Road trips are a lot more fun when you have your boyfriend or girlfriend for company. And with fall in full swing, there’s no better time than now to embark on a long journey. If you have a significant other who drives your car, you may be wondering if you should add them to your car insurance coverage.
The answer depends on several factors. Here, we take a look at how and when it might be beneficial to add your girlfriend or boyfriend to your insurance policy. Let’s get started.
Adding your girlfriend or boyfriend to your car insurance policy will affect your premiums, but you may not see an increase. You might even save money at times.
Things to Consider Before Adding Your Domestic Partner to Your Car Insurance
Before adding your partner to your car insurance policy, consider the following:
Do you share a home?
If you and your domestic partner share an address, your insurance carrier may ask you to add them to your car insurance policy. Your auto insurance provider expects you to include everyone who lives at the same address and can drive your car – even if they don’t drive it regularly.
If you do not list your boyfriend or girlfriend, he or she will not be insured when driving your car. For example, if your domestic partner borrows your car to run an errand regularly and meets with an accident, they will not be covered under your car insurance policy.
How often does your partner drive your car?
Even if you and your girlfriend or boyfriend do not live together, you should consider adding them to your car insurance policy. In most cases, when you lend your car to someone, you are also lending that person your car insurance. A friend who occasionally drives your car, for example, is insured by your car insurance.
If your boyfriend or girlfriend frequently drives your car, it is a good idea to add him or her to your insurance coverage. If your significant other drives regularly, insurance companies could consider them as the primary driver. In such scenarios, the insurance company may refuse to pay a claim if there is an accident.
Is your boyfriend or girlfriend a reliable driver?
It’s not a good idea to add your domestic partner to your car insurance policy if they have a bad driving record. If your girlfriend or boyfriend has a history of at-fault accidents or DUIs, your insurance company may classify him or her as a high-risk driver, raising your insurance rates.
Pros and Cons of Adding Your Domestic Partner to Your Car Insurance
Adding your domestic partner to your auto insurance policy isn’t always a good idea. But the advantages of doing so include:
- Your significant other will be insured by car insurance anytime they drive your vehicle.
- Your insurance provider is less likely to reject a claim made while your significant other was driving.
- You may be eligible for discounts (couples in domestic partnerships may get cheaper car insurance)
- If you insure multiple vehicles, you may be eligible for bundling discounts.
The disadvantages of adding your boyfriend or girlfriend to your car insurance include:
- If your significant other has a poor driving record or poor credit, you can certainly expect your premiums to rise.
- If your partner has a poor driving record, you may be forced to list them as an excluded driver on your insurance policy. It will help you avoid higher rates. And that means they will be unable to drive your car legally.
Should You Include Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend on Your Car Insurance Policy?
Has your boyfriend or girlfriend moved in with you? Your insurance company may request that you add them to your insurance policy. Does your girlfriend drive your car regularly enough to be called a primary driver? Your insurance carrier may reject any insurance claims made while you were behind the wheel. If you and your domestic partner live apart, though, it is totally up to you. To avoid this issue, consider including your significant other on your insurance policy.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
