Thoughts on Automobiles and Auto Insurance for USNA Midshipmen

Let’s face it, your son/daughter will not be driving very often during their first two years at USNA. They might come home, drive for a couple days for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then for a few weeks during their summer block leave. An automobile and the cost of insurance aren’t in the financial plan for most Midshipmen… at least during their first two years.

If your son/daughter owns a car and it is registered in their name, they might want to consider selling it. If you own a car that they have driven during high school, take them off your policy if you don’t plan to sell the car.

You will want to talk to your insurance agent.

· Some insurance agents/companies think USNA is just a college and will offer you a policy for college students living on campus. Wrong! Midshipmen are employed by the Navy and are full time military and going through training/school. They are no longer their parent’s dependents. They use their parent’s home address only as a convenience for voting and income tax. (Many deployed military do the same.)

· Some agents will even tell you that your son/daughter will have to turn in their driver’s license because they have no insurance. Wrong! The only things required for a valid PA drivers license are:

1. A Check

2. Pass a drivers test or a valid out of state drivers license

3. Another Federal or State Photo ID

4. Social Security Card

5. Two forms of proof of Residency

Check your policy for Guest Drivers. Unless there is an age requirement (no drivers under 25), your son/daughter can drive your car as a guest driver for the few days they visit you over the year. This is similar to the policy if you loan a friend or relative (father/uncle/cousin/etc.). Your insurance, not the driver’s insurance will insure the car as they drive it.

When and if your son/daughter buys/registers a car they should get insurance on their own. Hey, remember, they are not your dependents anymore!! Some Mids will purchase a car as soon as they can for their 2nd Class year, some will wait for Firstie year, some won’t buy one until after Commissioning. At that time, they can get competitive insurance quotes from USAA www.usaa.com and other commercial insurance companies.

We hope this information provides what is needed to save you some money on auto insurance by purchasing only what is needed.

These thoughts are not from an insurance expert. They came from a Midshipman Parent who spent time to understand the issues.

May 2006