I'm 14 years old and about to receive my driver's permit. I want to be covered on my mom and dad's car, but also my grandma's car. Should I purchase my own car insurance? Or am I covered under theirs?

Your parents should take the first step and call their insurance company to see if they must list you on their policy when you get your driver's permit, or whether they can wait until you get your license. Your parents’ insurance coverage should extend to you while you're learning to drive.

Generally, insurance companies don't charge premiums for teens while they have their driver's permit, but your parents should still contact the insurance company to learn its rules. Some states let insurance companies require teens with driving permits to be listed on parents' policies.

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Once you have your driver's license, it probably will be more economical to get insurance coverage through your parents' policy than to purchase your own car insurance if you don't own a car. Your parents must inform the insurance company when you get your license. At that point, their insurance premiums will rise to provide coverage for you as a licensed driver. Car insurance for people ages 16 to 24 is expensive because young drivers are more likely than older adults to get in accidents.

Assuming you don't live with your grandmother, her car insurance policy would cover you when you borrowed her car. Car insurance covers the policy owner plus any relative or anyone else using the car with the owner's permission. But if you lived with your grandmother, then you would need to be listed on her policy for coverage.

To get lower car insurance rates once you're added to your parents' policy, check with the insurance company to see what kinds of discounts are available for teen drivers. Many insurers offer discounts for good grades in school and for taking behind-the-wheel driving instruction, for instance.

For more, see when to add your teen to your car insurance policy.