• Most insurance companies won’t allow you to add people to your policy who do not live in your house
• In some cases, you may be able to keep people on your policy if they are temporarily out of the house, such as a child off at college
• Adding or removing people from your auto insurance policy will change your insurance rates

Most car insurance policies cover vehicles that multiple people drive. Usually, though, those people must live in the same household to be covered under one auto insurance policy. Otherwise, a person would need a separate policy to be covered.

There are some cases in which a car insurance policy will cover drivers who do not live under the same roof, but these exceptions are few and far between.

You may be curious whether your insurance company will allow your policy to cover drivers who don’t live with you. You will need to read through your policy and ask your insurance company if you need clarification.

Can I add a person to my insurance who does not live with me?

Insurance companies don’t often allow policyholders to add people to a policy who do not live under the same roof. But one insurance policy will typically cover a car and all the family members in the same household who use it.

It can be challenging to add someone to your policy who does not live with you, and, depending on your insurance company, it may not be possible to do so.

Does car insurance follow the person or the car?

Car insurance always follows the car, not the driver. Because of this, many people get confused if they are driving a friend or family member’s car and they get in an accident.

If you have a car and allow people to drive it regularly, car insurance companies often require that you add those individuals to your auto insurance policy. But if family members and friends occasionally borrow your vehicle when they come to town to visit, they should be covered under your policy.

But what are you supposed to do if someone drives your car regularly and doesn’t live in your home? Can that individual purchase insurance on your vehicle to ensure they are covered if they get into an accident?

Can someone else insure my car?

Someone else can purchase a second insurance policy on your vehicle. If that individual regularly drives your car and cannot get coverage under your insurance policy, it may be best to set it up.

Before anyone purchases an auto insurance policy on your vehicle, speak with your insurance company to ensure that person cannot be listed under your policy. You may find that your insurance company allows you to add other people, even when they live elsewhere.

What is permissive use of a vehicle?

Permissive use is essentially permission you grant another person to drive your vehicle for a short period of time. Most insurance companies require permissive use of a covered vehicle to accept and cover insurance claims.

Most insurance policies allow permissive users of a vehicle to get all of the coverage included in the car insurance policy. But some car insurance policies have exceptions for coverage when it comes to someone borrowing a vehicle.

If a person takes your car without your permission, that individual will not be covered under your auto insurance policy. Instead, they will be held liable for the damages and will have to pay for them independently.

Can my college student stay on my auto insurance policy?

In many cases, your college student will be able to stay on your auto insurance policy. Often, college students have a temporary address at or near their university but still hold their permanent address at their parent or guardian’s home.

If your college student has permanently moved to a new place, or if your college student has their car registered in their name, they will probably need to purchase a separate car insurance policy on the vehicle.

When a child lives away at college, the rules for coverage can vary from one company to another, so be sure to check with your insurance company if you have any questions on how your coverage works.

What happens if I add someone to my policy?

Every time you add an individual to your car insurance policy, you can expect your rates to increase. While the increase may not be significant, you will want to check with your car insurance company to see how much your monthly or annual costs will be.

Some insurance companies may charge you a one-time fee of around $30 to $50 to add someone to your policy. The same is likely true if you remove someone from your car insurance.

As you remove children or other family members from a car insurance policy, you can expect your monthly rates to decrease at least a little bit. However, if you find that your rates stay the same after people have been removed, call your insurance company to see how you can lower your rates.

How can I find cheaper rates for people on my policy?

The best way to find cheap car insurance rates is to shop online and compare quotes from one company to the next. Doing this will help you see which car insurance companies offer the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

As you shop around, mention how many people will be listed on your policy, likely impacting your rates. By doing so, you won’t be surprised to find that your car insurance rates are higher than you expected.

How much is a multi-driver policy?

The cost you will pay for a policy that includes multiple drivers will vary depending on several factors, such as:

• Number of drivers
• Ages of drivers
• Driving records
• ZIP code
• Make and model of vehicle
• Type of coverage

The average monthly rate for a full coverage multi-driver policy in the U.S. is around $225, including collision and comprehensive coverage. If you have one or more teen drivers on your policy, you can expect these rates to be higher.

To get lower rates on your insurance coverage, you may consider pursuing specific discount options, such as safe driver, new car, good student, or paid-in-full. Discounts can lower car insurance rates by up to 20%, so it’s essential to speak to your insurance company to see whether you qualify for any.

Adding People to Your Car Insurance Policy: The Bottom Line

You can list anyone living in your household who has a valid driver’s license on your car insurance policy. If there are people who drive your car on occasion, like friends or family members traveling from out of town, they will likely be covered under your policy based on permissive use.

If you have a college student who temporarily lives on or near campus, they can remain on your policy as long as their permanent address is still your home address.

Other individuals who do not live with you but need auto insurance coverage for your vehicle may have to purchase a separate car insurance policy. Before making any changes concerning coverage, speak with a representative from your insurance company to see what might work best.