Can I Add My Girlfriend or Boyfriend to my Car Insurance?

Last Updated on October 8, 2020

If you have a significant other and he or she uses your car on a regular basis or you are moving in together, you might be considering adding him or her to your auto insurance policy.

Adding your boyfriend or girlfriend to your car insurance is a serious decision that requires serious consideration. While it might be advantageous, that’s not always the case. Before you decide to add your significant other to your policy, keep on reading to find out whether or not being on the same policy is in your best interest.

Factors to Consider

Prior to contacting your auto insurance company to add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your policy, consider the following:

• How often does he/she drive your car? First and foremost, you should consider how frequently your significant other drives your vehicle. Generally, whenever someone else drives your car, your auto insurance is effective and will be responsible for covering any losses, even if the driver has his or her insurance. For example, if your boyfriend or girlfriend regularly drives your car to work or to run errands, your auto insurance provider may consider him or her a primary driver. If so, your carrier may require you to list your significant other on your policy. If he or she is not listed on your policy and is involved in a collision while operating your vehicle, your insurance company may not cover the claim.
• Do you live together? If you share a residence, then you will likely be required to add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your auto insurance policy. The reason? – In most cases, insurance companies assume that people residing at the same address have access to one another’s vehicles. In other words, if you own a car and an auto insurance policy but your girlfriend lives with you, your carrier would view her as a primary driver. As such, in order to ensure your girlfriend is properly covered whenever she drives your vehicle, she would have to be listed on your policy.
• What’s his or her driving record like? Before you add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your policy, consider his or her driving record. Insurance companies assess driving records for each individual they insure. If your significant other’s driving record reflects several at-fault accidents or moving violations, your premiums could be affected. Why? – Because in the eyes of an insurance company, anyone who has a marred record is considered a high-risk driver. For example, if your significant other has several speeding tickets, there’s a greater chance that he or she will be involved in an accident, which increases the risk that your insurance provider will have to pay out a claim. To mitigate the risk, your carrier will likely charge higher premiums.

The Benefits of Disadvantages of Adding Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend to Your Auto Insurance Policy

There are both advantages and disadvantages of adding your significant other to your car insurance policy.

Pros:

• Your boyfriend or girlfriend will have proper coverage whenever he or she is operating your vehicle
• There’s less of a chance that your insurance provider will refuse a claim if an accident occurs while your significant other is operating your car
• You may be eligible for discounts

Cons:

• Your premiums could go up, which would result in higher payments
• If there are any limitations or exclusions on your policy, your significant other may not receive the same coverage
• You may be required to add additional coverage to your policy

Should You Add Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend to Your Auto Insurance Policy?

If your boyfriend or girlfriend lives with you or you live at separate addresses but he or she drivers your car on a regular basis, it’s important to figure out if adding him or her to your policy is a wise idea.

How can you tell if you should stick to separate policies or if you should be listed on the same one? Your best bet is to contact your insurance provider. Different rules and regulations apply to different insurance companies; furthermore, the rules regarding coverage also vary from state to state. Therefore, before you decide to add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your auto insurance policy, it is in your best interest to reach out to your provider to find out if you are required to list the additional driver, and if so, how adding your other half to your policy will affect you.

Even if you aren’t legally required to list your boyfriend or girlfriend on your auto insurance policy, doing so might still be a good idea.

Adding a significant other to your car insurance policy is a serious decision and requires serious thought. Make sure you speak to your provider before moving forward.