Statistically, teenagers are very dangerous drivers. That said, my recommended car insurance coverage for Michigan teenagers who drive their own cars or trucks includes: (1) unlimited No-Fault PIP medical coverage with no deductible (2) liability coverage of at least $500,000 and (3) uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage.Īgain, I know these recommendations will make the expensive addition of adding your teenager more expensive than a bare minimum policy with lower PIP medical caps.Ĭonsider for a moment the reason why car insurance for teenagers is so much more expensive. I realize car insurance for teenagers will be expensive. Recommended car insurance coverage for teenagers (MCL 500.3101(1)) Because it is their vehicle, they will be the “named insured” on the policy. This includes No-Fault PIP, liability, property damage and property protection insurance. Michigan teenagers who are driving their own cars (i.e., vehicles for which they are the titled owner or will be considered a “constructive owner” of the vehicle based on how frequently they are driving that vehicle) are legally required to maintain valid No-Fault auto insurance coverage at all times. Car insurance for teenagers who are driving their own cars As with adult drivers, if a teenager is driving his or her own car or truck, then valid Michigan No-Fault auto insurance must be maintained at all times. This is true whether they are driving on a learner’s permit or they are fully-licensed. There is no special kind of car insurance for teenagers in Michigan. (MCL 500.3101(1)) Is there a special kind of car insurance for teenagers? Michigan law requires car insurance for teenagers – and for all drivers – who are driving their own motor vehicles on Michigan roadways. To learn more, check out Michigan Auto Law attorney Brandon Hewitt’s interview with WZZM TV 13: My takeaway for you is that each insurance policy is a contract, and each policy can have different and sometimes unique contractual requirements on how to add your teenagers to your car insurance in Michigan, so my most important advice is to always confirm – in writing – with your own insurance company that your teenager will be covered under your existing car insurance policy. There are also another 150-200 car insurance companies every year who are certified to do business in Michigan, and while I like to say that nearly 30 years of being a car accident lawyer and helping people who’ve been hurt in car wrecks that I’ve probably sued almost every insurance company in Michigan at one time or another, I certainly have not read 281 insurance policies out there as to each insurer’s specific requirements for car insurance for teenagers. Most car insurance companies do not require a teen driving on a learner’s permit to have car insurance coverage in his or her name (in fact, I have yet to see one), but that still doesn’t mean one or more of the 81 car insurance companies who do at least $1 million in business annually in this state does not have its own specific and unique contractual provisions on how you should be adding your teenager to your car insurance. Ideally, have your agent send an email confirming coverage and any specific coverage requirements for your teenage driver. Never rely solely on the oral representation of your insurance agent. Importantly, whatever you are told by your insurance agent should be confirmed in writing. I always tell parents to first check with their insurance agent as to what specific rules your particular insurance company may have when it comes to their teenagers reaching the legal driving age and beginning with their graduated drivers license, whether that is getting their learner’s permit or their driver’s license. However, there are many important considerations that come into play when making decisions about car insurance for teenagers in Michigan. There is no “special” car insurance for teenage drivers who have a learner’s permit or who just got their driver’s license. In Michigan, if teenagers drive their own vehicle, they will be the “named insured.” If they drive their parents’ car, they will likely be a “named driver” on their parents’ car insurance policy. Car insurance for teenagers in Michigan is required whether they are driving with a learner’s permit or a driver’s license.
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