Adding a Driver to Your Car Insurance Really Is This Easy

The process of adding a driver to your car insurance policy is usually simple and can be done either over the phone or through your online account. Either option should be a straightforward and relatively quick process.

Let’s explore the two methods for adding a driver to insurance and the potential impact on your insurance premiums.

How to add a driver to your car insurance

Many insurance companies make the process of adding a driver to your insurance policy simple, whether by making a phone call or completing a form online.

Before you begin, make sure you have important information about the driver, such as:

Add a driver online

To add a driver online, you can log in to your account, select a policy, and choose the option to add a driver to your account. Enter the information about the driver, such as name, date of birth and driver’s license number, and submit the changes.

Add a driver by phone

If you can’t or don’t want to add a driver online, you can also do it by phone. To add a driver to your insurance policy over the phone, locate the phone number of your insurance provider on your insurance card, in your online account, or on the company website. Inform the insurance agent of your intention to add a driver, and they will guide you through the next steps.

Who should you add to your car insurance?

A general rule of thumb is that you should add anyone who lives in your household and drives your vehicle. This will help ensure that any applicable damages are covered by your insurance if there’s a car accident. You could even risk losing your coverage if a household member is behind the wheel when an accident occurs but isn’t listed on your policy, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

People who you may want to add to your car insurance as a driver might include:

• Spouse
• Partner or significant other
• Child who’s a licensed driver
• Roommate
• Friend, if they live with you

When should you add someone to your insurance?

It’s a good idea to add someone to your auto policy if they might drive your car more than occasionally. Occasionally borrowing your car is typically covered under a “permissive use” clause, but not every insurer includes this clause, which grants you the right to permit someone to use your car and still be covered by your policy.

A few examples of when you might want to add a person to your policy include:

• When they live with you: Roommates, housemates, and other people who share long-term living arrangements with you could be considered to have access to your car.
• When you’re moving in together: If you and your significant other are moving in together, it makes sense to add them to your policy as a named insured.
• When you get married: You can add your spouse to your policy after you get married, even if they retain their own car insurance.
• When they earn their driver’s license: When your child, roommate, or family member becomes a licensed driver, they’ll need to be insured to drive legally.
• When they’re your caregiver: If someone regularly drives you places, such as to appointments, using your car, you may want to add them to your insurance.

Keep in mind that not every type of vehicle use requires adding the user to your auto policy. For example, the following situations don’t require adding someone to your insurance:

• A friend who borrows your car when they visit every once in a while
• A roommate who has their own car
• A family member who helps you drive on a road trip
• A child at college who has their own vehicle
• A partner or significant other who has their own place and means of transportation

How much does it cost to add a driver to an insurance policy?

The actual car insurance cost of adding a driver to your policy depends on various factors, including the driver’s age, gender, driving history, and driving experience. You also have to consider whether the new driver is adding a vehicle as well.

Adding a driver doesn’t always mean your car insurance premiums will drastically increase. For example, if you’re a younger driver, adding an experienced older driver with a good driving record may not significantly impact the premium.

On the other hand, adding a teen driver or a driver who doesn’t have a clean driving record (considered a high-risk driver) typically increases your premium.

Your premium will typically increase if you add a driver to your insurance policy along with their vehicle.

If adding another driver to your policy will increase your rates, you may want to review your coverage to make sure it’s still appropriate for your needs. Increasing your deductibles can lower your car insurance rates. It’s typically best to find a balance between having sufficient coverage and decreasing your premiums.

Learn the difference between liability versus full coverage auto insurance to decide the exact level of protection you need.

FAQs

Bottom line

The process for adding a driver to your insurance is often straightforward and can be done over the phone or online. However, it might not make sense to add another driver to your policy if they rarely use your vehicle, have their own vehicle, or don’t live with you.

To learn more about available insurance options in your area, visit our list of the best car insurance companies.

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