How to Add Someone to Your Car Insurance Policy (2026)
Adding a driver to your car insurance is a quick, straightforward process, but the effect on your rate depends on who you add.
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Daria Kelly UhligHome Insurance Writer, Realtor
Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content
Contributor to Nasdaq and USA Today
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
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Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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Milestones such as your teen getting their license, a marriage, or combining households with a partner or roommate are common reasons to add someone to your car insurance. In fact, most insurance companies require you to add everyone of driving age in your household, and anyone who regularly drives your car, to your policy.
The effect that adding someone to your policy has on your insurance rates can be minimal in some cases and significant in others.
Here’s what you need to know about adding someone to your car insurance, and how it may affect your rates and policy.
Quick Facts
Household members with driver’s licenses might have to be named on your policy, even if they don’t drive your car.
Teen drivers are usually the most expensive to add, with average liability rates increasing to $302 per month.
You’ll need a driver’s name, date of birth, and driver’s license number to add them to your policy.
Named driver vs. permissive driver: What’s the difference?
A named driver is someone who is explicitly listed on your auto insurance policy. A permissive driver has permission to drive your car but isn’t listed on your insurance. Named drivers live in your household or regularly drive your car, while occasional drivers are permissive users.[1]
Insurance covers both, but coverage and limits vary by insurer and state laws, so check your policy before loaning your car.
In some states, such as Texas, you can specifically exclude drivers you don’t allow to drive your car.[2]
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Who you can (and should) add to your car insurance
A good rule of thumb is to add each member of your household who is of driving age or is a licensed driver, especially if they don’t own a car. Also, add anyone else who regularly drives your car.[3]
Here are some examples:
Spouse, domestic partner, or family member living at your address
Newly licensed or permitted teen who lives with you
Adult children, including college students, still living at home
Roommates who regularly use your car
Significant other who maintains their own home but frequently drives your car
Household employees, including caregivers, nannies, and housekeepers, whose work requires them to drive your car
Occasional borrowers, such as a friend or co-worker who uses your car now and then with your permission, are considered permissive drivers, and they don’t need to be on your policy.
In states that allow it, you might be able to specifically exclude anyone you don’t want to drive your car. Just be sure they never drive it, because your insurance won’t cover any mishaps.
How to add a driver to your car insurance policy
Adding a driver to your auto insurance policy is fairly simple. Here’s how to do it:
Gather the information and documents you’ll need. That includes their full name, birth date, driver’s license number, and how long they’ve been driving.
Contact your insurer. You can log in to your account online or via the mobile app, call, or visit an office.
If you’re adding the person yourself, navigate to your policy and the options for making changes.
Select the option for adding someone to your policy.
Follow the prompts to enter information about the driver.
Enter the date you want their coverage to begin.
Review the information you entered and your new premium amount before submitting the change.
Watch for written confirmation that your request has been processed and that the person is added to your policy.
It usually takes less than 30 minutes to add someone to a car insurance policy. How long it takes for the change to go through varies by insurer and might depend on whether or not the company needs to verify the information you submitted. Contact an agent if you have questions about the status of your policy.
What it costs to add a driver to your car insurance
How much it costs to add a driver to your car insurance depends on who the driver is, with teen drivers being the priciest to insure. They add an average of 90% to the cost of their parents’ insurance, according to Insurify’s Teen Tax report.
The reason is that, as new drivers, teens have poor track records when it comes to driving experience and crash risk, which are the rating factors insurance companies rely on most.
Here’s a look at how different categories of drivers affect your auto insurance rates.
Household  | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Single adult, clean record | $98 | $186 |
| Married couple, clean records | $192 | $365 |
| Couple + teen driver | $302 | $574 |
| Couple + senior driver | $276 | $511 |
| Driver with poor credit added | $288 | $550 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
Insurance discounts can offset the extra premium you’ll pay for your added driver. For example, teens who maintain good grades can qualify for a discount. Plus, you’ll also be able to take advantage of a multi-car discount if your teen, spouse, or partner has their own car.
Types of drivers that you can add to your car insurance
You can add the following categories of drivers to your policy.
Named driver/rated driver: A named driver affects your insurance premium. Household members old enough to drive are usually rated drivers.
List-only (non-rated) driver: A list-only driver doesn’t affect your insurance premium. Examples include a teen with a learner’s permit or a roommate who occasionally drives your car with your permission.
Excluded: Excluded drivers aren’t allowed to drive your car. Not every state recognizes exclusions, but in those that do, the insurer will deny a claim if an excluded driver was operating the car.
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Adding a teen driver to your policy
Your teen might qualify as a permissive driver when they get their permit, but you must add them as a rated driver once they receive their driver’s license.[4]
Brace yourself for a significant rate hike once your teen is a rated driver on your policy. Teens increase their parents’ premiums by an average of 90%, according to Insurify’s Teen Tax report. Jarring as that is, it’s actually 24% cheaper than getting them a policy of their own.
The reason for the price difference is that parents typically have stronger credit, which helps keep rates lower. They have more driving experience, they can more reliably pay premiums, and they qualify for more discounts.
But teens are eligible for discounts, too. For example, many insurers have good student discounts and discounts for taking a defensive driver education course. You can also save when they leave their car at home while attending college. The good news is that your rates will lessen each year your teen maintains a clean driving history.
Expert’s insight
“While adding your teen to your insurance can be expensive, it’s much cheaper than getting them their own policy. It might be worth considering enrolling them in a telematics program if they meet the eligibility requirements. Telematics programs track driving behavior, and if they’re a safe driver, save you a lot of money on your premiums. They can also encourage safer driving habits. But if your teen is prone to reckless driving behaviors, your rates could increase.”
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Brett ClendenenLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Sales Manager
Adding a spouse to your policy
Insurance companies usually require policyholders to add a spouse to their car insurance if they live together.
That can actually work in your favor when it comes to your rates. Insurance companies generally consider married people to be less risky, so your marital status alone can save you money. You can save even more by insuring multiple cars and bundling car insurance with your other policies.
An exception to this rule is a spouse with a serious violation, such as a DUI. If your state allows it, excluding your spouse might protect your rate.[5]
Adding a roommate or unmarried partner
How you add a roommate or an unmarried partner to your car insurance depends on the insurer. In general, you should contact your insurance company to find out if it treats these individuals as members of your household.
If it does, you’ll add them as an additional driver. If it doesn’t, the insurance company will consider them a permissive driver if they regularly use your car.
For example, Progressive allows unmarried couples to purchase joint policies, whether for multiple cars or for a car they share.
What happens if you don’t add a required driver?
Failure to add a driver who’s required to be named on your policy might prompt your insurer to reduce your insurance coverage or deny your claim if the driver has an accident with your car. For example, if the driver isn’t named on your policy and they total your car, your insurance won’t cover it.
You don’t need to add people who don’t live with you and who only drive your car occasionally. But members of your household usually must be named, and anyone who drives your car regularly should be as well. Contact your insurer if you need clarification about who needs to be on your policy.
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When to remove a driver from your policy
Many different situations might lead to you removing a household member from your car insurance. For example:
They’ve moved out of your household and gotten their own car.
You and your spouse have divorced.
They’ve passed away.
They’ve purchased their own policy.
They’ve permanently stopped driving.
Be ready to document your removal request. You might need to show a change of address for someone who’s moved out, for example, or your divorce decree, or a death certificate for someone who passed away. You’ll also need proof that someone has purchased their own insurance or turned in their driver’s license.
Note that removing someone from your policy doesn’t make them an excluded driver unless you specifically name them as such.
Adding drivers to your car insurance FAQs
Here’s more information to help you decide who to add to your car insurance policy.
How do you add someone to your car insurance?
Log in to your insurance account and navigate to the options for making changes to your policy. Select the option to add a driver. Fill in the driver’s information and submit the request, then watch for written confirmation that the change is in effect. You can also add a driver by phone or in person.
How much does adding a driver to your insurance cost?
That depends on the driver. A teen driver can increase your rate by 90%, Insurify data shows. An experienced driver with good credit and a clean driving record might have a negligible effect on your rate.
Do you have to add your spouse to your car insurance?
Usually, yes. But some states let you remove or exclude them in some circumstances.
When do you need to add your teen to your car insurance?
You might have to add your child to your car insurance when they get their permit, and you’ll definitely have to add them when they get their license. Your insurance company can advise you on what it, and your state, requires.
Can you add a friend or someone who doesn’t live with you to your car insurance?
No. But if they drive your car regularly, with your permission, your insurance will cover them as permissive drivers. But if your friend lives with you as your roommate, you may need to add them to your policy.
How often can someone drive your car without being added to your policy?
Insurance companies don’t have a specific cut-off. In general, if someone is driving your car multiple times per week, you should add them to your policy. If someone only drives your car a few times per month, you may not need to add them. Contact an insurance agent if you’re not sure whether someone should be named on your policy.
Can you add someone to your car insurance temporarily?
Yes. You can add someone to your policy temporarily, and then remove them once the coverage is no longer necessary.
What happens if you don’t tell your insurer about a driver in your household?
Failing to tell your car insurance company about a driver in your household can have serious consequences, including coverage reduction and claim denial.
Sources
- Nolo.com. "Does My Insurance Cover People Who Borrow My Car?."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "SUBCHAPTER A. AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE DIVISION 3. MISCELLANEOUS INTERPRETATIONS."
- Naic.org. "Modern Families Have Unique Insurance Needs."
- GEICO. "When to Add a Driver."
- Progressive. "Car Insurance Coverage for Spouses."
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Daria Kelly UhligHome Insurance Writer, Realtor
Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content
Contributor to Nasdaq and USA Today
Featured in
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
David MarlettAdvisor
25 years teaching risk management and insurance course
Former commercial lines underwriter
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology