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See the top picks for nonlicensed drivers.
Founded in 1969 and now helping more than 200,000 customers across 15 states, Acceptance Insurance leads the pack of providers with options for nonstandard drivers.
If you’re a driver with a learner’s permit, State Farm offers generous discounts and has many local agents across the country. Not to mention, State Farm has 100 years of experience assisting customers in attaining policies that meet their needs. Here is a breakdown to compare the top-four auto insurance providers for drivers without a license:
Drivers without licenses are considered nonstandard drivers. While there are no laws that state you must have a driver’s license to insure a vehicle, finding a provider that will accept unlicensed individuals can be tricky. Thankfully, a handful of insurers are willing to provide you coverage — licensed or not. We’ve gathered all the information on the best companies that provide no-license insurance coverage.
Insurer | #1. Acceptance | #2. State Farm | #3. Direct Auto | #4. USAA |
---|---|---|---|---|
What it’s best for | Overall | New drivers | SR-22 drivers | Military |
Number of customers | 200,000 | 87,000,000 | Not listed | 13,000,000 |
Year founded | 1969 | 1922 | 1991 | 1922 |
Can file an SR-22? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Offers car storage insurance? | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Offers non-owner coverage? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes’ |
Review | None | State Farm review | Direct Auto review | USAA review |
Best Overall: Acceptance Insurance
Best Auto Insurance for New Drivers: State Farm
Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With SR-22s: Direct Auto
Best Auto Insurance for Military Personnel: USAA
Acceptance Insurance prides itself on providing coverage for all types of drivers. The company started as a single desk in Texas in 1969 and now serves 200,000 customers in 15 states. It has over 700 agents ready to help you throughout more than 300 neighborhoods.
Acceptance is an excellent option for nonlicensed individuals because of its focus on nonstandard drivers and its long list of other policy types with which you can bundle. It also has a roadside assistance program that can refund your traffic tickets.
There are many reasons someone might be a nonstandard driver — including teens, seniors, drivers who have had their license suspended or revoked, people with excessive driving violations or DUI convictions.
Not every insurance company accepts nonstandard drivers, but Acceptance focuses on them. It doesn’t turn away motorists often and advertises specific discounts for bad-credit drivers, high-risk drivers, non-owners, seniors, SR-22 drivers, and teen drivers. The company even offers discounts for favorable behaviors.
Need more than just auto insurance? You may be looking to bundle your insurance options. In that case, Acceptance offers a handful of other protections.
Features | Saver | Plus | Elite |
---|---|---|---|
Safety apparel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Towing | No | Yes | Yes |
Roadside assistance | No | Yes | Yes |
First-accident forgiveness | No | Yes | Yes |
Optional equipment and customizations | No | Yes | Yes |
Diminishing deductibles | No | No | Yes |
Pricing | Least expensive | Midrange | Most expensive |
Pet insurance plans | Accident only | Accident and illness | Embedded wellness (wellness/preventative care) | Endorsements/add-ons |
---|---|---|---|---|
Medical treatment after a pet accident (broken bones) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Major illnesses, infectious diseases, cancer, digestive issues, allergies | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Vaccinations, heartworm tests, rabies, flea/tick prevention, teeth cleaning | No | No | Yes | No |
Cancer coverage, acupuncture, physical therapy | No | No | No | Yes |
Dental disease; preexisting conditions; behavioral issues; routine checkups/preventative care; infection diseases like canine hepatitis, feline immunodeficiency virus; infections from ticks, worms, and fleas; pregnancy; hip dysplasia; grooming | No | No | No | No |
This bundling can be useful, as nonstandard drivers typically have higher premiums.
Stuck on the side of the road? No problem. Acceptance Insurance offers roadside assistance, which you can add to your auto insurance policy anytime. Here are the options available through Acceptance:
Roadside assistance options | Towbusters | Towbusters Plus |
---|---|---|
Cost per month | $13 | $15 |
Mechanical first aid | Yes | Yes |
Towing up to 25 miles from where you’re stuck | Yes | Yes |
Locked-out-of-car assistance | Yes | Yes |
Fluid delivery (does not cover the cost of fuel) | Yes | Yes |
Tire service | Yes | Yes |
Ticket repayment | No | $100 up to 2 times a year
$200 in legal fees $250 toward traffic school |
Founded in 1922, State Farm has grown to become the largest auto insurer in the United States by providing fair insurance coverage at affordable prices. Not only does it have a good reputation, but the company has local agents ready to help you in all 50 states.
Suppose you’re a driver with a permit working up to becoming a fully licensed driver. State Farm is easy to contact, offers a wide range of coverages, and provides significant discounts for those learning to drive — including young drivers.
Safe driving habits will save you money now and in the future when these practices result in a clean record. State Farm offers two apps to encourage and reward safe driving habits.
State Farms’ coverage options go beyond the basics of liability, medical, uninsured motorist, collision insurance, and comprehensive coverage. In fact, the provider offers a wide variety of add-ons.
Walking through the insurance process on your own can be challenging when you’re a new driver. State Farm has 19,000 local agents across the country that you can meet with in person, online, or over the phone to discuss your options.
Direct Auto specializes in providing nonstandard auto insurance to drivers who may be considered high risk or need SR-22 certifications. Suppose you’ve been convicted of a serious driving violation and your license has been suspended. In that case, Direct Auto will help you file for an SR-22 certification and will provide you with the insurance coverage you need.
No matter what your driving history looks like, Direct Auto wants to ensure you have access to the coverages and services you need. The company offers flexibility with pay schedules and prices, convenient contact options, various inclusive discounts, and a long list of bundling options.
Being a nonstandard driver can take a toll on your wallet, but taking advantage of Direct Auto’s many discounts can save you up to 25 percent on your car insurance premiums.
When working with Direct Auto, you can customize both when and how you pay. Not only can you choose your payment date, but you can also choose how often you pay, your monthly amount, and how you want to pay, using these options:
Direct Auto sells bundled policies to make your premiums cheaper. You can bundle your auto insurance with several other insurance types.
When 25 U.S. Army officers met up and decided to insure each other’s vehicles in 1922, USAA was born. Today, USAA insures 13 million military customers throughout the U.S. It’s a great choice for unlicensed military members who need coverage while storing or shipping their cars. Additionally, it’s a great provider for retired military members who own cars but have someone else drive them.
USAA knows the ins and outs of insurance for military members. It understands that you may have to move often or go overseas for a permanent change of station (PCS), so it will protect your car while you’re away, offering liability coverage, personal injury protection, and vehicle storage.
Great auto insurance options are only a small part of the benefits USAA offers. It also provides these policy options:
Additionally, USAA offers its members several perks.
Check if you qualify to be a USAA member by taking the qualification quiz on the company’s website.4
We chose the best auto insurance providers using company information, proprietary data, and institutional knowledge. We started by analyzing data from each company and the auto insurance it offers, including coverage options and discounts. Next, we analyzed third parties’ customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings from AM Best, the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Powder, Moody’s, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and S&P Global Ratings.
We have collected millions of data points over two decades of connecting people with auto insurance providers. We analyze the data and use it to identify which demographics of customers have the greatest success with which companies.
We have developed an institutional knowledge of insurers’ strengths and weaknesses. We consult with Paul Ford, president of insurance for Centerfield — the parent company of AutoInsurance.com. Paul has spent the last 30 years working in the insurance business with companies such as these:
You don’t need a U.S. driver’s license to get car insurance for your vehicle, but it can be very challenging to obtain insurance without one. A U.S. driver’s license helps providers check your driving history, a crucial factor in determining the cost of your premiums. If you have a foreign license and want auto insurance in the U.S., your rates will be higher because you lack past insurance coverage and U.S. driving history.
The answer to this question depends on whether anyone is driving your car. If someone is driving your car in every state except New Hampshire and Virginia, you’ll need to get car insurance before they set off on the road. However, unless you have an SR-22, you don’t need insurance if no one is driving your car. That said, we recommend buying a policy anyway to protect yourself financially against vehicle theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and collisions to your parked car.
If you own a car and do not have a license, you don’t necessarily need car insurance. If no one drives the car, you do not need car insurance. However, if someone decides to drive the vehicle, the car needs insurance coverage that meets your state’s standards.
Non-Standard Auto Insurance. Acceptance Insurance. (2022).
https://www.acceptanceinsurance.com/our-products/auto-insurance/non-standard-auto-insurance/
Save more with our auto insurance discounts. State Farm. (2022).
https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/auto/discounts
Car Insurance Discounts. Direct Auto Insurance. (2022).
https://www.directauto.com/why-direct/get-discounts
Join USAA. USAA. (2022).
https://www.usaa.com/join/get-started/?product=join-now&wa_ref=join_now_from_why_join