Your teen is learning to drive…or maybe they’ve already got their license. Either way, you’re probably wondering: how does car insurance actually work for someone who’s under 18? Do they need their own policy? When do you have to add them? What does Pennsylvania require?
Let’s walk through it.
Do Teen Drivers Need Their Own Insurance Policy?
In most cases, no. And honestly, getting a separate policy for a minor is usually not even an option. Teenagers under the age of 18 generally can’t get their own auto insurance policy. Instead, they need to be added to a parent or guardian’s existing policy.
The good news is that this is typically the more affordable route anyway. A standalone teen policy (if it were available) would be far more expensive than adding them to yours, since they can’t benefit from your driving history or existing discounts.
What About While They Have a Learner’s Permit?
Here’s something a lot of parents don’t realize: you may not need to add your teen to your policy the moment they get their permit. Pennsylvania law does not require a teenager with a learner’s permit to be added to an insurance policy. But insurance is required the day they obtain a driver’s license, regardless of whether they have their own car.
That said, every insurance company handles this a little differently. Some carriers require teens to be added when they get their permit, though they may not charge a premium until the teen is actually licensed. It’s worth a quick call to your insurer to find out exactly where they stand.
Pennsylvania’s Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) System
Pennsylvania uses a three-stage licensing process for teen drivers, and each stage has its own rules.
Learner’s Permit: At age 16, a teen can apply for a learner’s permit by passing a physical exam, vision exam, and written test. A licensed adult who is at least 21 years old must be present in the vehicle whenever the permit holder is driving.
Junior License: After holding a learner’s permit for at least six months, teens can apply for a junior license. There are restrictions though, teens may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless traveling to or from work or a school activity, and they may not transport more than one non-family passenger under 18 without an adult present.
Full License: At 18, all junior license restrictions are lifted and teens can apply for an unrestricted license.
Why does this matter for insurance? Violations during any of these stages can affect your family’s premium. Minors who accumulate six driving points or are caught speeding 26 mph or more over the limit face a 90-day license suspension, and a subsequent violation results in a 120-day suspension.
What Coverage Does PA Require?
Pennsylvania requires a minimum liability insurance policy of at least $15,000 bodily injury per person, $30,000 bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 property damage per accident. All Pennsylvania drivers must also carry $5,000 in medical benefits coverage.
Those are the minimums, but they’re often not enough, especially with a newer driver on your policy. Many families opt for higher limits and add collision and comprehensive coverage for added protection.
One important PA-specific note: Pennsylvania does not include uninsured motorist coverage for damage to your vehicle, so collision coverage is what would pay for repairs if your teen is hit by an uninsured driver.
Ways to Keep Costs Down
Adding a teen to your policy will raise your premium, but there are real ways to offset it. A good student discount, a defensive driving course, and telematics programs that reward safe driving habits can all add up to meaningful savings. Choosing the right vehicle for your teen matters too. Older, modest cars with good safety ratings are generally much cheaper to insure.
Let Kind Insurance Do the Shopping for You
At Kind Insurance, we’re an independent insurance agency. That means we work with multiple insurance companies to find the best coverage at the best price for your family. As licensed insurance professionals based in Harrisburg, PA, we know the ins and outs of Pennsylvania’s requirements and can help you make sure your teen driver is properly covered from day one.
Adding a teen driver doesn’t have to mean just accepting whatever rate your current carrier throws at you. Let us shop around for you.
Get a quote for auto insurance online here.