All licensed drivers in a household must be added to the household car insurance policy. If not, the insurer may not cover an accident or other claims. Therefore, if your daughter drives your insured cars on breaks, she must be added to the policy.
Adding an 18-year-old daughter to a car insurance policy can be expensive since teenage drivers are considered high-risk and pay higher insurance rates. However, you can take advantage of a student-away-at-school discount to lower your car insurance premiums.
What happens if she has an accident while driving the family car during a break?
If your daughter meets with an accident while driving the family car, your insurance will typically cover the incident as long as she’s listed on the policy or has been given permission to drive.
However, the type and extent of coverage would depend on your policy’s limits and the coverage you have. Claims may impact your insurance premium, so consider additional coverage if she’s frequently driving during school breaks.
Is it cheaper to adjust my current policy or get a new one for my daughter when she’s home?
Adjusting your current policy to include your daughter during breaks typically proves less costly and easier to manage than purchasing a separate teen policy. Compare both options by requesting quotes and discussing them with your insurance agent.
Check out our detailed guide on car insurance for an 18-year-old
Final thoughts
Most auto insurance policies cover household members, including children, even if they are away at college. However, it’s essential to inform your insurance provider about their status as a student and confirm that they are covered while driving your vehicles during breaks.
This will help avoid any surprises in case of an accident or claim. It’s also a good idea to review your policy to ensure that you understand any limitations or requirements that may apply.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.