Adding a Driver to Insurance: What to Know and How to Do It

You can add a driver to your car insurance policy at any time, whether they’re: 

• A friend
• A family member
• A child
• A college student
• A caregiver
• A roommate
• Your spouse

You can even add someone to your car insurance policy if they don’t live with you. Some insurance companies require you to list drivers of eligible age who live at your address. You can also include excluded drivers on your car insurance policy, limiting who is covered by the policy should you need to make a claim. 

Adding someone to your car insurance policy can be helpful for car leasing with insurance. Insurance coverage on your leased car for a friend or significant other means you’re covered should an accident happen, no matter who was driving. Car insurance coverage is one of the documents you need to lease a car, but you can easily add your spouse, friend, or caregiver to your policy after the fact. 

Typically, car insurance policies cover the car. However, you can extend your car insurance coverage to “permissive users” or drivers with explicit permission to drive the vehicle temporarily. Defining temporary can be difficult in most cases, but it’s often used to denote drivers who don’t usually drive the car. 

Adding a driver to your car insurance policy can have several different effects on your policy premiums. It’s always a good idea to discuss adding someone to your policy before you do so. Be sure to tell the driver you added that your policy covers them. They may also share characteristics that could make you eligible for discounts on your premium. 

If someone drives your car frequently, adding them to your insurance policy is a good idea. However, most insurance companies will limit how many drivers you can add to your policy. If you’re unsure about adding a driver to your policy, speak with your insurance representative. They can help clear up any confusion you have. 

Adding someone to your car insurance policy for one day isn’t typically common practice, nor is insurance for a weekend car. Most of the time, single-day use falls under the permissive drivers clause. However, each car insurance company will have its own policy specifics, so chatting with your local representative beforehand can give you the most accurate guidance on what to do in this scenario. 

Here are a few reasons why you should add someone to your car insurance policy: 

• They live at the same address
• They have regular access to and use your vehicle frequently 
• They drive your vehicle for more than 30 days annually
• They are a newly licensed driver (i.e., your child)
• They are your spouse
• They are your caregiver, friend, or family member that drives you  

If you want to pause your car insurance if you’re not driving but your caregiver is instead, it may make more sense for them to add your vehicle to their existing policy. Adding them to your policy can also help them earn a multi-car discount if they aren’t already eligible.  

What happens if you don’t add a driver to your insurance?

When you don’t add a driver to your car insurance policy, and they get into an accident, the insurance company may refuse to pay out. The insurance may refuse to pay for your vehicle, which may have been totaled in the accident. Without coverage, you could be out of a car, of any fees you’re responsible for, and potentially out of a friendship. 

Suppose you avoid adding a driver to your insurance policy because they have a poor driving record or any other characteristics that would otherwise increase your premium. In that case, you expose yourself to these risks as well. A good rule of thumb is to let only the people you trust drive your vehicle, especially if you choose not to add them to your insurance policy. Saving a few bucks a month isn’t worth paying thousands of dollars in case of an accident. 

Adding a driver to your car insurance policy is typically free, though some companies charge $30 to $50. However, the cost of adding someone to your insurance policy typically comes in the form of discounts or additional costs their presence may trigger. For example, your policy may actually be lower if: 

• You’re now eligible for a multi-car discount
• The new driver is a student or member of the military
• You add your spouse 
• The new driver has a superb driving record 

On the other hand, adding someone else to your policy can mean your car racks up more miles annually. More time on the road increases your chances of an accident. In addition, your rates may increase due to:

• Lack of driving history
• Insurance claims history 
• Lack of previous insurance coverage 
• Age and experience

If you want to add a driver to your leased insurance policy, you already know that insurance on a leased car is more expensive. However, you can take the opportunity of adding another driver as a way to cash in on discounts you wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for. It’s all about maximizing what’s available to you to make the most of your circumstances. 

Rather than playing the guessing game, you could pay less for car insurance if you subscribe to FINN. Each FINN car subscription comes with a free second driver you can add to your subscription, so you can both enjoy the benefits. FINN also charges a single monthly fee for insurance, registration, depreciation, and maintenance. This bundling can simplify your monthly car-related costs and play nicely with your budget. 

Adding someone to your car insurance policy only takes a few minutes. Here are the basic steps in adding someone to your car insurance policy. 

1. Have a discussion with the driver

Whether you initiate the discussion or the driver does, talk about why the driver should be on the policy and what pros and cons this may offer. You can include your local car insurance representative in this discussion. They can advise you on whether adding that particular driver is a good decision or not. 

2. Gather the necessary documentation and information 

Once you’ve agreed to add a new driver, it’s time to submit the information to your insurance company. Gather this information from the driver or have them contact the insurance office to provide it themselves: 

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Occupation
• Driver’s license number, issuing state, and expiration date 
• Social Security number (SSN)
• Insurance claims history (including who was determined to be at fault)

Various car insurance companies will offer discounts for being a student, participating in and passing a defensive driving course, active military members, etc. Be sure to mention any of these if they apply to you or inquire about any additional discounts you may qualify for. 

3. Call your insurance representative or go online

Adding someone to your car insurance policy is a click or call away. You can also log into your account online to add a driver to your policy. The online system will walk you through what information you need from the driver. In addition, you can call your representative to add the driver to the policy manually. This time can often be an excellent opportunity to discuss what discounts or incentives your policy may qualify for with the additional driver.  

4. Obtain updated policy documents 

Print and share any updated policy documents with the driver you added to your policy. They will need these documents for reference should an accident occur. Upon renewal of your insurance policy (typically every six or 12 months), update the driver with any new coverage documents.