by dmackeycor » Mon Jan 12, 2009 02:47 am
My Farmers Insurance Agent charged me an additional $215 a month when my 17 year old son had his learners permit and was learning to drive in my car. After speaking with other parents and my sons friends I found out that no one else had to pay additional premiums to cover their teens while learning to drive in a car that already had insurance. The car my son used to learn how to drive was insured my Farmers. I live in California. Where can I find information on learner permit insurance requirements? Is this legal?
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 07:38 am Post Subject:
Hey, introducing a teenage driver always takes a toll on the auto insurance premium. And, since he is going to learn driving in your car, the insurance rates will go up.
In some states the driver with a learners permit is also required to carry the proof of financial responsibilities, whereas in some other states he/she can be included in the existing policy of the vehicle owner
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 07:42 am Post Subject:
I'd suggest that you shop around to see who offers lower premium rate or no rate change for including a driver with learners permit.
Though what Anony has states is correct that young drivers often force the premium rates to change, it also largely depend upon the insurance companies as well. Some would charge you out of the place for adding the young driver in your policy, some would not till he gets the valid driving license and start driving the car regularly.
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:26 am Post Subject:
I'm sure that when you've added your son to your coverage you'd surely be looking to get your son covered properly. Why I say this is 'cuz by doing so you'd share your son's financial responsibility as well. Also, would like you to go through the following information-
dmv.org/ca-california/drivers-permits.php
dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr18.htm#minliareq
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 03:10 pm Post Subject:
I'm guessing those other people never told their insurance company about the new driver. Liability insurance cost is based on drivers, not vehicles.
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 03:14 pm Post Subject:
dmackeycor, I'm with Tcope, more than likley their carriers either didn't know, or didn't care (agent)...until the driver had a license...You can contact your states Dept. of Ins. (they have a web site and consumer assistance)...to see if this is required....(i'm betting it is if known)
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 04:06 pm Post Subject:
Wow, I have never heard of this . . .
In most states a driver with a learner's permit is afforded coverage under the automobile policy of parents or guardians and (coverage) extends to the registered vehicle that the learner is driving.
This is common practice as far as I know it. Of course, once the teen driver gets a drivers license, he/she must be named as an insured in the auto policy and the premium will then go through the roof.
I have never heard of a vehicle insurance company charging a premium for a "permit" driver or actually naming the youthful driver in the policy as long as he/she only had a permit.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 01:47 am Post Subject:
I have never heard of an insurance company charging a premium for a "permit" driver or actually naming the youthful driver in the policy as long as he/she only had a permit
yeah, me either, although i'm betting if the kid can drive at all (permit) then he can and should be named as a 'driver' on one of the parents policys (unless he has his own vehicle already)...of course as you said, 'to the moon alice' with your premiums...most people wait to tell their agents until the kid actually has their license (i sure did)....and most agents are cool with this (mine was)....but i'm betting that when it comes right down to it, they are driving and they are a resident of the household...err-go they can collect that giant premium increase, (however i must say this is an agent that isn't worried about client rention :roll: )Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 04:49 am Post Subject: insurance
"Ten feet tall and bullet proof."...LOL That was a good one, FIREYONE..and very true. WOW!!! That seems like such an Extremely big 'hike' in premiums.....$215.00 MORE?? Goodness.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 06:53 am Post Subject:
I'm guessing those other people never told their insurance company about the new driver. Liability insurance cost is based on drivers, not vehicles.
Can this be termed as misrepresentation of facts by the insurer? what are the consequences that the policy would face if the young driver wreck the car? Will the damages be covered by the insurance company?
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 02:14 pm Post Subject:
WOW!!! That seems like such an Extremely big 'hike' in premiums
just wait till your boy gets his license SD, and be setting down when you talk to your agent... :roll: holy moly did it surprise me....it also pushed us to buy the kids (safe) beaters of their own that could carry liability only on them...Can this be termed as misrepresentation of facts by the insurer?
No it wouldn't be mis-rep. if the insured however had received a letter from their carrier with renewal that says something like, 'your premiums are based on two drivers in the household over 48 years of age driving less than 12k per year, please contact your agent immediately if this is not correct'...(i don't know if all carriers do this, every renewal i get says this)...then i suppose there could be a problem, but I've handled a lot of these claims over the years, and they always cover the claim...in most instances the insured is required to pay the back premium for the claim to be covered, which of course they always do...what are the consequences that the policy would face if the young driver wreck the car? Will the damages be covered by the insurance company?
I really don't know any consequences other than having to pay the backed up premium...none that I've ever seen anyway.Add your comment