Auto Insurance: When To Add Another Person To Your Policy

Adding a driver to your auto insurance policy is a simple process, but it's important to understand when and how to do it to maintain appropriate coverage. You should typically include licensed drivers who live in your household or regularly drive your vehicle on your car insurance policy. This could be a partner who moves in, teenage children who obtain their driver's licenses, or college-aged children who drive your car when they return home. It's also worth checking with your insurance company whether they would like you to include others who live with you, such as roommates or boarders, on your insurance.

When to add a driver to your policy

When to add a driver to your auto insurance policy depends on a few factors. Firstly, you should consider whether the person in question lives with you and has access to your vehicle. This typically includes licensed drivers who are members of your household, such as a partner, teenage children, or college-aged children who drive your car when they are home. Most insurance companies require you to add such individuals to your policy.

In some cases, insurance providers may also mandate that you include everyone living at the same address as your policy, even if they are not related to you, such as roommates. Therefore, it is essential to check with your insurance company about their specific requirements.

Additionally, you should consider the frequency with which a person drives your car. If someone who lives with you drives your vehicle regularly, it is advisable to add them to your policy. On the other hand, if a person does not live with you and only borrows your car occasionally, they are typically covered under the "permissive use" clause of your policy and do not need to be added.

It is worth noting that the cost of adding a driver to your insurance policy can vary depending on their age, driving history, and other factors. Adding an inexperienced or high-risk driver may increase your premiums, while adding a more experienced driver with a clean record could lower your insurance costs.

How to add a driver to your policy

Adding a driver to your car insurance policy is a simple process and can usually be done online or over the phone. It is important to do so to ensure you have appropriate coverage.

When to Add a Driver to Your Policy

You should add any licensed driver who lives in your household and has access to your vehicle to your insurance policy. This includes:

• A partner who moves in
• Teenage children who obtain their driver's licenses
• College-aged children who drive your vehicle when they return home for the holidays

You may also need to add other people who live with you, such as roommates or boarders, to your insurance. Check with your insurance company for their specific requirements.

If someone who doesn't live with you but regularly uses your car, such as a babysitter or healthcare worker, ask your insurer whether you should list them on your policy.

To add a driver to your car insurance policy, contact your insurance company with the following information about the additional driver:

• Their full name and date of birth
• Their marital status
• Their Social Security number
• Their address, if they don't live with you
• Their driving history, including the number of years they've held a license and details of any accidents and traffic violations
• Their driver's license number, issuing state, and status
• Whether they need an SR-22 financial responsibility certificate
• Any information that may help you secure a discount, such as details of a defensive driving course they've taken or their current grade point average
• Their vehicle's make, model, year, and vehicle identification number, if you're sharing a policy for separate vehicles

The Cost of Adding a Driver to Your Policy

Adding a driver to your car insurance policy will affect your rates, but not always by raising them. Depending on the age and driving history of the additional driver, your rates may go up or down. For example, adding an inexperienced or teenage driver will likely increase your rates, while adding a more experienced driver with a clean driving record may lower your premiums.

Cost of adding a driver to your policy

The cost of adding a driver to your auto insurance policy depends on several factors, including the driver's age, driving record, and experience. While there is usually no fee for adding a driver to your policy, it may result in changes to your insurance rates.

In general, adding an experienced driver with a clean driving record will not increase your insurance costs. On the other hand, adding a young or inexperienced driver, or one with a history of accidents or traffic violations, will likely lead to higher insurance premiums as they are considered high-risk motorists. Insurance companies consider teens and drivers under 26 to be high-risk, resulting in higher rates for this age group.

According to WalletHub's 2021 comparison of insurance rates, a 21-year-old driver would pay $1,436 as the sole driver on a six-month policy. Adding a 16-year-old driver to the same policy would increase the premium to $2,303, while adding a 30-year-old or a 50-year-old driver would result in lower premiums of $1,304 and $1,268, respectively.

It's important to note that each insurance company has its own criteria for determining rates, and the cost of adding a driver can vary depending on the specific circumstances. Contacting your insurance provider and providing them with the necessary information about the additional driver is the best way to get an accurate quote for the updated premium.

In summary, while there may be no direct cost for adding a driver to your policy, it's essential to consider the potential impact on your insurance rates, especially if the additional driver falls into a high-risk category.

When you need to add someone to your insurance

You should add any licensed driver who lives in your household and has access to your vehicle to your insurance policy. This includes:

• A partner who moves in
• Teenage children who obtain their driver's licenses
• College-aged children who drive your vehicle when they return home for the holidays
• Roommates or boarders who borrow your car
• Health care workers who live outside your home but use your car regularly

In some states, insurance companies require standard coverage for drivers with a learner's permit. In other states, insurers start charging once your teen has a full license.

You should also add any regular drivers of your car to your insurance policy, even if they don't live with you, so that damages from accidents are covered.

If you don't add a driver to your insurance policy when required, you may not have coverage for any accidents they're involved in.

When you don't need to add someone to your insurance

There are several situations in which you don't need to add someone to your auto insurance. Here are some scenarios:

• Occasional Borrowers: If someone who doesn't live with you only borrows your car occasionally, you typically don't need to add them to your policy. Most auto insurance policies have a "permissive use" clause, which means that your insurance coverage extends to other drivers as long as you gave them permission to use your car. This clause ensures that if an accident occurs while they're driving your vehicle, they will still be covered.
• Roommates with Separate Vehicles: If you and your roommate each have your own vehicle and don't drive each other's cars frequently, you may not need to add each other to your respective policies. However, some insurance companies require you to include everyone who lives with you, so it's best to check with your insurer.
• Babysitters and Occasional Workers: You generally don't need to add people who only work for you occasionally, such as babysitters, to your auto insurance policy. This is because they are not considered regular users of your vehicle and are not expected to drive it routinely.
• Excluded Drivers: If there are licensed drivers in your household whom you don't intend to let drive your vehicle, you can list them as excluded drivers on your policy. This can help you avoid paying higher premiums, especially if the excluded driver has a poor driving history.

It's important to note that the requirements and recommendations for auto insurance can vary by state and insurance company. Therefore, it's always a good idea to consult with your insurance provider to clarify their specific guidelines and ensure you have the appropriate coverage.

Frequently asked questions