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J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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Driving without a license is illegal in every U.S. state, but you can insure a car even if you don’t have a driver’s license. Whether your state suspends your license or you’re storing a car you don’t drive, getting car insurance coverage isn’t only possible — it’s essential.
While car insurance companies might hesitate to offer policies to unlicensed drivers, you can use several helpful strategies to work around these obstacles — and save money in the process. In this article, we explain how to insure your car without a license and show you why you can’t afford to neglect it.
You can get insurance without a license, but you’ll typically need to list someone else as the primary driver.
Not all insurance companies offer policies to unlicensed drivers, but companies like The Hartford, State Farm, and USAA might.
You should insure your vehicle even if you don’t drive it for several reasons, including to avoid a lapse in coverage.
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You can get car insurance without a driver’s license, but it may be challenging depending on your situation. Insurers generally prefer issuing policies to licensed drivers because the process is simpler — meaning it takes less time to evaluate your risk and determine your coverage and rate, which saves the insurance company money.
Without a license, you’ll most likely need to exclude yourself as a covered driver and put someone else as the primary driver, like a licensed family member. This often requires additional documentation and special attention from the underwriting team. And it may limit your coverage options depending on the insurer’s rules.
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Getting car insurance without a driver’s license is possible — with some planning. You can use several strategies to get coverage. The best one for you depends on your circumstances, state laws, and the insurance companies available in your area.
Whether you can’t drive due to a health condition, own a vehicle others use, or want to protect your car while you have it parked, there’s probably a solution that fits your needs.
Let’s review some common strategies.
In many cases, you can list someone else as the primary driver on the policy, such as a family member, significant other, or trusted roommate. This option makes sense when someone else regularly drives your car. You’re still responsible for policy, but keep in mind that the insurance company will base your rates on that driver’s record.
You can also list yourself as an excluded driver, meaning the insurer won’t cover you if you drive the car or get into an accident. If you list another driver and exclude yourself from the policy, your insurer will cover them but you maintain vehicle ownership.
If you transfer your vehicle’s registration to someone with a valid license — like a member of your household — the new registrant can insure the car under their name. But transferring registration usually entails transferring ownership, since many states prohibit people from registering a vehicle they don’t own.
If no one is driving your car, parked-car insurance (also called car storage coverage) could be suitable. It’s essentially a comprehensive-only policy, covering your vehicle against non-driving risks like theft, fire, or vandalism — but it doesn’t provide liability insurance or collision coverage. Parked-car insurance is a good choice for classic cars you don’t drive or ones in long-term storage.
Lastly, consider working with an agent who can simplify the process. A knowledgeable agent can guide you through the process and help you find the best car insurance company for your situation. This is an excellent option if you feel overwhelmed or can’t find coverage.
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Many insurance companies won’t offer coverage to drivers without a driver’s license because a valid license signals that you meet legal standards for insurance policies. Plus, it helps companies assess risk based on your driving history, which is necessary for setting premiums.
That said, several insurers may still offer you coverage. Here are a few of the best auto insurers for unlicensed drivers, according to our research.
Compare.com Rating: 4.64 out of 5
Average premium: $153 per month
Drivers without a license may be able to get coverage with The Hartford. The company offers car insurance policies nationwide and has a solid customer service team with fewer-than-average customer complaints. The Hartford partners with AARP to offer additional discounts on premiums. It also awards a 12% discount for bundling auto with a home, condo, or renters policy — with 20% off your dwelling coverage.
Compare.com Rating: 4.90 out of 5
Average premium: $85 per month
State Farm uses a local-agent model to provide highly rated customer service to its customers. That means you’ll have a point person to help you navigate the process if you want to insure your vehicle without a license. The company not only excels with claims management and has plenty of discounts, but its average premiums are well below the national average.
Compare.com Rating: 4.91 out of 5
Average premium: $74 per month
Military members get low rates from USAA, which ranks highest in customer satisfaction from J.D. Power in every market. You can get a policy in any state and save on premiums with USAA’s military-specific discounts and usage-based insurance.
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If you own a car, you should keep it insured whether you drive it. Whether you have a suspended license, share your car, or put it in storage, maintaining coverage protects your financial investment and helps you avoid a costly lapse in coverage. Insuring a vehicle you’re not driving is as important as insuring one you are.
Let’s review some scenarios where you should insure a vehicle you don’t drive.
If the DMV suspended your license, you might think insurance is unnecessary. But you should maintain coverage to avoid an insurance lapse, which typically leads to higher rates when you reinstate your license.
Consider listing someone else as the primary driver or using storage insurance in the meantime.
Most states require insurance for any cars driven on public roads. But it’s always important to insure your car if another person drives it. List the person who uses your car as the primary driver to protect them and your vehicle.
You should have insurance if you’re driving with a learner’s permit. Some insurers offer policies specifically for permit holders, but many require you to join an existing policy (with a licensed driver) if you’re learning on a family member’s car.
If you own a car that someone younger than 18 drives, you need insurance. The policy ensures they’re legally and financially protected while driving. You can also add collision and comprehensive coverage to protect your vehicle.
Even if your car is in storage, it’s wise to keep comprehensive coverage. This protects the vehicle against weather events (as perils named in your policy), fire, and other types of damage while it’s not in use.
Parked car insurance is usually the best choice for long-term storage situations.
Allowing your insurance to lapse usually leads to higher premiums and difficulties getting coverage in the future. Even if you’re not driving, keeping continuous coverage helps maintain your insurability if you plan to drive again.
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Most insurers require a driver’s license to issue a policy because it helps them assess risk accurately and set appropriate rates. Your driver’s license provides essential information about your driving history, such as accidents, moving violations, and how long you’ve been driving. Insurance companies use this data to calculate your premiums and to determine how likely you are to file a claim.
That’s why putting your car in storage or listing someone else as the insured driver is an alternative option. Your insurer can look at the safety of the storage method and facility or the insured driver’s driving record to determine premiums.
You can use several strategies to reduce your premiums, even if you’re not the one driving the car. Here are five tips to help you get the cheapest possible car insurance without a license:
List a low-risk primary driver: Choose a primary driver with a clean driving record to get lower rates.
Opt for parked-car insurance: Comprehensive-only coverage is cheaper and covers non-driving risks like theft or damage if no one will drive the car.
Bundle policies: If you have other insurance policies, such as home or renters insurance, see if you can bundle them for a multi-policy discount.
Work with an independent agent: An insurance agent can help you find companies to insure you. They can also help you tailor a policy to your exact needs.
Shop around: Compare car insurance quotes from different companies on a regular basis to find the best deal.
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Here are some of the most common questions about insuring a car without a driver’s license.
Yes. You can still get car insurance with a suspended license, but insurers will likely require you to name another licensed driver as the primary driver and exclude yourself from the policy during your license suspension. You may also need a company that specializes in high-risk policies.
Yes. Getting car insurance in Texas without a license is possible. But you’ll likely need to name someone else as the primary driver on the policy. Texas insurers are familiar with this scenario, but you may need to shop around to find insurance coverage.
Yes. You can get car insurance without a license in Connecticut. As in other states, you must name a licensed driver as the primary driver. Remember that driving without a valid driver’s license is illegal.
Yes. Indiana allows you to get car insurance without a license. You’ll need to designate a licensed driver as the primary driver on the policy. Shopping around or consulting with a broker may help you find better options.
Data Methodology:
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Sources:
J.D. Power, “2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed September 3, 2024.
J.D. Power, “2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study,” accessed September 3, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Hartford Cas Ins Co National Complaint Index Report,” accessed September 3, 2024.
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, “DMV identification requirements for vehicle registration,” accessed September 3, 2024.
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, “Reinstating Your Driving Privileges,” accessed September 3, 2024.
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J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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