Car Insurance for Multiple Drivers: How It Works

Adding a spouse, child, or roommate to your car insurance is often cheaper than each driver having their own policy.

Aly J. Yale
Written byAly J. Yale
Aly J. Yale
Aly J. Yale
  • National Association of Real Estate Editors member

  • Bylines include Forbes, Bankrate, and CBS News

Aly is a reporter specializing in real estate, mortgages, and personal finance. You can find her work in Hearst newspapers and numerous financial publications.

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Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault
  • Experienced personal finance writer

  • Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

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Updated December 19, 2024

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*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

One car insurance policy can cover multiple drivers. A multi-driver policy is common for many families and shared households.

But having additional drivers on your policy can affect your rates. Each person’s driving record, gender and age, the vehicle they drive, how often they drive, and other factors all play a role in the price of your premium.[1]

Here’s what you need to know about adding drivers to your car insurance policy.

Quick Facts
  • Drivers on the same policy may need to live at the same address.

  • A multi-driver policy is often cheaper than multiple policies and premiums. 

  • USAA, GEICO, and State Farm offer the cheapest car insurance for multiple drivers.

How to add multiple drivers to your car insurance 

If you already have a car insurance policy and want to add another driver, you’ll need to contact your insurance agent. With some insurers, you may be able to make the change online in your customer dashboard.

To add someone, you’ll need the following personal information:

  • Name

  • Driver’s license number

  • Age they first got their license

  • Date of birth

If you’re adding that driver’s car, you’ll also need vehicle information, including its make, model, year, and vehicle identification number (VIN).

Typically, you can add a new driver to your policy at any time — as long as you share the same permanent address.

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Cheapest car insurance for multiple drivers

The cheapest car insurance companies for multiple drivers depend on your location and factors specific to you and the other drivers on your policy. But generally, USAA, GEICO, State Farm, Erie Insurance, and Allstate have the best rates.

Below are average monthly liability-only rates to insure two married drivers — one of the most common multi-driver scenarios. You may be able to save more by adding additional drivers, bundling your auto policy with homeowners or renters insurance, or choosing a deductible. 

Ask your insurance company about other discounts for safe driving, good students, and what other potential discounts you may qualify for.

Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$88
GEICO$104
State Farm$104
Erie$109
Allstate$119
Safeco$131
American Family$148
National General$150
Progressive$156
Nationwide$163
Clearcover$169
CSAA$173
Travelers$173
Liberty Mutual$186
Elephant$190
Farmers$213
The General$221
AssuranceAmerica$230
Amica$340
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Who to add to your car insurance policy

Adding someone to your car insurance policy is often a good idea if you live together — even if they only drive your vehicle occasionally or have their own car. Being on the same policy is common for people who live together who are related, married, or engaged.

Here’s a breakdown of some different people you might want to add to your policy.

Roommate

You can typically share a policy with other household members, like a roommate, as long as you park at the same address. This may qualify you for lower premiums than if you had two separate policies.

You may also want to add your roommate to your policy if they occasionally drive your vehicle — like if they borrow your car while you’re out of town. This will ensure your policy covers any damage while they’re behind the wheel.

You can add a roommate to your policy, or they can add you to their policy. In some cases, it may be cheaper to get a new policy together. Check with your insurers, and shop around to find the best rates for your situation.

Good to Know

Splitting an insurance premium carries a bit more risk than taking turns buying groceries. Your rates could go up if your housemate gets in an accident — especially if it’s serious. Consider how closely you want to be tied to a non-relative before deciding to share a policy.

Teen driver or college student

Another time you may want to add a driver to your policy is when your teen driver gets their learner’s permit or driver’s license. If they have a vehicle of their own, you’ll need to add their car to your policy, too.

Your child can typically stay on your policy when they’re away at school, like college. But their primary residence — where they spend summer and school breaks — must still be your home address.

Keep in mind that adding a young driver to your policy can send your premiums up significantly. Drivers ages 15–19 have the highest rate of accidents across all age groups.

Spouse

If you’re married (or getting married) and live at the same address, you may want to add your spouse to your policy. Some insurers might even require it.

Sharing a policy can make for easier bill payments. You only have to manage one insurance payment per month as a household, and it could save you money or qualify you for valuable discounts on your premiums.

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

Typically, you must live with someone or be related to them in order to share a car insurance policy. One exception is if your child is a college student and currently away at school. In this scenario, they’d need to still share a permanent address with you and spend their summers and school breaks in your home, but they could reside elsewhere the rest of the year.

Some insurers also let you add non-family members to your policy, like a friend who borrows your car regularly or a babysitter who uses your vehicle to drive your kids. Your policy may also cover occasional drivers if it allows for permissive use — meaning you gave your friend or neighbor permission to borrow your car. Check with your insurer about coverage options.[2]

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Best car insurance for multiple drivers

If you want to add someone to your car insurance policy, make sure you shop around to find the best rates. Each insurance company offers different coverage, premiums, and discounts. Comparing quotes can ensure you get the best policy at the best price.

See below for three of the best insurance companies for policies with multiple drivers.

State Farm: Best for parents

User Reviews
4.2
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.3 /10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$54/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$119/mo
4.2
Best choiceBased on 9,243 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (5,080)

Al

December 19, 2024

Verified Review

My Opinion

Way too high premium.

Agnes

December 19, 2024

Verified Review

Best Insurance Company

I have been with them for a long time. Claims are handled quickly. I never had a problem, even when I had three teenagers driving.

Gabriel

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

My Experience with State Farm

Beware, some companies are more interested in making money than meeting the customers' needs. My wife had a medical issue while driving, and they covered it. A year later, there was a fender bender involving two moving vehicles. To me, it was no fault, but they considered it a second incident. We also had hail damage to our roof. They said there wasn't enough damage, yet my next-door neighbors received a new one. Now, they're canceling me for too much.
See all State Farm reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.78
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

If you want to add your teen or college-aged child to your policy, State Farm is your best bet. The company offers a good student discount of up to 25% if your student gets good grades, and the company also offers discounts for drivers completing a driver’s education course or attending school away from home.

Pros
  • Low premiums

  • Several available discounts

  • Consistently rated one of the top insurers for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power

Cons
  • Low Better Business Bureau rating

  • Safe driver program not available in all 50 states

  • Gap insurance not available (only “payoff protector” if you finance your car with State Farm)

USAA: Best for military households

User Reviews
4.9
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.4 /10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$45/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$99/mo
4.9
Best choiceBased on 1,646 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (940)

Arlington

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Mediocre

It's too hard to get past all the checks and balances to verify you're a member. There are too many questions and memory items to get past their firewall. Lastly, everyone is working remotely, and you can hear the family activities in the background.

Peter

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Not Happy with USAA

They increase premium rates without notifying you well in advance. They even raise the premium for a minor fender bender, like pulling out of a driveway into an illegally parked vehicle.

Donna

December 17, 2024

Verified Review

I was in an accident which was not my fault, and my insurance increased to $118 a month. I don't drive my car much, less than 50 miles a day. Additionally, I have home insurance with USAA and my payment increased by $100. As a veteran, I find this totally wrong.

I was in an accident which was not my fault, and my insurance increased to $118 a month. I don't drive my car much, less than 50 miles a day. Additionally, I have home insurance with USAA and my payment increased by $100. As a veteran, I find this totally wrong.
See all USAA reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.35
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

USAA has the lowest premiums for married couples, according to Insurify’s analysis. But only military members, veterans, and their families qualify for coverage. The company also offers banking and a 30% discount for enrolling in its SafePilot program.

Pros
  • Low premiums

  • Several available discounts

  • Offers other financial services, like banking

Cons
  • Not all drivers qualify

  • Limited brick-and-mortar locations

  • Customer service not available on Sundays

GEICO: Best for discounts

User Reviews
4.0
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.0 /10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$54/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$118/mo
4.0
Best choiceBased on 10,464 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO

Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO

Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (5,755)

Dianna

December 19, 2024

Verified Review

Roadside Assistance

When I needed emergency services on the road, they wanted me to go online. That was not possible at the time and they were not helpful.

Alan

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Satisfied but too expensive

My experience with GEICO was good. They offer great coverage for the price and I'd recommend them to a friend. However, they are a bit more pricey but provide great services all the way around.

Samol

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Geico is Good Insurance

It's excellent, but after a few accidents, the rates are creeping upwards.
See all GEICO reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.74
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

If you’re simply on the hunt for the lowest premiums, look to GEICO, which offers more than a dozen potential discounts — some that could save you up to 25%. You’ll find discounts for safe driving, airbags or anti-lock brakes, taking a driver’s education course, getting good grades, having multiple cars on the policy, and more. You can even get a premium discount for buying a new car.

Pros
  • Low premiums

  • Many available discounts

  • Lots of customer service options

Cons
  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings

  • Gap insurance not available

  • Can be hard to find an agent unless you live in a big city

  • To choose the best car insurance companies for multiple drivers, we looked at average premiums, discount options, availability, customer service, coverage options, and other details. To learn more about each insurer we choose, see Insurify’s State Farm review, GEICO review, and USAA review.

Factors affecting premiums for multiple drivers

Car insurance premiums can vary quite a bit from one policy to the next. Some factors that could affect what you and the other drivers on your policy pay for auto insurance include:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/64a2fc54c7/good-driver.svg

    Driving record

    If one or all of you have a history of traffic violations and accidents, it could increase your costs, especially for a serious offense like a DUI.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/25057fcc72/family-96x96-orange_003-man.svg

    Age and gender

    Younger drivers and men typically pay more for insurance, as they’re more prone to accidents.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/7d6bccfe65/car-and-driving-96x96-blue_019-car.svg

    Vehicle type

    The make, model, and age of your cars also play a role. Cars that are more prone to theft, accidents, or repairs cost more to insure. Cars with certain safety devices can also qualify for premium discounts.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/c766092b3a/banking-96x96-yellow_031-credit-card.svg

    Credit history

    The credit history of you and your fellow drivers factors in, too. Higher credit scores and a better payment history can help you get lower premiums.

If you or another driver has a car accident and is primarily at fault, the policy’s premium will increase by a certain percentage. This increase will remain in place for three years following the insurance claim.[3]

Car insurance and multiple drivers FAQs

See the additional information below to learn more about sharing an insurance policy with family members or other drivers.

  • How does insurance work with multiple drivers?

    If you have multiple drivers on your policy, it means your insurer will cover all drivers in the event they get in a wreck or need to file a claim. It also may qualify you for a discount on your premium.

  • How many drivers can you put on one insurance policy?

    It depends. Some insurers allow you to insure up to four drivers on the same policy, while others may allow more.

  • Can multiple people insure one vehicle?

    Yes. You can have multiple drivers on the insurance for the same vehicle. This will ensure they’re covered if they have an accident while driving that car.

  • If you’re insuring two cars, do you have to list all the drivers?

    Insurance companies typically require you to list all the licensed drivers at your address when taking out a policy. In some cases, you may be able to exclude a driver from coverage.

  • What does adding a driver to your insurance do?

    Adding a driver to your car insurance policy ensures they’re covered if they get into an accident while driving your vehicle. If they have their own vehicle, you’ll want to add that to the policy, too (it could also qualify you for a multi-car discount).

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  2. Nolo. ""Permissive Use" Car Insurance Coverage."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
Aly J. Yale
Aly J. Yale

Aly J. Yale is a freelance writer and reporter covering real estate, mortgages, and personal finance. Her work has been published in Forbes, Business Insider, Money, CBS News, US News & World Report, and The Miami Herald. She has a bachelor’s degree in radio-TV-film and news-editorial journalism from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at TCU and is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors.

Aly has been a contributor at Insurify since September 2023.

Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault
  • Experienced personal finance writer

  • Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

Featured in

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