Your teen just passed the knowledge test and has a learner’s permit. Do you need to call your car insurance company? The short answer is yes, let them know. Whether you have to add your teen to the policy right now depends on your insurance company.
What the State of Ohio says
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The Ohio Department of Insurance says that while your teen drives with a temporary permit, your premium might not change at all. It also says to check with your agent or company about the right time to add your teen.
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s parent guide puts it plainly. Some insurers want a teen driver added as soon as they get a temporary permit. Others want the teen added once they reach the license stage.
So there isn’t one rule for every family. The rule that counts is the one in your policy.
Why you should call even if nothing changes
A permit driver is still a driver in your house. A quick call does three things for you:
- You find out if your company wants your teen listed now or later.
- You find out if your teen is covered while practicing in your car.
- You get a heads-up on what the premium may look like once your teen is licensed.
That last part matters. The Ohio Department of Insurance says that once your teen is licensed and added, your premium will go up, even if your teen doesn’t drive much. It’s better to know that number ahead of time than to find it on a bill.
Ohio permit rules in plain terms
Here’s what the Ohio BMV requires for drivers under 18:
- Your teen can get a temporary permit at 15 and a half.
- Under 16, a parent, guardian or licensed driving instructor has to ride in the front passenger seat.
- At 16 or older, any licensed driver 21 or older can ride along, with tighter rules from midnight to 6 a.m.
- Your teen has to hold the permit for at least six months before taking the driving test.
- Your teen needs a driver education class (24 hours of class or online work plus 8 hours of driving with an instructor).
- Your teen also needs 50 hours of practice driving, with at least 10 at night, logged on the BMV 5791 form.
All of that practice time is time your teen is behind the wheel of your car. That’s one more reason to make sure your company knows.
What to have ready when you call
Your agent or company will likely ask for:
- Your teen’s full name and date of birth
- The date your teen got the permit
- Which car your teen will practice in
- Whether your teen is in, or has finished, driver education
Ways to keep the cost down later
When your teen gets licensed, the Ohio Department of Insurance lists a few ways to help with the cost:
- Ask about a good student discount.
- Look at raising your deductible.
- Shop around, because prices for the same driver can vary from company to company.
Shopping around is where an independent agent can help. We work with multiple top-rated carriers, so we can compare options for your family in one place. We’ll try to save you money, and we’ll tell you straight if your current policy is already a good deal.
The bottom line
Tell your insurance company when your teen gets a permit. Ask whether they want your teen added now or at the license stage, and ask what the premium will look like after that. One phone call clears it up.
Have questions about adding a teen driver? Call or text us at 330-486-8404, or get a quote online.
Kaufman Insurance Group is an Ohio-based independent agency with agency licenses in Ohio and North Carolina. Contact us to shop multiple top carriers.
FAQs
Do I have to add my teen to my policy when they get a permit in Ohio?
It depends on your insurance company. Some want your teen added at the permit stage and others wait until your teen is licensed. Call your agent or company to find out.
Will my rates go up when my teen gets a permit?
Maybe not. The Ohio Department of Insurance says your premium might not change while your teen has a permit. It will likely go up once your teen is licensed.
Who can ride with my teen while they have a permit?
Under 16, a parent, guardian or licensed driving instructor. At 16 or older, any licensed driver 21 or older, with tighter rules from midnight to 6 a.m. Check the Ohio BMV for the full rules.
How many practice hours does my teen need in Ohio?
Drivers under 18 need 50 hours of practice, with at least 10 at night, on top of driver education.
Sources
- Ohio Department of Insurance, “Automobile Insurance Guide”
- Ohio Department of Insurance, “Auto Insurance for New Drivers”
- Ohio Traffic Safety Office, “Your Teen” parent guide
- Ohio BMV, “Temporary Permit and Probationary License”
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