How to Add Your Child with a Learner’s Permit to Your Insurance Policy

The minimum approved age to get a learner’s permit for a boy or girl is 16 years. This permit can be converted into a valid driving license only when your child reaches 18 years of age. Although your insurance premium increases significantly, a child with a learner’s permit could be added to your own policy as an occasional driver. Note that it is not mandatory to add your child with a learner’s permit to your insurance policy. Consider the following steps to add your child with a learner’s permit to your insurance policy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Call your insurance company and inform them that you wish to add the name of a family member to your existing policy. Usually at the time of providing insurance, the company tries to find out if other members of the family will drive the same car.

2. Talk tactfully to the company representative. The name of your child will be added in your policy, making them eligible to drive in the United States. Depending on the age of your child, your insurance premium will be readjusted.

3. Ask for a reduced rate. If your child is only going to drive occasionally, companies may offer a lower increase in your premium.
   

4. Enroll your child into a good driver’s education course. This can help in reducing your premium increase.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your child shows good academic progress. In many cases, insurance companies lower the rate if a child has grade that are an average of B or higher. Note that this is valid even for teenagers above 18 who have a driver’s license.
• Ensure that your child drives only occasionally. This reduces the risk of your car being damaged and will reduce your insurance premium.
• Avoid insuring your child to drive a sports car. This will increase your premium drastically.

[mcsticks]

on 3/17/2009 I would like to eliminate my 17 yr old as an occasional driver under my policy. Is it so that she would still fall under my current policy as she is a minor living under my roof? It would cut down on my premiums as well