Car Insurance for Multiple Drivers: How It Works
Adding a spouse, child, or roommate to your car insurance is often cheaper than each driver having their own policy.
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One car insurance policy can cover multiple drivers. A multi-driver policy is common for many families and shared households.
But having additional drivers on your policy can affect your rates. Each person’s driving record, gender and age, the vehicle they drive, how often they drive, and other factors all play a role in the price of your premium.1
Here’s what you need to know about adding drivers to your car insurance policy.
How to add multiple drivers to your car insurance
If you already have a car insurance policy and want to add another driver, you’ll need to contact your insurance agent. With some insurers, you may be able to make the change online in your customer dashboard.
To add someone, you’ll need the following personal information:
Name
Driver’s license number
Age they first got their license
Date of birth
If you’re adding that driver’s car, you’ll also need vehicle information, including its make, model, year, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
Typically, you can add a new driver to your policy at any time — as long as you share the same permanent address.
Cheapest car insurance for multiple drivers
The cheapest car insurance companies for multiple drivers depend on your location and factors specific to you and the other drivers on your policy. But generally, USAA, GEICO, State Farm, Erie Insurance, and Allstate have the best rates.
Below are average monthly liability-only rates to insure two married drivers — one of the most common multi-driver scenarios. You may be able to save more by adding additional drivers, bundling your auto policy with homeowners or renters insurance, or choosing a deductible.
Ask your insurance company about other discounts for safe driving, good students, and what other potential discounts you may qualify for.
Who to add to your car insurance policy
Adding someone to your car insurance policy is often a good idea if you live together — even if they only drive your vehicle occasionally or have their own car. Being on the same policy is common for people who live together who are related, married, or engaged.
Here’s a breakdown of some different people you might want to add to your policy.
Roommate
You can typically share a policy with other household members, like a roommate, as long as you park at the same address. This may qualify you for lower premiums than if you had two separate policies.
You may also want to add your roommate to your policy if they occasionally drive your vehicle — like if they borrow your car while you’re out of town. This will ensure your policy covers any damage while they’re behind the wheel.
You can add a roommate to your policy, or they can add you to their policy. In some cases, it may be cheaper to get a new policy together. Check with your insurers, and shop around to find the best rates for your situation.
Teen driver or college student
Another time you may want to add a driver to your policy is when your teen driver gets their learner’s permit or driver’s license. If they have a vehicle of their own, you’ll need to add their car to your policy, too.
Your child can typically stay on your policy when they’re away at school, like college. But their primary residence — where they spend summer and school breaks — must still be your home address.
Keep in mind that adding a young driver to your policy can send your premiums up significantly. Drivers ages 15–19 have the highest rate of accidents across all age groups.
Spouse
If you’re married (or getting married) and live at the same address, you may want to add your spouse to your policy. Some insurers might even require it.
Sharing a policy can make for easier bill payments. You only have to manage one insurance payment per month as a household, and it could save you money or qualify you for valuable discounts on your premiums.
Can I add someone to my car insurance who doesn’t live with me?
Typically, you must live with someone or be related to them in order to share a car insurance policy. One exception is if your child is a college student and currently away at school. In this scenario, they’d need to still share a permanent address with you and spend their summers and school breaks in your home, but they could reside elsewhere the rest of the year.
Some insurers also let you add non-family members to your policy, like a friend who borrows your car regularly or a babysitter who uses your vehicle to drive your kids. Your policy may also cover occasional drivers if it allows for permissive use — meaning you gave your friend or neighbor permission to borrow your car. Check with your insurer about coverage options.2
Best car insurance for multiple drivers
If you want to add someone to your car insurance policy, make sure you shop around to find the best rates. Each insurance company offers different coverage, premiums, and discounts. Comparing quotes can ensure you get the best policy at the best price.
See below for three of the best insurance companies for policies with multiple drivers.
State Farm: Best for parents
USAA: Best for military households
GEICO: Best for discounts
To choose the best car insurance companies for multiple drivers, we looked at average premiums, discount options, availability, customer service, coverage options, and other details. To learn more about each insurer we choose, see Insurify’s State Farm review, GEICO review, and USAA review.
Factors affecting premiums for multiple drivers
Car insurance premiums can vary quite a bit from one policy to the next. Some factors that could affect what you and the other drivers on your policy pay for auto insurance include:
If you or another driver has a car accident and is primarily at fault, the policy’s premium will increase by a certain percentage. This increase will remain in place for three years following the insurance claim.3
Car insurance and multiple drivers FAQs
See the additional information below to learn more about sharing an insurance policy with family members or other drivers.
How does insurance work with multiple drivers?
If you have multiple drivers on your policy, it means your insurer will cover all drivers in the event they get in a wreck or need to file a claim. It also may qualify you for a discount on your premium.
How many drivers can you put on one insurance policy?
It depends. Some insurers allow you to insure up to four drivers on the same policy, while others may allow more.
Can multiple people insure one vehicle?
Yes. You can have multiple drivers on the insurance for the same vehicle. This will ensure they’re covered if they have an accident while driving that car.
If you’re insuring two cars, do you have to list all the drivers?
Insurance companies typically require you to list all the licensed drivers at your address when taking out a policy. In some cases, you may be able to exclude a driver from coverage.
What does adding a driver to your insurance do?
Adding a driver to your car insurance policy ensures they’re covered if they get into an accident while driving your vehicle. If they have their own vehicle, you’ll want to add that to the policy, too (it could also qualify you for a multi-car discount).
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