can a person get car insurance without a license

[OLondyn]

Yes, you can get car insurance without a driver's license, but it's a specialized situation with significant limitations. Insurers primarily assess risk based on the driver, so being unlicensed complicates the process. The policy must typically list a licensed primary driver, and the unlicensed person must have an insurable interest in the vehicle—meaning they own it and would suffer a financial loss if it were damaged. Common scenarios include purchasing insurance for a car you own but will be driven by a family member, or securing coverage before a suspended license is reinstated.

The ability to do this and the specific rules vary significantly by state. Some states are more permissive, while others may have stricter regulations. You'll need to shop around, as not all major insurance companies offer these policies. You'll likely be required to provide the driver's license information of the person who will be the main operator of the vehicle.

It's crucial to understand that this type of policy provides property damage coverage for the car itself (comprehensive and collision) but does not grant you, the unlicensed individual, the legal right to drive. If you were to drive and get caught, it would be a serious legal offense, and any claim would almost certainly be denied.

State	Typical Policy Availability for Unlicensed Owners	Common Requirement (e.g., Named Driver)	Notes
California	Limited, but possible	Must list all licensed household drivers	High-risk classification likely
Florida	More accessible	Requires a licensed primary driver	Often used by elderly or international owners
Texas	Varies by insurer	Proof of insurable interest (title) is key	Non-owner policies are a different product
New York	Very restrictive	Strict underwriting, often requires exclusion forms	Designed for specific edge cases
Illinois	Possible with major carriers	Licensed driver must be listed on policy	Used for vehicles driven by caregivers

The cost is generally higher due to the perceived increased risk. Be transparent with insurers; misrepresenting information is fraud and will void your policy.

[VonMalia]

I went through this when I bought a car for my son before he got his license. I had to be the one listed as the main driver on the policy, even though the car was technically his. The insurance company needed my license info to base the rate on. It was a bit more expensive than a standard policy, but it was necessary to get the car registered and plated. You just have to be honest with them about who will actually be driving.

[DelAmelia]

From an insurance standpoint, the core principle is insurable interest. A license identifies a driver, but ownership of the vehicle creates the financial stake that insurers underwrite. Therefore, an unlicensed owner can insure a car they legally own. The critical condition is naming a licensed primary operator. The policy protects the asset, not the unlicensed individual's driving privileges. Misrepresenting the primary driver constitutes material misrepresentation and is grounds for policy cancellation and claim denial.

[KathrynMarie]

My grandfather doesn't drive anymore, but he still owns his classic car. He keeps insurance on it because it's valuable. The company he uses allows it because he's the owner, and the policy is just for fire, theft, and vandalism while it's in the garage. He doesn't need a license for that kind of coverage. It's all about protecting the property itself, not covering a driver. It's a different type of policy than what most people think of for daily driving.