Can my 18-year-old drive my cars during college breaks without increasing the premium?

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. 

Written by:

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.

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Reviewed by:

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura Longero is an insurance expert with more than 15 years of experience educating people about personal finance topics and helping consumers navigate the complexities of auto insurance. She writes and edits for QuinStreet’s CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Prior to joining QuinStreet, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network.

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Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• What happens if she has an accident while driving the family car during a break?
• Is it cheaper to adjust my current policy or get a new one for my daughter when she’s home?
• Final thoughts

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.

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Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.