain a 3.0 GPA or better, and are enrolled full-time in high school.

Young Driver Course

Taking a safe driver's course can improve a minor's chances of qualifying for a discount on car insurance. Be wary of online driving classes; in most cases, the class needs to be accredited in order to qualify for an insurance discount. For example, National Driver Safety Services offers California DMV-accredited safe-driving courses for teens.

Proceed With Caution

According the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for American teenagers. Drivers between 16 and 19 years old are four times more likely than older drivers to crash their cars. Unfortunately, alcohol often plays a part in these accidents---according to Online Lawyer Source, 25 percent of teen crashes involve alcohol.