There are many reasons you may want to add another driver to your car insurance policy. Luckily, it’s usually possible to include another named individual to your vehicle coverage. Let’s take a look at who you can include on your coverage and what happens when you do.

Can I add someone to my car insurance that doesn’t live with me?

If someone, like a friend or a relative, is using your car on a regular basis and does not live at the same address as you, it is possible to have them put onto your vehicle coverage. You will need to contact your policyholder and have them added to make sure their coverage is appropriate for the amount they are using your car.

When it comes to a teen who is moving away from the home for college, there should be no problem with including them on your insurance. Even though they are living outside your residence, more often than not your home address will be considered their permanent abode.

How about drivers who live with me? Do they have to be related?

Individuals all living at the same address are much easier to add to a single policy than those living elsewhere. This can be a relative, such as a spouse or a child, or a roommate or friend. The people living at the same address who are of driving age will have to be accounted for either way – either as having access and the ability to drive the vehicle or being excluded from operating it.

Including people who live with you on your policy means that any accidents they cause will be covered, as well as any injuries they sustain. Additional drivers do not need to be related to you in order to be covered on your policy.

How old does the driver have to be? Will this affect my premium?

Anyone who is above the legal driving age can be added to your policy – there is no maximum age when it comes to insurance for operating a vehicle. The age of the individual can impact your premium, however.

Younger drivers, 25 and under, are considered to be the most at-risk group when it comes to being involved in accidents and making claims. As such, including a young person on your policy may cause a significant increase in your annual payment. If the person you want to add is a learning driver, you may want to consider a specific learner policy, which can mitigate some of the premium cost.

Will my premium be affected by someone with a poor driving history?

Trying to cover an individual who has made claims for accidents or has a poor driving history can be difficult. Some insurance agencies will refuse to cover them due to the liability or offer to cover them at a very high premium as a deterrent. If you do manage to obtain coverage on your policy, be prepared for a hike in your coverage costs.

Are there benefits to adding named drivers to my policy?

Having extra drivers on your policy can be helpful to you. If you are injured in an accident, for example, the driver can make a claim on your behalf and begin the repair processes for your vehicle. If you are a new or young driver, having a more experienced individual with a clean driving history on your policy can help you build your record and reduce the cost of your premium.

Will I have to pay to cover another driver?

It is likely that you will have to pay extra costs to add someone to your coverage policy. These costs may purely be administrative or you may be required to make a larger payment, depending on who you are covering and their claims history. In short, it probably won’t be free, and the price will vary based on many factors.