When might a personal auto policy cover property damage caused by a 16-year-old driver?

A personal auto policy may cover property damage caused by a 16-year-old driver when the vehicle is registered in the parent's name. This is because many personal auto policies provide liability coverage for the insured vehicle, which typically includes any permissive users, such as a family member who is underage. If the vehicle is owned and insured by the parent, the policy would extend to cover incidents caused by a 16-year-old driver, provided that the young driver is using the vehicle with permission.

The other scenarios do not necessarily create a coverage obligation under typical conditions. Completing a driver's education course is beneficial for the driver but does not automatically confer coverage under the policy. Similarly, the nature of the accident (whether minor or not) does not dictate coverage. Lastly, the presence of a parent during the driving does not inherently change the terms of liability coverage. Therefore, in the context of personal auto insurance, the registration of the vehicle in the parent's name is crucial for ensuring that the policy extends coverage to a young driver who is likely still under their guardianship.