State laws differ, but most insurance companies require policyholders to list all licensed household members on their policy since they can access your vehicle(s).
In some states, if you don’t tell your insurance company about all the drivers in your household, it can be deemed misrepresentation, a form of fraud. However, married couples may have several options for covering or excluding their spouse, depending on their driving and credit record.
- Married couples with clean driving records could save between 4% and 13% by combining their auto insurance plans into one.
- If one spouse has a poor driving record or low credit score – and never plans to drive the family car – excluding them from the policy may reduce your premiums.
- Named-driver exclusions are not allowed in some states or by all insurance companies, so it’s a good idea to shop for insurance that meets this criterion.
Can married couples have separate car insurance?
Before getting married, couples usually maintain separate car insurance policies if they both have their own cars and live in different places. They may be able to keep separate policies after marriage, but they’ll usually need to be listed on each other’s policies after moving in together.
It’s usually cheaper for spouses to come together and be covered under one policy after marriage. Insurers generally charge lower premiums for married couples than for individual drivers. You may get additional car insurance discounts for insuring more than one car and driver on the same policy.
If both partners have clean driving records, the savings can be significant. Married couples with clean records on the same policy typically pay about 4% to 13% less than safe, single drivers.
However, there are some situations where adding your spouse to your coverage can raise your rates, such as if your spouse has a poor driving record or a low credit score. In that case, you may want to exclude your husband or wife from your coverage – but only if your spouse never plans to drive your car.
How does your spouse’s driving record affect your car insurance rates?
Auto insurance companies typically consider all licensed drivers in a household when calculating rates. A spouse with a poor driving or credit record can boost your rates – or make it difficult to get coverage, depending on their driving history.
Insurance companies determine premiums based on various rating factors, a major one being your motor vehicle record. And your rates might increase if the insurer finds that a driver on your policy has multiple traffic violations. If any of the violations are significant offenses, such as reckless driving or DUI, then that will make the rates go even higher.
If you don’t want your spouse’s poor record to affect your rates, consider a named-driver exclusion if state laws and your insurance company’s guidelines allow. This is an endorsement of your policy that says your spouse won’t be covered when driving your car.
In that case, your spouse won’t be covered by your car insurance policy, leaving them uninsured if they drive your vehicle. So, if you and your spouse plan to drive each other’s cars occasionally, you can keep separate policies but will need to list each other on your policies.
“It may bring a lower premium, but the risk could be very high if your spouse has an accident — not to mention that it could impact your rates going forward if you lied and your spouse did use your vehicle,” says Loretta Worters, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute.
The rules vary by insurer and state.
Can my spouse drive my car without insurance?
If you have a car and insurance but your spouse does not have a separate vehicle, they should be listed as a driver on your car insurance policy. Most insurance companies require all licensed household members to be listed as drivers on the policy.
If you haven’t informed the insurance company that you’re married, you need to do that now and add them to the policy. They don’t have to buy their own policy – in fact, they usually wouldn’t get a separate policy if they only have one vehicle.
Once listed as drivers, the insurance company will rate them as occasional, primary or secondary. If they have a bad driving record or there is some other reason they haven’t been listed on your policy up to this point, then your rates may go up when you add them.
If this happens and you want them to be covered when driving your car, it’s a good time to shop around for more affordable auto insurance. The formulas for setting rates can vary from company to company.
What happens if your spouse does not have a license?
If your spouse isn’t on your car insurance policy because they don’t have a license, they could be listed as “unlicensed” and marked as unrated so they won’t affect your car insurance rates. Without a license, they should not be driving your car.
But if they take the car and have an accident, your auto insurance company will non-renew you at the end of your policy period or may require you to add your spouse to the policy as a rated driver and pay a premium for them– even if they aren’t licensed — now that they have driven your vehicle without being licensed and crashed it.
What happens if you don’t inform your car insurance company about your spouse?
If you fail to inform your car insurance company that you have a spouse, then the insurer can assert that there was a material misrepresentation on your part. In many states, the car insurance company can deny claims and cancel your policy because of a material misrepresentation.
Why do insurance companies ask about marital status?
Insurance companies inquire about marital status when setting car insurance rates because statistical data indicates that married people pose a lower risk on the road than single drivers.
Married people are often considered more responsible and tend to engage in safer driving behaviors, leading to fewer accidents and insurance claims. This reduced risk allows insurers to offer lower premiums to married policyholders as they are less likely to cost the company in payouts.
By assessing marital status alongside other factors like age, driving history and vehicle type, insurers can more accurately price policies to reflect the likelihood of future claims.
People also ask
Would my wife have to have insurance or be on my policy if she has a driver’s license and only drives one of my vehicles with insurance?
If your wife has a valid driver’s license and only drives one of your insured vehicles, she is generally covered under your policy as long as she is a permitted driver. Most auto insurance policies cover any licensed driver with permission to drive your car.
However, it’s advisable to add her to your policy as a listed driver. This ensures that she is fully covered in case of an accident and helps prevent any potential complications with claims.
Can I remove my spouse from my car insurance?
Yes, you can remove your spouse from your car insurance policy for specific reasons, such as a poor driving record, divorce or if they already hold a separate policy.
Contact your insurance company to inform them of the change. They will guide you through the steps and documentation required to remove your spouse from the policy.
Find out if you need to notify your insurer about your divorce.
Benefits of adding your spouse to your car insurance policy
Adding your spouse to your car insurance policy has many benefits, which are mentioned below.
- Cost savings: Many car insurance companies offer multi-car discounts or other discounts when you add another person to your policy, which can reduce your overall premium.
- Convenience: Having a shared policy simplifies management. You and your spouse will have a single policy to review and pay premiums, making it easier to track coverage and renewals.
- Combined coverage options: If you and your spouse are on the same policy, you can select coverage that better suits your needs, including liability, collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Flexibility for future changes: If you plan to purchase another vehicle or change your coverage, having both names on the policy can make it easier to adjust coverage as needed.
- Simplified claims process: If your spouse is involved in an accident, having them on the same policy streamlines the claims process, as there’s no need to navigate multiple policies or insurers.
Frequently asked questions
Does marital status affect your car insurance rates?
Yes, marital status can affect car insurance rates. Statistically, married drivers tend to have fewer accidents and file fewer claims than single drivers, leading many insurance companies to offer lower rates for married individuals.
Do car insurance companies ask for proof of marriage?
When you apply for a policy or add a spouse to an existing policy, car insurance companies may ask for proof of marriage. This proof can include a marriage certificate or other legal documentation.
Is car insurance cheaper if you are married?
Car insurance can be cheaper for married individuals than for single drivers. Insurance companies often offer discounts to married couples due to the lower risk associated with their driving habits. However, rates can vary based on other factors, such as driving history, location, and the type of vehicle insured.
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