Five Tips to Getting Car Insurance for Provisional Drivers

• Posted on Autos.com Editor
• in Auto Insurance
• on October 7, 2013

Most of the car and truck owners currently on the American roadway know that they need to carry auto insurance, but what about the requirements for getting car insurance for provisional drivers? When a vehicle is only occasionally being driven by someone new, the issue of auto insurance gets a little complicated. Here are some tips for getting insurance for a temporary driver, when it’s a case of someone borrowing a car for a short period of time.

1. Ask Your Insurer – In many cases, getting coverage for a provisional driver is as easy as adding this individual to your policy. Call up the insurer and give them the relevant details, and your problem may already be solved. Your company can tell you exactly what they provide for third party driver coverage with this simple transaction.
2. Look into Non-owner’s Insurance – In some cases, if the provisional driver will be making repeat trips in a vehicle, it will be worth seeking out a non-owner’s policy for getting more solid coverage. In some kinds of auto insurance situations, just putting the driver on the policy is not enough, and for long term car sharing, a non-owner’s policy can provide a clearer coverage in the case of an accident.
3. Insurance for International Drivers – When someone comes to the states from beyond its borders and wants to drive on its roads, there can be complications. Look into how to get coverage for an individual with no U.S. driving record, and ask your insurer if you can use the same strategies as those mentioned above to help get an international driver on the road.
4. Seek out Business Use Options – If you are looking to cover someone like a delivery driver, see how it relates to any small business that may be involved. Auto insurance companies often craft different types of auto policies for a business. This can be an effective way to get an occasional or temporary driver covered if there is a profit-seeking operation involved. Small business owners know that carefully separating business and personal expenses is key, so make sure your use of a business policy is not going to negatively impact book-keeping.
5. Find out about the New Driver’s Background – When you are looking to get an additional driver covered for your vehicle, get all of their driving record information up front. Things like a DUI/DWI, past wrecks or the need to carry SR22 insurance can make getting them onto your policy more difficult. Be aware that companies tend to charge more for younger drivers who lack a driving history. It’s also important to note that a child living in the same household can be added to a policy much more easily than young drivers who have moved away, even temporarily.

Take advantage of the above for figuring out how to get additional coverage for someone who is looking to borrow a vehicle for just a few trips.