Car Insurance for Learner Drivers

An individual who is learning to drive a car must be cautious while driving. As they are the ones responsible for the safety of themselves and other road users. They need to follow the driving rules while they are driving. As they are just learning to drive, they tend to make many simple mistakes in handling the road. Generally, people who have been driving for ages do not over-examine everything on the roads, thus driving seems to be easy for them.

 

Every person driving on the road needs to understand various instructions of “Learner Driver”. They must prepare and appear for the exam to learn the basic facts before driving on the road. After receiving their temporary driver’s license, they are permitted to drive with their family member who has a driving license or an authorised driving instructor.

 

A learner driving license is issued by the authorities to temporarily permit people to learn to drive.  A person holding such a license is called a learner drive. Once when the person is given the learner’s license, he must put the alphabet “L” in red colour on the car, which is visible to other drivers.

 

What is Learner Driver Insurance?

A learner driver doesn’t have any special insurance policy. It is an insurance policy which covers the car of a learner driver. A learner driver is at a greater risk of car damage or injury. Thus, buying comprehensive car insurance becomes important.

 

Comprehensive insurance protects your car from damage caused by natural calamities, accidents, theft, etc., and covers third-party liabilities. New drivers should also consider adding suitable riders to their car insurance policy, such as key replacement or roadside assistance coverage to comprehensive learner insurance.

 

Importance of Car Insurance for Learner Drivers

A learner driver having an instructor or a family member next to them may give them confidence to drive but that doesn’t imply that an accident will never occur. There are more chances of accidents or damage to the car of learner drivers as they are new to driving and lack confidence on the road. To stay safe and cover the losses incurred during uncertain incidents, people make sure to buy car insurance.

 

People who are learning to drive must know the importance of having car insurance. As they are new to driving and handling their vehicle on the road, they tend to make many mistakes which might cause risks to other road users. Almost every driving class instructor would educate the learner on the basic rules, traffic regulations and car insurance coverage options. They do discuss the insurance coverages with inclusions and make them understand which would be essential to buy.

 

Types of Car Insurance for Learner Drivers

Car Insurance is compulsory in India as per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. Having car insurance not only provides several benefits but also makes you legally complaint, especially for beginner drivers. It is suggested that you opt for a Comprehensive car insurance policy for your car as it provides extensive coverage. This also includes third-party and own damage coverage.

 

Comprehensive car insurance for learner driver is important as it provides financial safety if your vehicle is damaged or if there is a damage to the third-party property or injury/death of a third party. It doesn’t matter if you are a learner driver or a well experienced driver, having car insurance is a must. It is better to be safe than sorry.

 

Tips for Finding Affordable Car Insurance for Beginner Drivers

Learner drivers need to know about car insurance and make appropriate decisions while purchasing a policy. The following are the tips to follow while buying car insurance for a learner driver.
 

 1. Understand the available Car insurance policies

The learner driver must know the available insurance policies and their coverage options. There are three types of car insurance policies which should be looked into when buying an insurance policy. They are Comprehensive insurance, own damage and third-party liability cover.

 

2. Insured Declared Value (IDV)

IDV is the amount which reflects the current market value of your car. This value is fixed by the insurance provider as it is the current estimate of the car after deducting the depreciation value. The IDV of your car determines the premium of Car insurance. The higher the IDV, the higher the premium.

 

3. Avoid making minor claims

Car insurance providers offer a no-claim bonus (NCB) for not making claims during the policy tenure. When learning to drive, you may damage your car quite often. But remember that making claims for minor damages impacts the car insurance premium on renewal. So, avoid making small claims to avail yourself of the NCB.

 

4. Make and model of the car

The make and model of your car is one of the major factors determining your car insurance premium. Sports variants, with higher Cubic capacity and running on gas or CNG, are more expensive than standard cars.

 

5. Timely renewal

Renewing your car insurance policy before the due date would provide seamless protection to the car. You may lose your NCB if you do not renew your car insurance policy within 90 days of expiry.

 

6. Claims process

Choosing the right insurance company having a good claims settlement ratio is a must. Also, check if the insurance provider has a wide network of cashless garages for cashless claim settlement.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing Car Insurance for Learner Drivers

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when buying car insurance are as follows:

 

1. As third-party insurance is legally mandatory, people tend to buy only third-party insurance. It is one of the common mistakes which is made by the learner driver. They need to understand that if there is a mishap on the road, the insurance provider would only cover the expenses incurred by the third party and the damage to their car would not be covered. In case of a comprehensive insurance policy, both the third party as well as you will be compensated for the damage.

 

2. When most people look for car insurance policy, they would search for policies with the lowest insurance premium. A lower premium gives lower cover. This means when you go for a claim due to an unforeseen incident, you will receive low cover.

 

3. Honestly disclosing the details of the leaner driver is a must while buying car insurance. Hiding details such as the age of the driver, driver history, safety accessories installed in car may fetch you a lower premium. However, this mistake will go against you at the time of claim.

 

4. Carefully reading the policy documents is most important while buying a car insurance policy. Understand the terms and conditions thoroughly. This would ensure that you don’t face any trouble at the time of claim settlement. Deductibles and IDV are some of the important information that you must be aware of.

 

5. Renewing your policy on time is important. Sometimes, renewing your policy after it has lapsed is a difficult job. The car insurance provider will send their staff to inspect the vehicle for any pre-existing damage before they renew the policy. Moreover, if the policy lapses, you may end up losing benefits like no-claim bonuses.

 

Steps to Take After an Accident for Learner Drivers

Accidents are unexpected, which can happen in any situation. You should know how to handle the situation and act accordingly. Check out the steps to follow an accident for learner driver.

 

Step 1: Stay calm and check for injuries to you and the parties involved in the event of an accident.

 

Step 2: Document the accident by taking photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage and other road conditions.

 

Step 3: File a police complaint in case of a major accident and obtain a copy of the report.

 

Step 4: Notify your Insurance provider and share the details of the accident to get a hassle-free claim process.

 

Conclusion

Learner insurance is a fundamental step towards becoming a responsible and skilled driver. It provides protection and peace of mind during the learning process. It also ensures that you're covered in case of unexpected accidents. Having the right insurance is essential for every learner driver.

 

With Shriram Car Insurance, you will find the perfect coverage for your learning journey. Riders will enhance your coverage at an extra cost. So, no matter if you are a learner or an experienced driver, buy adequate car insurance coverage for your car. Your safety and security on the road are the most important priority.

 

FAQs

1. Does a learner driver need Car Insurance?

Yes, it is legally mandatory for learner drivers to have car insurance when driving on the road. 

 

2. How long should I keep learner driver insurance?

You should maintain learner driver insurance until you pass your driving test and obtain a proper driving licence. It is a legal requirement and provides essential protection during the learning phase.

 

3. Can I practise driving with a learner’s licence and no insurance?

No, it is illegal to drive without Third-Party Insurance. Learner driver insurance is necessary for your safety and compliance with the law.