120+ more*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 10, 2026. 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 July 10, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
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Updated
Divorce can affect every area of your finances, including car insurance. The good news is that separating a joint policy doesn’t always lead to higher costs. Unmarried drivers pay an average of $185 per month for full-coverage car insurance, while married drivers pay an average of $194, according to Insurify data.
But these averages may not reflect state-to-state differences or the challenges of insuring teen drivers in shared-custody situations. You typically need to wait until a judge finalizes your divorce before you can remove your ex-spouse from your policy. Here’s what you need to know about car insurance after a divorce.
Divorce can increase or decrease your insurance rates, depending on where you live.
You typically need to wait until a judge finalizes your divorce before making changes to your car insurance policy.
If your child drives at both parents’ homes, most insurers will require you to add them to both policies.
When you separate from a spouse, avoid making big changes to your insurance right away. In most states, including California and New York, you can’t cancel or change shared insurance without both people agreeing or a court order.[1] Before you remove an ex-spouse from your policy, talk to a family law attorney to avoid liability exposure.
You should tell your insurer as soon as possible if either of you moves to a new permanent address.[2] Most insurance companies require you to update your address, no matter what stage your divorce is in.
After a judge finalizes your divorce, separate your policies as soon as you can so you’re not responsible for each other’s claims. It’s best if both new policies start the same day the joint policy ends. Let the legal process guide you, and make sure your insurance changes match your divorce timeline.
You can add teen drivers to both parents’ insurance policies. The main policy usually depends on where your teen lives most of the time. If you share custody, you and your ex-spouse will need to add your teen to both policies. Adding a teen driver to a policy can increase costs for both families.
If each parent covers a different car for the teen, both insurance companies might require you to list the teen as a driver. Rules can differ, so check with both insurers to find out what they need. By working together, you can avoid coverage gaps or paying for unnecessary coverage.
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Follow these steps to help prevent coverage gaps and protect both drivers after a judge finalizes your divorce:
Contact your insurer. Let your insurance company know about the divorce, either by phone or online.[3]
Gather documentation. Get a copy of your divorce decree or legal separation agreement before you start making changes to your auto policy.
Submit the required documents. Some companies may ask for a divorce decree, while others may accept a signed separation agreement. Check with your insurer to find out what they need.
Confirm the removal in writing. Request a confirmation email or an updated declarations page from your insurer for your records.
Review your new rate. Compare quotes from other insurance companies before you renew. Your premium could change once your policy lists only one driver.[4]
Before removing an ex-spouse from a policy, confirm with your insurer the exact date coverage ends. Make sure your new policy is in place before that date to avoid any coverage gaps. Coordinating with your ex-spouse can make the transition smoother for both of you.
If you and your ex-spouse keep living together after a divorce, you can still keep one insurance policy. Most insurance companies require all licensed drivers living at the same address to be on one policy. But once you move to different addresses, you each need your own policy.[5]
If one of you keeps a car you owned together, make sure the insurance policy lists the correct name. The new owner needs to update both the vehicle registration and the insurance policy.
Before you buy your own policy, get quotes from several insurance companies. Aside from marital status, your location, driving record, age, and other factors affect your rate. Divorce can change your rates, so it’s a good time to compare quotes to make sure you have the right coverage.
Staying organized during a divorce can help you avoid expensive coverage gaps. Use the following checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything during and after the divorce.
Notify your insurer of any permanent address change.
Don’t remove your spouse from the policy without legal documentation and an attorney’s guidance.
Get quotes for your own policy so you can start budgeting before a judge finalizes your divorce.
Check if you can move telematics or usage-based programs from your joint policy to your new individual policy.
Remove your ex-spouse from your policy and give your insurer a copy of the divorce decree.
If you move, update your policy with your new address.
If you transferred vehicle ownership during the settlement, update the policy to reflect the new owner’s name.
Compare quotes for a new policy in your name to make sure you get the best deal.
Ask about discounts you may now qualify for as a solo policyholder, such as safe driver, telematics, defensive driving, or loyalty discounts.
Make sure to keep your coverage active, and don’t let your policy lapse during the transition.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers and find the best price for your coverage
Unmarried drivers pay less for car insurance than married drivers, according to Insurify data. On average, unmarried drivers pay $185 per month for full coverage, while married drivers pay $194 per month. That adds up to nearly $100 in savings every year.
But the averages aren’t necessarily how much you’ll pay. You still might see your rates go up after a divorce, especially if you lose multi-driver and bundling discounts. Your location also affects how much you pay for coverage.
The table below shows the average full-coverage rates for married and unmarried drivers from different insurers.
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Insurance Company | Average Monthly Rate: Married Driver | Average Monthly Rate: Non-Married Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $88 | $87 |
| Country Financial | $89 | $88 |
| USAA | $104 | $102 |
| State Farm | $107 | $105 |
| Erie | $126 | $123 |
| Safeco | $138 | $135 |
| Mile Auto | $140 | $137 |
| Allstate | $148 | $145 |
| GEICO | $148 | $145 |
| American Family | $164 | $160 |
| Direct Auto | $169 | $165 |
| Mercury | $170 | $166 |
| Elephant | $175 | $171 |
| National General | $175 | $171 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $181 | $177 |
| Root | $181 | $177 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $189 | $185 |
| Plymouth Rock | $191 | $187 |
| Travelers | $194 | $190 |
| Liberty Mutual | $209 | $205 |
| Bristol West | $210 | $206 |
| GAINSCO | $213 | $209 |
| Farmers | $214 | $210 |
| The General | $215 | $211 |
| Clearcover | $219 | $214 |
| Chubb | $227 | $222 |
| CSAA | $238 | $233 |
| Shelter | $241 | $236 |
| Anchor | $246 | $241 |
| Dairyland | $248 | $243 |
| The Hartford | $251 | $246 |
| 21st Century | $257 | $252 |
| State Auto | $295 | $289 |
| Amica | $444 | $435 |
The following steps can help you keep insurance costs low after a divorce:
Once a judge finalizes your divorce, get quotes from at least three insurance companies.
Check if you qualify for any discounts, like safe driver, defensive driving, or loyalty discounts.
If you rent an apartment after the divorce, ask about a renters insurance bundling discount.
Keep your insurance coverage active during the transition. Even a short gap can increase your rates.
If you have an older car, check whether the cost of comprehensive or collision coverage exceeds the car’s value. If it does, switching your current policy to liability-only coverage might make more sense.
Some insurers offer discounts for signing up for auto pay and paperless billing.
Divorce often brings up hard-to-answer practical insurance questions. Below, we answered some of the most common questions about car insurance after a divorce.
Yes. You can take your ex-spouse off your car insurance, but you have to wait until a judge finalizes your divorce. Most states don’t allow changes to a shared policy during the process. After the judge issues a decree, contact your insurer, give them the divorce decree, and get an updated declarations page to confirm the change.
Not always. Unmarried drivers pay an average of $185 per month for full-coverage car insurance, while married drivers pay $194, according to Insurify data. But your rates also depend on your age, location, and driving record. You may also lose bundling or other discounts when you sign up for your own policy.
Yes. You need to update your car insurance after a divorce. After a judge finalizes your divorce, contact your insurer to take your ex-spouse off the policy and change your address if you move. You also need to update the name on the policy if a vehicle changed owners during the settlement.
Both spouses are responsible for keeping the shared policy active during the divorce process. In most states, neither person can cancel or change the coverage on their own. Your divorce decree should specify who pays for the insurance during this time. If it doesn’t, consider speaking with a family law attorney.
Yes. If you have joint custody, you’ll likely need to list your teen on the auto insurance policies for both households. It’s best to call both insurance companies to confirm, though.
Comparing car insurance quotes from at least three companies is one of the best ways to get cheap car insurance after a divorce. You can also ask about safe driving, defensive driving, or loyalty discounts. If you rent, you may be able to bundle your renters and auto insurance.
Your existing joint car insurance policy remains active during legal separation. In most states, neither spouse can cancel or alter the policy without the other spouse’s consent or a court order.
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 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 500+ 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:
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Featured in
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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