Another glorious winter’s day but feels more like spring as the freeshias are starting to bud.  Day off so I’ve been for my morning walk at Dee Why beach and picked up a few groceries on the way home.

Must make a few calls to renew the car insurance and to find out…and you may well ask yourself this question…. is a learner driver covered under my car insurance policy?

With a teenager at an age when a Learners Drivers licence can be applied for I needed some answers.  It’s better to be prepared than get caught out and end up paying through the nose by not asking the ‘right’ questions.

My policy is for a Named driver option and on the back of the renewal notice it stated:

Excess payable if you claim… usual basic excess $500

Plus age and inexperience excess: if the driver is under 25 years old or is licenced for less than 2 years you contribute an additional amount to any claim.

Plus excess for Age & inexperienced
Listed driver excess       Male  $400   Female   $300
Unlisted driver excess  Male $1500   Female  $1000

We do not require Learner Drivers to be listed on your Certificate of Insurance unless you have Named Driver Option.  Any unlisted driver excess will not apply where the driver is a Learner Driver at the time of the event. (*Doesn’t this contradict the Named Driver Option?)

You have received a discounted premium but claims for accidental loss or damage will only be covered if the person driving or in charge of your vehicle was a listed driver.

What did I learn when I rang the insurance co.?  With a Named Driver Option…I would not be covered in the event of my learner driver having an accident if at fault.  And…. yes… more is in the ‘fine print’ of my policy.  (I’ll just have to get out the magnifying glass to find it as I wade through all the pages.)  Apparently the insurance co. has many enquiries regarding learner driver coverage. 

But….Anytime during the year I can notify to cover a learner driver and change my policy from a Named Driver Option… of course at an additional $200 for the policy reducable for time needed covering.

There is some good news…. we are entitled to a family discount in the event of my son purchasing a car.  As long as I hold a comprehensive policy with no accidents at time he would be entitled to a NCB (No Claim Bonus) of 60% for a policy in his name. 

So before you allow others behind the wheel of your car… you want to ring and ask your insurance co…. Is a learner driver covered under my car insurance policy and I’d also be clearing up the meaning for the age & inexperienced excesses for listed and unlisted driver. 

Don’t wait to find out the hard way when it hits you in the hip pocket.

Resources:
EveryDay Savings
Australian Fuel Consumption Guide
Parents & Supervisors of Learner Drivers
Womens - All Things Automotive
NRMA - Roadside Assistance & More

p.s. talking of car maintenance

About Cars: An Easy Guide to Car Maintenance and Repair

The Savvy Guide to Car Maintenance and Repair

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Tags: car insurance, learner driver, learner driver car insurance