New drivers always need car insurance, even while they're learning to drive. The minimum insurance requirements in your state apply to everyone who operates a vehicle, even if they only have one permit. If your teen driver has their learner's permit and plans to start driving, make sure they have car insurance, whether you add it to your policy or buy your own. A police report provides an official and detailed description of what happened in the accident.
Police reports are required when it comes to injuries, significant damage, or extenuating circumstances. However, you can act as your own detail-oriented advocate in case of minor incidents. If you have rental vehicle reimbursement coverage under your own policy, you will have coverage for a rental car regardless of fault, within the limits of your policy. Most licensed drivers should be eligible for coverage under their parents' existing auto insurance policy.
This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provision, limitation, or exclusion that is expressly stated in any insurance policy. The process for filing a car insurance claim with your insurance company is similar, whether you have a police report or not. In addition, since new drivers are often more likely to suffer mishaps than experienced drivers, you may want to add comprehensive car insurance coverage and car collision coverage to the vehicle that your authorized driver is using. The main reason car insurance is mandatory in almost every state is because of your personal liability (liability) if you cause an accident.
If you are not insured by Progressive or are a Progressive customer without logging in to your account, you can report or view an existing claim here. However, drivers who choose not to purchase auto insurance must show that they have sufficient funds to meet the state's financial responsibility requirements (PDF) in the event that they cause an accident. If you just obtained your learner's permit but have already purchased your own vehicle, you can buy your own car insurance policy just like any licensed driver. Understanding how the claims process works, including reporting an accident, working with an insurance adjuster and repairing your car, if necessary, can make filing a claim easier and less stressful.
Don't expect the at-fault driver to contact your insurance company; it's up to you to report the accident to the other driver's insurance company. The amount of your policy's auto insurance deductible indicates how much you pay out of pocket for a covered claim, while your coverage limits represent the maximum dollar limit that your insurer could pay in a given category. Car insurance is a rare product that you buy in the hope of never using it, but if you're involved in an accident or your vehicle is damaged, you may need to file a claim. Request a car insurance quote online or call 1-866-749-7436 and we'll help you customize coverage for your family's new driver.
In certain situations, your insurance company has the legal right to “subrogate,” meaning that it can ask the at-fault third party for reimbursement for an insurance loss.
