Can I have someone on my car insurance that doesn't live with me?

Asked by: Jovan Thompson  |  Last update: June 25, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (39 votes)

You typically will not be able to add a non-related driver who does not live in your home to your insurance policy. If you and a friend own a vehicle together but do not live at the same address, you may have trouble obtaining an auto insurance policy.

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

If they satisfy certain requirements, some insurers will let you add domestic partners and significant others who don't live with you to your insurance. You can occasionally add friends who don't live with you, but in the end, it all comes down to the terms and conditions of the insurer's policy.

Can someone at a different address be on my car insurance?

Legally the only address you can use is where your car is your primary address and often that's your home address. Using someone else's address is considered insurance fraud. Insurers can deny your claims and cancel your insurance if you make a claim and they find out that you weren't truthful about your address.

Can my child be on my car insurance if they don't live with me?

Unfortunately, because the car and your child are not located at your house anymore, they cannot stay on your car insurance policy unless they're a full-time student. Car insurance providers require that the insured live at their residence and park their car at their address to be listed on a policy.

Can my parents insure my car if I don't live with them?

All drivers that share the same permanent residence should be listed on each policy. If you're married and don't live with your parents, you'll need your own policy.

Can Someone Who Is Not On My Insurance Drive My Car?

18 related questions found

Can I stay on my parents insurance if I don t live with them?

You can stay on a parent's plan until you turn 26

Have or adopt a child. Start or leave school. Live in or out of your parent's home.

Can I drive my parents car if my name isn t on the insurance?

Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.

Can someone be on your insurance if they don't live with you?

Yes, it is possible to add someone to your car insurance policy who doesn't live with you, depending on your insurance company's policies. Typically, insurance companies allow you to add immediate family members or someone who regularly drives your vehicle.

What happens if I don't add my teenager to my car insurance?

Failing to add your teenager to your auto insurance can lead to coverage denial, legal penalties and policy cancellation. Lack of driving experience and perceived higher risk contribute to higher car premiums for teen drivers.

Can you insure a child that doesn't live with you?

You can keep your biological, step, adopted, or foster children on your health insurance, even if they aren't dependent on you, until they turn 26. You can include siblings on your plan if you can claim them as tax dependents with the IRS.

Can I have a different address on my license and insurance?

First of all, your insurance policy and your driver's license (as well as your vehicle registration) should use the same address. Depending on which insurance company you have, that will determine how quickly you should get this taken care of, but generally it's around 30-60 days.

Can you insure a car that is not at your residence?

If you're homeless and in need of car insurance, keep your vehicle at a friend's house and use that address for your quote. It's critical that you park the vehicle at this location when it's not in use.

Can my insurance go up if someone uses my address?

Letting Someone Else Use Your Address for Auto Insurance

If your insurance company discovers this, they might add that person to your auto policy, potentially increasing your rates. In such cases, you might be required to prove that the person does not live with you.

Can you be on the same car insurance if not living together?

You typically will not be able to add a non-related driver who does not live in your home to your insurance policy. If you and a friend own a vehicle together but do not live at the same address, you may have trouble obtaining an auto insurance policy.

Does everyone in household need to be on car insurance?

Family members who live in your household and drive your vehicle, including a teenager or your significant other, should be listed as drivers on your policy. Also make sure to add your roommate to your policy, if they use your vehicle regularly.

Can I add someone temporarily on my car insurance?

Additional driver insurance

If your named driver only uses the car occasionally or you just want to add them so a set period of time, temporary cover is the ideal option. Temporary policies are available from 1-12 hours or daily from 1-28 days.

Should I add my adult child to my car insurance?

Insurance companies generally require that any person in the household be listed on your policy regardless of driving status. The reason is that the company wants to know who they will and will not cover as a driver if there is a claim involving your vehicle.

Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?

Yes, your son can drive your car with your permission, even if he is not insured. It is known as “permissive use” and is generally allowed by insurance companies. Check your auto insurance policy to see if it allows for occasional or permissive use by family members.

Does your insurance go up if your child gets their license?

Once your child gets a license, you have 60 days by law to inform your insurance carrier. In most cases, because an insurance carrier will see a new driver as a greater risk, your insurance premium will increase, sometimes significantly (up to 60% for a two-car family).

Can I insure my daughter's car if she doesn't live with me?

Providers usually don't allow you to add a non-related driver to your policy who doesn't live with you. Typically, car insurance covers the vehicle's owner and family members in the same household.

Can you be on your parents car insurance without living with them?

Depending on your insurer, you can remain listed as a driver on your parents' policy as long as their home is your permanent address or you're a full-time student. Once you've permanently moved out, you'll likely need to obtain your own car insurance policy.

How much does it cost to add someone to your car insurance?

Most car insurance companies won't charge a fee to add more drivers to your policy, but each driver that you add to your policy impacts your policy price.

Does it matter whose name is on the car insurance card?

In most states, police will accept an auto insurance card that lists the car you're driving on it, and it doesn't matter if your name is specifically on the card (some states even accept electronic proof of auto insurance); however, Texas is different.

When should you take your child off your car insurance?

Many parents generally opt to retain teens on the family's automobile insurance policy until they graduate from college, assuming they find employment and live away from home. At this point they should be paying for their own housing, food and credit card bills, building up a positive credit rating.

How does insurance work when you borrow someone's car?

Generally, insurance coverage follows the vehicle rather than the driver. So in most instances, as long as the owner of the car has insurance, it's covered even if someone other than the owner is driving it — as long as they have the owner's permission.