What Farmers Bureau covers when you hold a learners permit

Farmers Bureau will insure you as a learner driver, but the policy works differently than it does for a licensed driver. When you hold a learners permit, you are legally required to have a licensed adult in the car with you, and Farmers Bureau's coverage applies while you are driving under that supervision. The insurance does not change based on your permit status — you are covered under the same liability and collision limits as any other driver on the policy, as long as you are driving a vehicle the policy covers.

The key difference is not in what Farmers Bureau will pay for; it is in what you are allowed to do. A learners permit comes with restrictions on when you can drive, who must be in the car, and what roads you can use. Farmers Bureau will not cover you if you violate those restrictions — for example, if you are driving alone or driving at a time your permit forbids. The insurance company can deny a claim if the accident happened while you were breaking permit rules.

You do not need a separate policy or a different coverage tier to drive on a learners permit. If you are already listed as a driver on a Farmers Bureau policy, you are covered. If you are not yet listed, the policy holder needs to add you before you drive, even on a permit.

Key Takeaways

  • Farmers Bureau covers learner drivers under the same liability and collision limits as licensed drivers, as long as you follow your permit restrictions.
  • You must be added to the policy as a driver before you drive on a learners permit, even though you do not need a separate policy.
  • Coverage applies only when you are driving with the required licensed adult supervisor in the car and obeying all permit restrictions.
  • If you cause an accident while violating your permit rules — such as driving alone or at a forbidden time — Farmers Bureau may deny the claim.
  • Rates may increase when you are added as a learner driver, depending on your age and the state where you live.

Adding yourself to a Farmers Bureau policy as a learner driver

Before you drive on your learners permit, you or the policy holder must contact Farmers Bureau and request that you be added as a driver. This is not optional. Driving without being listed on the policy voids your coverage, and if you cause an accident, Farmers Bureau will not pay.

You can add a learner driver by calling your local Farmers Bureau agent, visiting a Farmers Bureau office in person, or using the Farmers Bureau website or mobile app if your state's branch offers online policy changes. Have your permit number and date of birth ready. The agent will ask about your driving history (which will be blank if this is your first permit) and may ask about the vehicle you will be driving most often.

Adding a learner driver usually takes effect when ready or within one business day. Some agents can process it over the phone; others may ask you to come in. There is no charge to add a driver to the policy, but your premium may increase once you are added, because you are now a listed driver on the vehicles covered.

How your age and driving record affect Farmers Bureau rates for learner drivers

Farmers Bureau charges higher rates for teenage drivers than for adults, and this increase applies as soon as you are added to the policy as a learner. The exact amount varies by state and by Farmers Bureau's local branch, but teenage drivers typically add 50 to 100 percent to the household premium. This is not a separate learner-driver fee — it is the base rate for insuring a young driver, whether you hold a permit or a license.

Since you have no driving record yet, Farmers Bureau will use your age and the state's accident and violation statistics for your age group to set your rate. Once you get your license and have a record, your rate may go up or down depending on whether you have had accidents or violations. A clean record for six months to a year can lower your rate slightly, but most insurers do not offer significant discounts until you reach 25.

If you are an adult taking out a learners permit for the first time, your rate increase will be smaller than a teenager's, because adult drivers are statistically safer. Farmers Bureau will still add you at a higher rate than a driver with a full license and a clean record, but the jump is usually 10 to 25 percent rather than 50 to 100 percent.

What happens to your Farmers Bureau coverage when you pass your driving test

When you pass your driving test and receive your full license, your permit is no longer valid and you no longer need to have a licensed adult in the car. Your Farmers Bureau coverage does not change — you remain on the same policy with the same vehicles and the same limits. You do not need to call and update anything unless your state requires you to report your new license number to the insurance company.

Some states do require insurers to be notified when a learner driver gets a license, because the insurance company's records must match your current driving status. Check with your Farmers Bureau agent or your state's insurance department to find out whether you need to report the change. If you do, it is usually a quick phone call or online update.

Your rate may change once you have held your license for a certain period without accidents or violations. Farmers Bureau and other insurers often offer small discounts after six months or a year of clean driving, or when you turn 25. Ask your agent what discounts you might be may be able to access for once you have your full license.

Restrictions that affect your Farmers Bureau coverage on a learners permit

Every state sets rules for what learner drivers can and cannot do. Common restrictions include driving only during daylight hours, not driving on highways, not driving with passengers other than the supervising adult, and not using a cell phone. Your specific restrictions are printed on your permit card.

Farmers Bureau's coverage applies only when you are following these restrictions. If you cause an accident while breaking a permit rule — for example, driving at night when your permit forbids it, or driving alone when your permit requires an adult — Farmers Bureau can investigate and may deny your claim. The insurance company will look at the police report, the time of day, and whether you had the required supervisor in the car.

This does not mean Farmers Bureau will automatically deny every claim from a learner driver. It means the company will check whether you were obeying your permit rules at the time of the accident. If you were, the claim will be handled like any other. If you were not, the company may refuse to pay.

Learner drivers and Farmers Bureau's accident forgiveness and safe driver discounts

Farmers Bureau offers accident forgiveness in some states, which means your first accident will not automatically raise your rate. However, accident forgiveness usually applies only to drivers who have held their license for a certain number of years — often three to five years. As a learner driver, you do not yet may have access to, so your first accident will likely increase your rate when you get your license.

Safe driver discounts reward drivers who go a set period — usually three to five years — without accidents or violations. Again, these discounts are for licensed drivers with a history to measure. As a learner, you cannot earn these discounts yet, but you can start building the clean record that will may have access to you for them once you get your license.

The best way to keep your rate low after you get your license is to avoid accidents and violations while you are a learner. Every accident or ticket you receive as a learner will stay on your record and will affect your rate once you are licensed. Farmers Bureau will see the full history when they underwrite your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to tell Farmers Bureau about my learners permit, or does it happen automatically?

You or the policy holder must contact Farmers Bureau and ask to be added as a driver. It does not happen automatically. You can call your agent, visit an office, or use the online portal. Have your permit number ready. If you drive without being added to the policy, you will not be covered.

Will my parents' Farmers Bureau rate go up when I get my learners permit?

Yes. Adding a teenage driver to a Farmers Bureau policy typically increases the premium by 50 to 100 percent, depending on your state and the branch. This increase takes effect as soon as you are added as a driver, even though you still hold a permit. The rate may change again once you get your license, depending on your driving record.

What if I get in an accident while driving alone on my learners permit?

Farmers Bureau may deny your claim if you were driving alone, because your permit requires a licensed adult in the car. The insurance company will investigate and check the police report. If you were breaking your permit rules, the company can refuse to pay for the damage, even if the accident was not your fault.

Does my Farmers Bureau coverage change when I pass my driving test?

No. Your coverage stays the same — same policy, same vehicles, same limits. You do not need a new policy or a different coverage tier. Some states require you to report your new license number to the insurance company, so check with your agent or your state's insurance department.

Can I get a discount on my Farmers Bureau rate as a learner driver?

Most discounts for new drivers do not explore until you have held your license for several years. However, some Farmers Bureau branches offer discounts for good grades in high school, defensive driving courses, or bundling home and auto insurance. Ask your agent what discounts might be available to you now.