Coverage For California Teen Student Driver on Auto Insurance
Reader’s Question:
My name is Dex. I am 16 years old and currently residing in Los Angeles, California. I recently got my student permit and already I crashed onto a tree. Am I covered by parents’ car insurance or am I dead meat?
Dexter
Los Angeles, CA
Dude, here’s the thing. First things first. The California law states that a person at least 18 years old may obtain a student driver’s permit, therefore allowing you to drive a motor vehicle but not without restrictions. Next, I’m guessing that you had a friend with you when you used your parents’ car and you came crashing on a tree and that it happened in the wee hours of the morning. And that friend of yours was a minor like you. Am I correct? All right, so here goes. For those minors driving in Los Angeles California, or the whole of California for that matter, you are restricted to drive alone and thus must be accompanied by an adult 25 years old that has a license when you are driving and you have a passenger that is under 21 years old and when you are driving between 12 midnight and 5 AM. Now, because you are a minor, your parents now must take full responsibility for the property damages, if any, that you did. If all my guesses were right, then you have got so much going against you when it’s time to face your parents. But since you’re a minor, you had been covered by your parents, as dictated by the law, when you first applied for a license.
So, you’re good, dude. On the insurance side, that is. Overall, I think you’re dead meat.
