Can you get car insurance without a license?

Written by: Sarah Brodsky
• Updated •6 min read
This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
A young woman riding an underground train uses her smartphone to read about getting car insurance without a license.Image: A young woman riding an underground train uses her smartphone to read about getting car insurance without a license.

In a Nutshell

It may be possible to get car insurance without a license, and there are many good reasons you might need it. Major insurers don’t typically advertise this option, so it often makes sense to get help from an insurance agent or broker.
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Getting car insurance when you don’t have a driver’s license may take some extra legwork, but it can be done.

There are several reasons you might need insurance if you don’t have a license. You might be out of a license in the short term because of a medical condition. You might not be behind the wheel anymore, but you might have family driving your car for you. Or maybe your license was suspended, and you’re seeking to get it reinstated.

If someone else is driving your car for you, most states require that you have insurance coverage. Your lender might also require insurance if you’ve financed your vehicle. Even if no one is telling you to get insured, it’s usually best to have insurance just in case anything happens to your car.

How to get car insurance without a license

To find insurance companies that will offer you a policy without a license, try talking to an insurance agent or broker who can help you identify specific insurers that might work.

Working through an agent or broker might be easier than contacting companies and asking them directly. Most insurers’ online applications ask for a driver’s license number, so you’d likely have to call and ask if they’ll work with you.

In any case, try to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies. You’ll want to choose the most affordable option that provides the level of coverage you need, but keep in mind that you may be charged a higher auto insurance premium than you’d pay as a licensed driver. Depending on your circumstances, the following tips might be worth considering.

List yourself as an excluded driver

If a family member or someone else is driving your vehicle, you might be able to buy insurance listing them as the rated driver — meaning the one who operates the vehicle — and yourself as an excluded driver.

When you’re an excluded driver, the insurance company doesn’t have to pay if you drive the vehicle and get in an accident. Of course, when you don’t have a license, you cannot legally drive anyway.

Excluding yourself might be the only way to get your car insurance if an insurer views you as too much of a risk and isn’t willing to cover you. Or, an exclusion might bring down the cost of your insurance, as long as the insurance company views the rated driver as a safer bet.

But getting an exclusion may not be possible in every state. And if you want to reinstate your license and start driving again, you’ll have to get the exclusion removed.

Ask about an SR-22 certificate if required by law

If your license was suspended or revoked, your state might require you to get an SR-22 certificate from your insurer. This document shows that you have at least the minimum amount of insurance coverage that your state requires.

Before you can get your driver’s license back, you generally need to submit an SR-22 to your state to prove that you’re complying with the law. Some companies may not be willing to insure you if you need an SR-22, so you should check that this form is available.

Get parked car coverage

“Parked car coverage” typically refers to a comprehensive insurance policy that doesn’t include liability or collision coverage. If no one is driving your vehicle, you might need protection against events like theft or vandalism, which comprehensive coverage provides.

You might not need full coverage auto insurance, which provides more extensive protection in case of car crashes. Buying parked car insurance could save you money because you wouldn’t be footing the bill for additional types of coverage that don’t apply to your situation.

Why you might need car insurance without a license

Here are some reasons a person could be without a driver’s license but still needing insurance.

  • A medical condition is preventing you from driving. You might be unable to renew your license while you get better. Or you might need a medical procedure — like eye surgery —before you can meet the legal requirements for a license. Even if your car isn’t in use while you recover, you may still need insurance in case your vehicle is damaged or stolen, or to meet a lender’s requirement that you maintain coverage while repaying your car loan.
  • You no longer drive, but your family members use your car. Maybe your family drives you to errands or appointments, or you let them take your car when they need transportation. You need insurance for your vehicle in case anything happens when they’re driving it.
  • You collect cars. You might buy a vehicle because it’s a vintage treasure or because of the nostalgia factor. In that case, you’ll want to protect your investment against damage or theft with classic car insurance.
  • You have a DUI conviction. If your license has been suspended for a DUI, you’ll sometimes need to prove you have car insurance to get your license back.
  • You have a learner’s permit. If you’re learning to drive and aren’t covered by a family member’s or partner’s policy, you’ll need car insurance to go out on the road and practice.

Which companies offer car insurance without a driver’s license?

Major insurers generally don’t advertise this option. Here are a few we found, though there may be others. 

The Hartford

The Hartford says that it may sell car insurance to customers who don’t have driver’s licenses. The company says that rates depend on factors such as your driving history, how much time your car is in use, whether you’ve had continuous coverage, your vehicle and your location. You’ll need to be a member of the AARP to qualify.

OnGuard

OnGuard insurance advertises its access to multiple companies to provide multiple quotes, even those without a license. The company offers nonstandard (high risk) insurance options to those who have never been licensed, those with revoked or suspended licenses and those with a foreign license.

Access

Access auto insurance offers insurance policies to people with suspended licenses, temporary licenses, foreign licenses and no license at all. Note that getting auto insurance without a license through Access doesn’t prevent you from being ticketed for driving without a valid license.

FAQs about car insurance without a driver’s license

Can I register a car without a driver’s license?

States generally don’t require a driver’s license to register a car. But you’ll need to provide another accepted form of identification, such as a state-issued photo ID.

Is it more expensive to insure a car without a license?

Insurers may view someone who doesn’t have a license as risky to insure, and they might charge a higher rate as a result. Even if you get your license back at some point, you may face high insurance costs if you were without a license because of suspension. And if you’ve never had a license, your blank driving record may prompt insurers to charge you a higher rate than they’d offer someone with a safe driving history.

Which insurance company does not ask for a driver’s license?

Major insurers generally ask for a driver’s license as a standard part of their application process, and you’ll typically need a license to get an online quote. While you might find an insurer that will sell you a policy after you explain your situation, it’s likely they’ll first ask for your license number.

About the author: Sarah Brodsky is a freelance writer covering personal finance and economics. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from The University of Chicago. Sarah has written for companies such as Hcareers, Impactivate and K… Read more.