Son In Military: Auto Insurance Options

In general, a son can remain on their parents' auto insurance as long as they live at the same address. This is true even if the son is in the military and only lives at home during the summer months or is away at college. However, if the son has their own vehicle registered in their name, they may need their own insurance policy or have their vehicle listed on their parents' policy.

Staying on parents' insurance after moving out

In the US, there is no age at which you are required to purchase your own car insurance policy. As long as you live in the same house as your parents, you are eligible for coverage under their policy. If you are away at college but still dependent on your parents, you can also remain on their insurance.

However, once you move out of your parents' house, you will need to purchase your own auto insurance plan. This is because your parents' policy usually only covers you while you are considered a dependent. If you own or lease a car of your own, you will also need your own insurance, regardless of where you live.

There are some exceptions to this rule. If you have moved to a temporary residence, such as a college dorm, without a car of your own, you can remain on your parents' auto insurance policy. In general, if you go home to your parents' house for the summer, use their address on employment and tax forms, and have their address on your driver's license, their home is considered your permanent residence.

It is worth noting that staying on your parents' insurance plan can save you money, especially if you are a young or inexperienced driver. Teenage drivers have the highest average car insurance premiums out of any age group. Therefore, it is recommended that you stay on your parents' policy for as long as you can.

However, if your parents have a bad driving record with tickets and accidents, it may cost you more to share an insurance policy with them. In this case, you may want to consider purchasing your own insurance plan.

Pros and cons of staying on parents' insurance

For young adults, the option to stay on their parents' insurance plan until they turn 26 was made possible by the Affordable Care Act. This can be a financially viable option for both the child and the parents. Here are some pros and cons of staying on your parents' insurance:

Pros

• Reduced personal cost: As a young adult, you may not have reached your prime earning years yet, and the chances are that you are working an entry-level or lower-paying job. The less you earn, the higher the percentage of your salary goes towards your insurance premium. Therefore, staying on your parents' plan can reduce your personal cost.
• Convenience: If you live with your parents or nearby, it will be more convenient to find a primary care physician or hospital that is in-network.
• No additional cost to parents: If you are not the only dependent on your parents' plan, adding you to the insurance may not cost your parents any additional premiums. In some cases, the number of dependents does not affect the cost of the plan.
• Saving on car insurance: Teenage drivers have the highest average car insurance premiums out of any age group. If you are a young or inexperienced driver, staying on your parents' car insurance plan can help mitigate the financial stress.

Cons

• Age limit: You will have to leave your parents' insurance plan when you turn 26, so if you are close to that age, it may be better to opt for your own insurance plan earlier.
• Limited access to in-network offices: If you move out of state or region, you may have limited access to in-network medical facilities. In this case, paying out-of-network rates may negate the benefits of staying on your parents' plan.
• Spouse or child not covered: If you have a spouse or child, they will not be covered under your parents' plan, and you will need to get a separate insurance plan for them.
• Bad driving record: If your parents have a bad driving record with tickets and accidents, it may cost you more to share an insurance policy with them.

Parents' insurance and owning your own car

If you own your own car, you will usually need to have your own auto insurance policy. This is especially true if you don't live with your parents. If you co-own a vehicle with your parents but don't live at home, your parents may need to be added to your insurance policy. Their driving profiles won't influence your insurance rate, but as co-owners, their names will need to be on your insurance policy paperwork.

If you live with your parents and they own the car you're driving, you can be on their auto insurance policy. You would be considered a covered driver for that vehicle. If you co-own the car with your parents and live with them, you can be listed on the same insurance policy. This arrangement is quite common, especially for younger drivers who are not yet financially independent.

If you're a full-time college student, you can usually remain on your parents' policy as a covered driver. This is the case even if you drive your parents' car only when you're home for holidays or vacations. If you drove your car to college, most insurers will allow you to stay on your parents' policy, as long as your primary residence is still your parents' address. However, this may not be the case if you attend school out of state.

If you move out of your parents' home, you will likely need to purchase your own auto insurance policy. This is true even if your parents own your car. Most insurance companies require the primary driver of the vehicle to have their own insurance policy. If your parents own your car, they will likely need to be added as non-drivers to your insurance policy. Their driving profiles won't usually affect your insurance rate.

If you're financially independent and don't live with your parents, you'll generally need your own auto insurance policy. This is to ensure you're responsible for any incidents that occur while you're driving.

Removing yourself from parents' insurance

In most states, you will be automatically removed from your parents' health insurance plan when you turn 26. This cutoff is due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which only requires health insurance companies to cover dependents up to this age. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If your parents have health insurance through their employer, you could be removed as a dependent on your 26th birthday, but this depends on the state and plan. On the other hand, if your parent's coverage is through the ACA marketplace, you won't lose coverage right away and can remain on their plan through December 31 of the year you turn 26.

Some states, such as New York, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, allow young adults to stay on a parent's health insurance plan beyond the age of 26, with some even permitting coverage until the age of 30 or 31. Additionally, many states allow disabled dependents to remain on their parent's health plan indefinitely.

If you want to be removed from your parents' health insurance plan before turning 26, the owner of the insurance policy, in this case, your parents, will need to take action and remove you. You cannot force them to do so, and they are not required to remove you simply because you no longer want to be covered by their insurance.

If you are estranged from your parents or wish to minimize contact with them, it is understandable that you may not want to be on their insurance plan. In such cases, you can explore alternative insurance options, such as obtaining your own health insurance through your employer, a subsidized plan through the ACA marketplace, or a government program like Medicaid.

If you are still a student, you may also consider a student health plan offered by your college or university. These plans are typically available to students between the ages of 17 and 29 and can provide coverage regardless of the university or college you attend.

It is important to note that having dual coverage under your parents' and your own insurance plan is also possible. In this case, one plan acts as the primary, and the other as the secondary coverage. However, this does not provide double the benefits, and the insurance companies' coordination of benefits decides which plan is primary and which is secondary.

In summary, while you cannot force your parents to remove you from their health insurance plan, there are alternative insurance options available to you. Additionally, some states do allow coverage beyond the age of 26, and you can always explore obtaining your insurance through other means if you wish to minimize your dependence on your parents' plan.

Discounts for students

Students can get discounts on their car insurance premiums. These discounts are offered directly by the car insurance company to students who can demonstrate that they pose less risk.

There are several ways students can get discounts on their car insurance:

• Good grades: Most insurance companies offer discounts to students who get good grades in high school or college. For example, GEICO, Nationwide, Allstate, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, USAA, and Farmers all offer good student discounts. The requirements vary by company, but generally, students need to maintain a "'B' average or a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Driver's education courses: Some insurance companies offer discounts to students who complete driver's education courses or defensive driving courses. For example, GEICO offers a discount to students who complete their "Steer Clear" program, which includes tracking a student's driving, informational quizzes, and videos.
• Affiliation with certain organizations: Some insurance companies offer discounts to students who are members of specific fraternities, sororities, or honors societies. For example, GEICO offers discounts to members of certain organizations.
• University and alumni discounts: Some insurance companies offer discounts to students who attend certain universities or are alumni of certain universities.
• Bundling policies: Students can also get discounts by bundling their auto policy with other insurance policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance.
• Vehicle safety features: Insurance companies may offer discounts for cars that have certain safety features, such as anti-theft systems or tracking devices.

It's important to note that the availability of these discounts may vary by state and insurance company. Students should compare companies and ask about any available discounts before purchasing a policy.

Frequently asked questions