Insurance companies typically require that all licensed drivers in a household be listed on the auto insurance policy except unlicensed teenagers or those younger than 14.
You should have an auto policy that’s expansive enough to cover everyone who drives in your household, including those who don’t live with you but drive your car occasionally. This could include roommates, spouses, live-in nannies, older licensed children and other family members.
Most people have no idea who needs to be listed on their policy. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about listing drivers on your policy. We explain who needs to be listed so you can make the best decision for your family.
- Auto insurers base premiums on the policyholder’s driving history, in addition to age, credit score, and the vehicle’s make and model.
- If your child lives with you and is a licensed driver, they must be listed on your policy to be adequately covered.
- Your auto insurance policy should cover everyone who drives, including people outside your household who frequently use your vehicles.
Do all household members need to be on car insurance?
All household members should be known to the car insurance company but do not necessarily have to be listed as covered drivers depending upon the situation. But you must list everyone in your household and anyone who might get behind the wheel of your car, even occasionally. The reason for this is your insurance carrier might deny claims for drivers who are not listed on your policy. This can result in serious financial consequences if they get into an accident.
“Not every person in your household needs to be listed on your auto insurance policy, but that typically only includes unlicensed or younger members of the house, under the age of 14,” says Kerry Sherin, consumer advocate with BeenVerified. “Otherwise, a policy should cover everyone who drives in your household, including those outside your household who frequently use your vehicles.”
Your insurance company takes into account a number of risk factors when they calculate your rates. These rates are based on the ages and driving records of the people driving your car. Withholding this information from your insurance carrier is a type of premium fraud and can be considered a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the state.
Learn more: How much does it cost to add a teenager to car insurance?
Who needs to be listed on my car insurance policy?
When you purchase car insurance, you will need to list anyone in your household who has access to your car. Insurance companies use this information to analyze the risk and determine your yearly insurance premium. Insurers generally expect the following people to be listed as drivers on the car insurance policy:
- Significant others
- Friends, neighbors, or live-in nannies who borrow your car on occasion
- Roommates
- Older licensed children
- Other family members who live with you, such as your parents
Do I have to add my child to my car insurance?
If your child lives with you and is a licensed driver, they must be listed on your policy to be adequately covered. If your child has already moved out of your residence, you do not have to list them on your policy, but they would have to get their own car insurance policy.
You must inform your car insurance company if your children do not live with you but still occasionally drive your vehicles. Your insurer may or may not require you to have them as occasional drivers on your policy, depending on the insurer’s internal guidelines.
Read more: Does your spouse have to be on your auto insurance policy?
What happens if I don’t add my teenager to my car insurance?
Failing to add your teenage driver to your car insurance policy can have serious consequences. Your current policy might not cover an accident while your teen is driving the car, and you could be held liable for any resulting damages or injuries. Additionally, you may face severe fines if the authorities find out that your teen was driving a vehicle without proper coverage.
“If there’s a possibility or high probability that the person will be driving your car, they should be listed on your car insurance policy just in case – you will want to avoid any risk of severe financial consequences, Sherin says. “Without knowing who drives your car regularly and who lives with you, an insurer cannot accurately calculate the risk and charge you a premium.”
Do all drivers in a household have to be insured?
No, only those who expect to drive and be covered in an accident must be insured. Your insurance company will ask about everyone of driving age in the household. If anyone is not on your policy, they will not be covered. Furthermore, car insurance companies want to know if they could drive your car.
“If there’s a possibility or high probability that the person will be driving your car, they should be listed on your car insurance policy just in case – you will want to avoid any risk of severe financial consequences, Sherin says. “Without knowing who drives your car regularly and who lives with you, an insurer cannot accurately calculate the risk and charge you a premium.”
Guide: The best and cheapest way to insure teenage drivers
Why do insurance companies ask about all household members?
Car insurance companies ask about all household members. Without having information about all household members and the cars they drive, the insurance company cannot correctly calculate the risk and charge them for the insurance policy.
Does a car insurance premium increase after listing a new driver on the policy?
Your car insurance premium does not necessarily go up when you list household members on the policy. You can disclose your teenager to the insurer, but it will not affect your premiums until they get a driver’s license. If your older licensed children live with you and have their own insurance policy, they must show proof of that coverage to your insurance company.
“Typically, there is no effect on your premiums when household members are just listed on your policy,” Sherin says. “Teenagers may be disclosed to your insurer, but they won’t have an impact on your premiums until they obtain a license. In the event that you live with a licensed driver who has a car insurance policy, your company may ask to see proof of coverage.”
Check out our guide: How much is insurance for new drivers?
Does the policyholder have to be the main driver?
Insurance companies require the policyholder to be the main driver of the insured vehicle. Insurers base the premiums on the policyholder’s driving history, credit score, and vehicle’s make and model. It’s illegal for someone other than the main driver to be the policyholder, known as fronting.
Do I need to have family members listed on my auto insurance who are covered by a different provider?
If you have a family member who has their own insurance, you should still let your car insurance carrier know if they will be driving your car. Anyone who might drive your car, even occasionally, should be listed on your car insurance. This is the only way for your insurance carrier to cover them for damage from possible accidents.
Failing to mention a household driver or another friend or family member who uses your car can have serious financial consequences if they get into an accident while driving your car.
FAQ: Household members and car insurance
Do I have to list all drivers on my insurance?
Most car insurance companies require policyholders to list all licensed drivers in their household on their auto insurance policy. If anyone in the family has an accident while driving your car, your insurance will help pay for damages as long as your policy covers them.
In some cases, you may be able to exclude specific drivers, but this applies to people who don’t live with you, such as a grown child who has moved out of your home. If you exclude someone from your policy and get into an accident while driving your car, your insurance company may refuse to cover the claim.
Do I have to list my roommate on my car insurance?
If your roommate uses your car often, it’s good to list them on your car insurance. It will help cover the repair cost and medical bills if they ever meet with an accident while driving your car.
However, if your roommate does not drive your car, you don’t need to have them listed on your policy. Although most insurers insist on including all the licensed drivers who live with you, you can check with your insurance company.
Do I need to list people on my policy who are not living in my household?
If you let someone who doesn’t live with you use your car regularly, they must be listed as an insured driver on your car insurance policy. Failing to add them could result in severe financial consequences. If they ever get involved in an accident, the insurer may refuse to cover the damage, and you’ll have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
Sonoma County (CA) District Attorney. “Automobile Insurance Fraud Information.” Accessed April 2024.
Mass.gov. “Understanding Auto Insurance.” Accessed April 2024.
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