Last Updated on January 30, 2025
Anyone who is learning to drive, in a private car with a friend, family member or guardian, will need learner driver insurance to ensure that they are covered or be added as an additional driver on an existing full insurance policy. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about learner driver insurance, including what it covers, why you need it, and some of the key benefits it provides when practising in a private car with a friend, family member or guardian.
What Is Learner Driver Insurance?
Learner Driver Insurance, also known, as ‘learners insurance’ or ‘provisional insurance’, is an insurance policy that is designed to cover people learning to drive with a provisional licence. Learner insurance allows learners to practice driving in a car that belongs to them or someone else, such as a friend, family member or guardian, without affecting the vehicle owner’s existing insurance policy. This type of insurance is specifically tailored to meet the needs of provisional licence holders and ensures that they’re legally covered when practising outside of lessons with an instructor.
Why Do I Need Learner Insurance?
Driving without insurance is illegal in the UK, even for provisional drivers. But aside from meeting legal requirements, learner driver insurance offers a range of benefits that make it a vital part of your driving journey.
Reasons Why a Learner Needs Insurance
- It’s a Legal Requirement
Whether you’re practising in your own, or the car of a family member, friend or a guardian, you must have valid insurance to legally practice on public roads. Failing to have proper insurance could result in hefty fines, points on your provisional licence, or even a driving ban before you’ve passed your test.
- Protects the Vehicle Owner
Learner insurance is a standalone policy that ensures the car owner’s existing insurance won’t be affected if you’re involved in an accident. This means no impact on their no-claims discount or premiums.
- Affordable and Flexible
Learner driver insurance is typically cheaper and more flexible than adding a provisional driver to an existing car insurance policy. At Collingwood Insurance, You can choose short-term policies for as little as 28 days or longer policies, including annual policies which cover you for a full 12 months. There are different types of learner driver insurance policies depending on how much practice you need.
- Builds Your Confidence on the Road
Regular practice with family or friends is a great way to build confidence and improve your skills outside of lessons with an approved driving instructor (ADI). Knowing you’re properly insured allows you to focus on driving without added stress.
- Peace of Mind for Everyone
Unfortunately, accidents happen to even the most careful of drivers and learner drivers are no exception. With learner insurance in place, both the learner and the car owner can feel reassured that damages or liability should be covered.
What Does Learners Insurance Cover?
Learner Driver Insurance is designed to protect both the learner driver and the vehicle owner. Depending on the level of cover, here are the key areas typically covered by learner insurance policies:
1. Third-Party Liability
Provisional insurance can cover damage to other people’s vehicles or property and any injury claims made by third parties in the event of an accident.
2. Damage to the Vehicle You’re Driving
If you’re involved in an accident, the policy usually covers repair costs for the car the learner is driving (depending on the level of cover).
3. Fire and Theft Protection
Many learner insurance policies include cover for fire damage to the vehicle or theft of the car.
4. Comprehensive Cover
Comprehensive learner insurance offers the highest level of protection, covering the learner for both damage to the car the learner is driving and third-party claims.
5. Flexible Policy Options
Learner insurance policies are designed to fit around your needs. Whether you need short-term or long-term cover, there’s a policy that can suit your schedule and budget.
Conclusion
It is a legal requirement to be insured when learning to drive, either with learner driver insurance or as an additional driver on an existing insurance policy. Learner driver insurance is an affordable way to stay protected and provide both yourself and the vehicle owner (which you’re using to practice) with peace of mind.
Whether your practising driving with friends, family or a guardian, having learner insurance will ensure that you are insured to be on the road, whilst learning valuable driving skills outside of driving lessons. With flexible policies, comprehensive coverage options, and peace of mind for both the learner and the car owner, it’s an essential step on the learner’s journey to becoming a confident, licensed driver.
FAQs
Learner drivers practising in a private car must have valid learner insurance or be added as an additional driver onto an existing insurance policy to meet UK legal requirements.
Learner insurance is specifically designed for provisional licence holders and is often a temporary, standalone policy. Standard insurance is for fully licensed drivers.
No. Whether you’re practising with family or friends, you need learner driver insurance to legally drive on UK roads when not with a driving instructor.
Yes. If you’re driving a car owned by someone else, you’ll need your own learner insurance policy unless you’re specifically named on their insurance.
Yes. At Collingwood Insurance, we offer short-term learner driver insurance, with policies starting from 28 days. Once you haven taken a minimum of a 28 day policy, you can top this up for 7 days when needed.
