Can You Add Someone to Your Car Insurance Who Doesn’t Live With You?
You can add someone who doesn’t live with you to your car insurance, but it depends on a few factors.
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Most of the time, the people listed on your car insurance policy will reside in your household, like your spouse, partner, or children. But in certain circumstances, you can add someone who doesn’t live with you to your car insurance. For example, you might want to add your children’s caregiver to your insurance because they often drive your car.
Here’s what you need to know about adding people outside your household to your car insurance policy.
When it makes sense to add someone you don’t live with to your car insurance policy
In a few circumstances, it makes sense to add someone to your car insurance policy if they don’t live with you. A car insurance company might not allow you to add a friend who lives at a different address to your insurance policy. But the insurer might accept a caregiver who comes to your house regularly and drives your car to bring your children to their extracurricular activities.
If someone who isn’t properly insured through your or their own policy drives your car, you run the risk of not having coverage for a claim. Each insurer is different, and so are insurance policies. If you have questions about what situations and who your policy covers, ask your insurance agent what they recommend.
Here are examples of people outside your household who you can typically add to your policy:
A nanny or babysitter who drives your car
A nurse or caregiver who is in your household regularly and might borrow your vehicle
A family member who visits and wants to drive your car
Neighbors who may borrow your car on occasion
Children who are away at college
Types of drivers to add to your policy
Your insurance company will typically require you to list household members of driving age on your car insurance policy. But different driver categories affect your insurance rates in different ways.
How to add someone to your car insurance policy
To add a friend to your car insurance policy, follow these steps:
Contact your car insurance company or agent. Before you gather your friend’s information, contact your insurer or insurance agent to make sure you’re allowed to add your friend to your policy. If you are, move on to the next step.
Gather personal information. To add a friend to your policy, you’ll likely need their full name, date of birth, driver’s license number, and anything else your insurer requests.
Ask about discounts. You may be eligible for discounts after adding your friend to your car insurance policy. For example, you might be able to secure a safe driver or a good student discount if your friend meets those qualifications.
Keep open communication. Once your friend is on your car insurance policy, keep open communication about who’s paying for the policy and how you want them to handle your vehicle if they drive it.
Ask about permissive use. Some insurers cover your vehicle after an accident if the driver has permission to borrow the car.2 Before lending a car to a friend, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company, as coverage may be limited or not available.
Consider non-owner car insurance. Non-owner car insurance offers liability coverage when a driver gets into an accident operating a vehicle they don’t own. This may be a good alternative instead of adding someone to your policy.
What happens when you add someone to your car insurance policy?
You can add roommates, spouses, and newly licensed teen drivers to your car insurance policy. How it affects the existing policy depends on the driver’s history.
If you add an inexperienced teen driver or college-aged student to your insurance policy, your premiums may increase, but they could be eligible for a good student discount.
If the driver you add to your insurance has a poor driving history, your premiums could increase.
Once someone you add moves out of your home, like a roommate, you can typically take them off your policy.
Your premiums may go up if a named driver gets into an accident while driving your car. As the policyholder, you may be financially responsible for any damages or injuries not covered by your insurance.
Each time your policy renews, speak with your insurer or insurance agent to see if you’re eligible for any new discounts that can save you money long term.
Adding drivers to your car insurance FAQs
If you’re thinking about adding a new driver to your car insurance policy, here’s some additional information that may help you navigate the process. You can also dive deeper by reading Insurify’s guide on adding a teen driver to your car insurance.
Can people in the same house have different car insurance?
It depends on the insurance company. If drivers in the household have good driving records, they could benefit from being on the same car insurance policy. Many car insurance companies offer multi-car discounts.
But if a driver has a poor driving record or bad credit, you might consider having a separate policy from them or excluding them as a driver if their poor history would cause your premium to be more expensive. It’s important to talk to your agent or insurance company to determine what your insurer allows and what would benefit your personal situation the most.
Does your live-in boyfriend or girlfriend need to be on your car insurance?
Most insurance companies ask that you list all drivers living in your household on your car insurance policy. If you decide to insure all vehicles at your house on the same policy, you could qualify for a multi-car discount as well.3
Can you add a non-family member to liability car insurance?
In many cases, yes, you can add a non-family member to liability car insurance — especially if they live with you or drive your car regularly. For example, if you have a nanny who uses your car daily to drive your children to activities, many insurers would allow you to add them to your insurance.
Can unrelated people be on the same car insurance policy?
Yes. Unrelated people can be on the same car insurance policy. For example, if you have a non-family roommate or long-term partner, they can be on your car insurance policy if they live at the same address.
Do you have to add roommates to your car insurance?
It depends on your insurance company. Some will require you to list all drivers who live at your residence on your policy. Others might not require roommates to be on your policy if they never drive your car.
It’s important to have proper insurance, so if you have any questions about your particular roommate situation and whether they have to be on your insurance, call your insurance company to find out.
Can your college student stay on your auto insurance policy?
Yes. Even if your college student moves away to attend school, you can typically keep them on your car insurance policy. Your teenager or young adult child will likely need their own insurance policy once they move out of your home permanently or purchase a car themselves and have the title in their name.
When in doubt, call your insurance company or broker to determine whether your college student can remain on your auto policy.
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