Permissive Use – What Does It Mean and Does it Cover My Teen?
Since this topic is one of our most popular, I thought I would repost and add more information to this blog. Keep reading to find out when you have to add your youthful driver to your auto policy.
When do you have to add your teenager to your auto insurance policy?
This is a question I get asked all the time and I have heard all kinds of wrong answers. Let’s talk about it!
Most insurance companies require that all people that live at your address and have a driver’s license are added to your policy or can show proof that they have a policy of their own. This includes your children.
In Kentucky, a teenager can get a beginner’s permit at 16 years of age. This permit requires that a legal parent or guardian is in the car with them at all times and they must keep a log of hours driven, including night-time hours. You are not required to add them to you policy during this stage.
After these basic licensing requirements have been met, a youthful driver can get their intermediate permit. This doesn’t require a parent to ride along and there are some time restrictions that must be followed.
IT IS AT THIS TIME YOU MUST ADD THEM TO YOUR POLICY.
Your rates will definitely go up, but you don’t want to put yourself in a position where a carrier won’t pay a claim because the driver wasn’t added or to have your auto insurance be canceled because you didn’t have your new driver added.
There are some insurance agents that will tell you not to worry about adding your teen driver. They have “permissive use” and are automatically covered on your policy. I would ask to see this in the policy documents, in writing!
As I always recommend, be sure to discuss any changes in your household with your insurance agent so they can make sure you have the proper coverage in place to keep you protected. You don’t want to find out after an accident or claim that you don’t have the proper insurance for all the drivers in your household.
Like your mom used to tell you, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is. It will be expensive to add your teen driver to your policy, but not as expensive as a claim that isn’t covered or a subsequent lawsuit.
Don’t take chances with something as important as coverage for your kids. Since kids between the ages of 16 and 19 years old are the most likely of all drivers on the road to be in an auto accident, you want to be sure you are planning for that day. You’ll be worried about them being hurt and about replacing or repairing their vehicle. Make sure you have peace of mind about your auto insurance.
Here are some helpful websites you can visit for more information, as well as the link for the original post.
https://drive.ky.gov/driver-licensing/Pages/Graduated-Driver-Licensing-Program.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html