Adding Your Child to Your Car Insurance

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Do I have to add my child to my car insurance

If your child has a driver’s license, lives in your household and drives a car that is registered to your home, they will need to be added to your car insurance policy. This will be the case regardless of their age, as anyone living in your household with access to your cars will need to be a listed driver on your car insurance. However, if your child has their driver’s license but doesn’t plan on driving for the foreseeable future, you can opt to formally exclude them from your car insurance policy. You may need to sign a form with your insurance company confirming that your child will not drive any of your cars. If they do get behind the well — and get into an accident — your car insurance company will not cover the damages. Once you and your child decide that they will start driving again, you can contact your insurance company to include your child again as a driver in your policy. Auto Car Guides

Looking to save money on auto insurance

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Benefits of adding your child to your car insurance policy

Although you will probably see a premium increase when you add your child to your policy, there are benefits as well. Some common advantages to adding your child as a driver on your auto insurance policy are: Lower premiums for your child: If your teen is 18 or older, they could purchase a policy in their name (assuming they own, lease or finance their own car). However, car insurance for on their own is generally pretty expensive. If your teen lives with you and if your name is also on their vehicle, they’ll likely save money by staying on your policy. Qualifying for new discounts: There are plenty of available for teen drivers. You might be able to offset some of the cost of adding your teen driver by taking advantage of good student discounts, distant student discounts and teen driving programs. Simplified policy management: Having your entire household on one policy could make it easier for you to make changes, pay bills and keep track of your insurance documents. Gaining coverage for your teen: Adding your teen driver helps to provide coverage if an accident occurs. If your child is not listed as a driver on your policy but still drives one of your vehicles regularly, coverage could be denied after an accident. Additionally, adding your teen to your car insurance policy could present a learning opportunity. You could teach your child about car insurance, explain why it is an important purchase and teach them how to pay bills.

Costs of adding a young driver to your car insurance

Adding a teen driver to your car insurance policy will likely increase your rate. A recent Bankrate study on found that faced some of the most expensive car insurance premiums of all age groups. When added to their parents’ policy, the overall premium cost increased by between $2,000 to $2,300 per year for a full coverage policy, on average. Part of the higher cost for insuring teen drivers is attributed to their lack of driving experience, but other factors may be in play too. In most cases, teens don’t have a credit history or credit score, which is used in some states to determine car insurance rates. They also aren’t able to get discounts like loyalty, bundling or multiple vehicle discounts. However, teens can access special to help offset some of the premium increase. Auto Car Guides

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When do you add your teenager or young adult to your car insurance

Generally, you should add your teen or young adult child to your policy as soon as they get their driver’s license. To be safe, though, you may want to contact your insurance provider before your child starts driving. Some states, such as , provide insurance carriers with “risk alert” reports. These reports advise them of any licensed operators that possess the insured’s address on their driver’s license. After receiving risk alert reports, carriers usually reach out to policyholders and request one of the following: That the unlisted operator be added to the policy. Proof that the unlisted operator is insured elsewhere. Proof that the unlisted operator resides elsewhere. Official documents such as a utility bill, rental agreement or deed are typically the types of official documents accepted to show proof of residence. Failure to prove that the unlisted operator is insured elsewhere or they reside elsewhere requires that they be added onto the policy. In addition, failure to provide the appropriate information to allow the unlisted operator to be added onto the policy could lead to midterm cancellation or non-renewal of the auto policy.

When should your adult son or daughter get their own auto insurance policy

There is not a required age for when your child has to get their own policy. As long as they are still living with you and you have insurable interest in the vehicle they drive, there is no certain age at which you must remove them from your car insurance policy. However, if any of the following factors below, it may be time for your child to be on their own policy. They are married or have children of their own. They are the sole owner of the vehicle they drive and do not live in your household. They are financially independent. If none of the above factors are in play yet, many insurance experts recommend keeping your teen or young adult on your policy.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need to own a car to have insurance

No. Most younger teens do not own the vehicles they drive and their names may not be on a lease or loan either. If your child is driving a vehicle owned by you or someone else in your household, they still need to be added as a driver to your policy.

What information do I need to add my child to my policy

You’ll likely need your child’s name, date of birth and driver’s license number. You may also need their Social Security number. If your child qualifies for a good student or distant student discount, you may need proof of their grades (like a recent grade card) or proof of the school they attend without a car (like an admissions letter with the school name on it).

How can I save money on car insurance for teens

Adding a teen to your policy presents a good opportunity to shop your coverage with different . You might find that the company that was cheapest for you before adding your teen is no longer the cheapest option. Taking advantage of discounts is another solid strategy to save money, as is educating your child about safe driving habits so they maintain a clean driving record. SHARE: Cate Deventer is a writer, editor and insurance professional with over a decade of experience in the insurance industry as a licensed insurance agent. Maggie Kempken is an insurance editor for Bankrate. She helps manage the creation of insurance content that meets the highest quality standards for accuracy and clarity to help Bankrate readers navigate complex information about home, auto and life insurance. She also focuses on ensuring that Bankrate’s insurance content represents and adheres to the Bankrate brand. Ronda Sunderhaus has been a licensed insurance agent since 2013 and is a senior compliance associate in the insurance field.

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Adding Your Child to Your Car Insurance

Advertiser Disclosure

How We Make Money

On This Page

The Bankrate promise

The Bankrate promise

Editorial integrity

Key Principles

Editorial Independence

How we make money

Insurance Disclosure

Compare auto insurance rates

Rates increased up to 12% this year

Compare auto insurance rates

Do I have to add my child to my car insurance

Looking to save money on auto insurance

Benefits of adding your child to your car insurance policy

Costs of adding a young driver to your car insurance

Looking to save money on auto insurance

When do you add your teenager or young adult to your car insurance

When should your adult son or daughter get their own auto insurance policy

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need to own a car to have insurance

What information do I need to add my child to my policy

How can I save money on car insurance for teens

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