Learn to Drive
Driving instructors provide a valuable service, they teach new drivers how to safely operate a vehicle, the rules of the road and other things that drivers need to know. The driver has to let the student drive in order to learn and so the importance of having driving instructor insurance cannot be overstated.
Car Insurance
Everyone needs car insurance, not just instructors. Car insurance adds protection for the vehicle, driver and passengers in the event of an accident. Driving instructors need extra insurance for the cars they use to train new drivers. Driving instructor insurance has to cover the driver of the car when it is not the instructor and is the student.
This insurance should be separate from insurance that is used for personal driving as the two are somewhat different even though they share many of the same characteristics. Typically, driving instructor insurance covers the car, the instructor and the student driver but does not cover any personal belongings of the instructor. For instance, if the instructor used the car to pick up some personal things before work and left them in the car where they were damaged during a wreck, the personal items would not be covered.
Many driving instructors have their own business and so they may use the same car for driving instructions which makes it necessary for them to have either two policies or a clause that covers personal use of the vehicle so that they don’t have to worry about their personal belongings and things of that nature.
Driving Schools
Often, driving instructors work for a driving school and are covered by the school’s insurance. The school will have enough insurance on the cars they use for the student drivers to insure that regardless of whether or not the driver is the student or the instructor the car is fully covered.
Importance of Driving Instructor Insurance
Driving on today’s busy roads is difficult for the most seasoned driver. There are people on cell phones, road construction, and other distractions that can cause an accident any given minute. these obstacles and distractions are even more difficult to overcome for the new driver who has not learned to react quickly and is most likely nervous.
Driving instructors need additional coverage to offset these risks. Many of the accidedents that involve student drivers are minor fender benders; however, should a student driver have a serious accident, the instructor needs to know they have enough coverage to protect their personal assets from becoming part of litigation.
Other Reasons for Driving Instructor Insurance
Accidents are reason enough to make sure there is enough auto insurance on the car used to train students; however, there are other incidents that can occur without an accident being the cause. Auto insurance also covers fire, theft, vandalism and more. This coverage is important, particularly if the car is left in the school parking lot where it could be vandalized.
Liability is the required insurance in most states; however, driving instructors should consider adding comprehensive insurance to their policy. As stated earlier, student drivers tend to have more fender benders than the average driver and a comprehensive policy will help get the car repaired when these occur. It is worth the added cost to keep the vehicle in good condition longer.
Pricing
If you have a driving school or are considering opening one, you should shop around and compare prices on instructor insurance. The prices could vary greatly from one company to another. The first place to look would be the your personal auto insurance company. They may be able to provide the additional policy and give you a discount for having multiple policies with them. You should also find out about any additional discounts you can get to help bring the cost down. Some things that could provide discounts include:
- Car safety features such as side air bags
- Instructor having a clean driving record
- Student’s being required to pass safety classes and more before being allowed to drive
There may be other areas that can offer discounts and help bring the policy rates into manageable means.
Occasional Use Insurance
If you are a driving instructor and use your personal car for your students you may be able to get driving instruction insurance as an add on to your current policy and save some money. You should discuss this with your auto insurance carrier before purchasing a completely new policy. This may not be the best option available, but, if the car is only used occasionally for instruction, it could be the most cost effective.
Driving instructors help to make roads safer by educating new drivers on how to manipulate the highways and byways correctly. However, this also puts them and their car at a higher risk of being in an accident and so they need the added protection driving instruction insurance brings to the car and driver.