[blparent] dawn stumpner with a question about sighted kids getting driving practice and car insurance that won't totally bust my budgget and sanity

[dawn stumpner]

Hi!

I have 3 kids, one of driving age who doesn't drive, one of 
driving age who has currently just passed his paper written test 
for a permit, and one who will be going through this process in 
three years.  I knew it would be nerve-racking worrying about a 
new driver, but there are other dimensions to the issue that just 
increase the stress.  Does anyone have advice? My main 2 
questions are:
   Driving Practice: Most sighted parents' teens are covered 
under their auto policies while they practice.  Because I will 
have friends giving him practice in their cars, his driving 
school said that I would have to sign a power of attorney of 
which one part says I will be responsible financially for any 
accidents he has.  I'm fine morally being responsible for them, 
but my home policy would not pay for that, and I do not have an 
auto policy because I don't drive.  My insurance person said 
there is no other type of policy I could buy to cover that.  She 
said he may be covered under the people's policies with whom he'd 
be practicing, but my worry is that if I sign a power of attorney 
saying that I'm financially responsible, won't their insurance 
companies use that to not pay if, God forbid, there is any type 
of accident?
   Insurance once he has a license: Even once he has a license, I 
know insurance would be expensive, but it looks like it will 
probably be $3,000 a year because there is no adult on the policy 
if I don't drive.  In addition, this could continue until he is 
21 because he will still be a "youthful driver" until that age.

Has anyone who does not drive or have their own auto policy but 
has had teens go through practicing and getting a license have 
any advice? Or does anyone out there who has law or insurance 
experience have any suggestions? Any advice would be much 
appreciated.
     Thanks!
        Dawn