Do I Have To Pay For Teen Driver Auto Insurance in Massachusetts?
Reader’s Question:
My auto insurance carrier is insisting that I list my newly licensed daughter as a primary driver on one of the car on our insurance policy. Can they do this? Is this mandatory in Massachusetts? I was under the impression that my daughter just needed to be added on the insurance policy as a driver and could drive any of the cars listed on our insurance policy. We live in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Charles
Lynn, MA
It can differ but many insurance carriers like to list the driver as the primary on the car that he or she drives the most, though they are covered to drive the other household cars also (as long as no exclusions are on the car insurance policy). It appears that your insurance carrier is such a company that requires your daughter to be listed as the primary driver on the vehicle that he primarily drives and that is not unusual.
While this is up to the insurance carrier to decide typically if they match up the different drivers with the different cars that they drive the most, to find out if this is mandatory in Lynn, Massachusetts you can contact the state’s insurance regulatory body. In Massachusetts this is the Division of Insurance and can be contacted by calling their consumer hotline at (617) 521-7794 or you may contact them online
What Is The Penalty For a Teenager To Drive Without a License?
Reader’s Question:
What will the penalty be for a minor that is driving with no license and no insurance and hits someone?
Gerald
Thank you for asking Gerald.
It varies from state to state when it comes to penalties for driving without an insurance or a valid license. The penalties may include fines, jail time, community service, vehicle impoundment, license and registration suspension to name a few. Some states may do a combination of these punishments.
The consequences for this conviction is considered a serious offense especially if you got involved in an accident and do not have insurance. You may have to comply with the financial responsibility laws. This will also includes having to pay for any injuries or damages from the accident out of your own pocket.
These types of violations as a minor may permit your state’s licensing department to delay your application for driver’s license from going through once you do apply. In addition to that, these convictions will likely go on your driving record. Even being a minor without a license does not stop your state from starting a driving history to record these infractions.
If you were convicted for these offenses, to make sure what your penalties are , contact the court listed on your ticket and/or your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
