Can You Add a Boyfriend or Girlfriend to Your Car Insurance?

You can add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your car insurance policy if you share the same address. Whether you share one car or have separate cars that you both drive, adding your significant other to your insurance policy is a simple way to ensure you both have adequate vehicle protection.

But it doesn’t always make financial sense to do so, especially if one of you has high-risk violations, or you rarely drive each other’s cars. Plus, insurance companies might charge more for the extra coverage.

If you’re considering comparing car insurance quotes to add a boyfriend or girlfriend to your policy, here’s what you should know. 

Can you add a significant other to your car insurance?

As long as you share an address, you can add your significant other to your car insurance policy. Most insurers require you to be related to the person you want to add, like a young adult child, or to share the same address, like a cohabiting boyfriend or girlfriend.

Unmarried couples can add each other to their policies, but they’ll typically qualify for a better rate if they tie the knot.^[1] The good news is that you might qualify for a multi-car discount if you and your other half insure two or more cars.

Permissive use

Most car insurance policies also include permissive use agreements, meaning that another driver — like a significant other — can use your policy when driving your car. The unlisted driver must have explicit or implied permission to drive the vehicle. The agreement isn’t part of every insurance policy, so checking with your insurer is essential.

It’s also not intended for everyday use or regular driving. It’s for short and unexpected instances, like if your significant other drives to the store for an errand or your teenage son backs the car out of the driveway to help make space for a visitor. If you need regular coverage for another driver, your policy must reflect that.

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The cost of adding a significant other to your car insurance

Car insurance rates usually increase after adding your boyfriend or girlfriend to your policy. Unless you’re married, you’ll continue to pay single coverage rates after adding your significant other to the policy.

Single coverage rates are more expensive than rates for married couples. You might qualify for a multi-car discount to offset the increase if you insure two cars. Still, it might not cover the price difference.

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for auto insurance coverage as a single driver — which includes drivers with policies that cover their significant other — compared to married drivers.

When you should add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your policy

​​Adding your significant other to your policy often makes sense in the following scenarios. Consider your finances, coverage needs, and how often you drive each other’s vehicles.

• You live together. When you live together and drive the same car, it usually makes sense to add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your car insurance.

• Your significant other drives your vehicle frequently. Permissive coverage is for unexpected and infrequent use. If your significant other regularly drives your car, you may need to add them to your policy.

• You each own a vehicle. If you each own a vehicle and regularly share cars, adding each other as listed drivers on both policies makes sense to ensure adequate coverage.

• Your significant other doesn’t have car insurance. If your significant other regularly drives your car and doesn’t have a separate policy, you can add them to yours.

When you shouldn’t add a significant other to your policy

You don’t always need to add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your auto insurance policy. In some cases, it’s better for your finances if you don’t. You might want to skip sharing coverage in the following situations:

• Your significant other has moving violations. Speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and driving under the influence can drastically increase the cost of car insurance.

• Your partner hasn’t been driving very long. Insurers consider experience when determining your rate. If your boyfriend or girlfriend recently got their license, adding them to your coverage might increase the cost substantially.

• They don’t borrow your vehicle often. Your policy’s permissive use agreement might be enough if you and your partner don’t regularly share cars.

• Your partner (or you) have poor credit. In most states, your credit history is one of the factors that determine your car insurance premiums. You might save more money by carrying separate policies if one of you has poor credit.

• One of you has a high-value vehicle. It typically costs more to insure expensive cars. Because of that, it might not be cost-effective to add another driver to the policy.

How to add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your car insurance

Adding your significant other to your car insurance is a straightforward process. Once you’re ready to make the change, complete these steps:

1. Determine how you want to change your policy. Depending on the situation, you might want to add your significant other as a listed driver for occasional use, add them to an existing policy, or purchase a new joint policy. Consider your car usage, driving history, and finances to determine the best option.

2. Contact your car insurance company. Contact your car insurance company to make the changes or ask an insurance agent about a new policy.

3. Provide information about the new driver. You typically need to provide your partner’s full name, date of birth, driving history, and driver’s license number.

Pros and cons of adding a boyfriend or girlfriend to your policy

Adding your boyfriend or girlfriend to your policy has benefits and drawbacks. It often increases your car insurance costs, but it also might provide you with more thorough coverage, which can help you save money if there’s an accident. Here’s what to consider.

How to save on car insurance with more than one driver

Once you add another driver to your car insurance policy, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to save money. Review your policy options, ask about discounts, and compare quotes. Here are some of the best ways to save with more than one driver on a policy.

• Multi-driver policies: You might qualify for a discount once you add your significant other to your policy. Companies often provide discounts to encourage additional business. But it may not offset the cost increase.

• Multi-vehicle policies: If you and your boyfriend or girlfriend have separate cars and insure both vehicles with the same company, you can often get a discount.

• Bundling discounts: Consider if you can get different types of insurance policies from the same insurer. For example, bundling auto insurance with home insurance, renters insurance, or business insurance can help you save money.

• Telematics programs: Insurance companies have optional programs that track your driving habits. If you drive safely, you can earn discounts.

• Maximized discounts: It’s a good idea to ask about different discounts, including ones for military affiliation, long-term loyalty, and being a good student.

• Comparison shopping: Gather quotes from multiple insurers to compare pricing. Comparison shopping is one of the most effective ways to get a good deal.^[2]

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