Can you get car insurance when you're 17?
These days, you can get your driver’s license as early as age17. However, this doesn’t mean you’re allowed to drive a car on your own. You’ll receive a driver’s license with a designated driver designation. As a minor driver, you must always have a supervising driver with you. Are you 17 years old and want to get car insurance? You can’t do that in your own name yet. Read here to find out what options are available if you’re 17 and want to get car insurance.
Car insurance in the name of a guardian for a 17-year-old
As a 17-year-old, you’re not allowed to have a car registered in your own name. In the Netherlands, you must be at least 18 years old to register a license plate in your name. Without a license plate registered in your name, you also cannot purchase car insurance. That’s why it’s not possible to buy a car on your own and drive it if you’re only 17 years old. Driving an uninsured car is also not an option. Not only do you risk hefty fines from the RDW and the police, but if you cause damage while driving an uninsured car, you’ll have to cover all the costs yourself. Car repair costs can add up quickly, let alone if personal injury is involved. Driving an uninsured car will cost you a lot of money—money you probably don’t want to or can’t afford to lose at age17.
So, does that mean you can’t drive your own car at all? Yes, you can—fortunately, there’s a solution. If you’re 17, you can get car insurance through your guardian. This is often a parent, but it can also be a brother, sister, or an adult friend. The sponsor can register the car in their own name and then take out car insurance. The policy will then be in the sponsor’s name. As soon as you turn 18, you can transfer the car into your own name. The sponsor’s car insurance can be canceled by providing a copy of the certificate of release.
17 Years Old: Options for Getting Car Insurance
If you're 17 years old, there are two options for getting car insurance:
- Your guardian will take out the auto insurance and add you to the policy as a regular driver. Once you turn 18, you can transfer the car and the insurance into your own name.
- You'll take out the car insurance yourself, but you'll list your supervisor as a regular driver. As soon as you turn 18, you'll also have the car registered in your own name.
The first option is often the most popular choice. It’s a legal way to get car insurance and bridge the gap until your18th birthday.
What happens if I'm involved in an accident?
If you’re 17 years old, you must always have a supervising adult with you when you drive. However, that supervising adult is not liable if you cause damage while driving the car. Since the car is insured in the supervising adult’s name, any damage will affect his or her no-claims years and insurance premium. When comparing car insurance policies, it’s important to always carefully review an insurer’s policy terms and conditions. Not all insurers cover damage caused while a 17-year-old is behind the wheel. In such cases, no compensation will be paid for the damage. Therefore, choose an insurer that does cover this, so you’ll never face any unpleasant surprises.
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