Can I stay on my parents car insurance after 18?

Asked by: Glenna Hirthe  |  Last update: January 9, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (73 votes)

Age Considerations You can typically stay on your parents' car insurance policy until age 24 if you're a full-time college student. For males, standard adult rates may not apply until age 25, while females often receive adult rates at 21.

Can you be on your parents car insurance after 18?

The good news is that there is no age limit that will require you to get your own car insurance. As long as you live in your parents' home and drive a vehicle that is titled and registered in their name, you are able to stay on their car insurance. What happens when you go away to college?

Do I get kicked off my parents' car insurance the day I turn 26?

Absolutely. The law requires insurers to ALLOW children to remain on the parent's insurance until 26. However, the parent can remove them before 26.

How long can you stay on your parents insurance after you turn 18?

Once you're on a parent's job-based plan, in most cases you can stay on it until you turn 26. Generally, you can join a parent's plan and stay on until you turn 26 even if you: Get married. Have or adopt a child.

Can I stay on my parents' auto insurance if I move out?

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.

When do you have to come off your parents insurance

26 related questions found

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

Yes, you are eligible to be covered on your parent's plan up to age 26 regardless of where you live. However, your parent's health plan probably has a network of participating providers and it may be difficult for you to find in-network care when you are living in another state.

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.

Do I lose my parents' insurance on my 26th birthday?

You can stay on your parent's plan until coverage ends December 31, even if you turn 26 mid-year. But be sure to apply for your own Marketplace plan for next year during Open Enrollment (November 1 – January 15 each year). Act by December 15 for coverage to start January 1.

Does insurance go down when child turns 18?

Will my rate drop when my teen turns 18 or 21? At Progressive, rates drop by an average of 8% when a driver turns 19 and another 6% at 21. As your teenager becomes more experienced and avoids tickets and accidents, the price for teen auto insurance should keep decreasing.

Can my parents take me off their insurance before 26?

Health insurance coverage for kids under 26

Per federal law, you can remain on your parents' health insurance until your 26th birthday in most states. There are no restrictions before then, so you're eligible for coverage under your parents' plan even if you're: Married. Not in school.

Can parents kick you off insurance at 18?

The Affordable Care Act requires plans and issuers that offer coverage to children on their parents' plan to make the coverage available until the adult child reaches the age of 26.

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.

Do you have to live at the same address for car insurance?

If you and your friend don't currently share an address, then they won't be able to be on your car insurance policy — even if they're planning to move in at a later date. However, as soon as they move in and their permanent address is the same as yours, you can update your policy to add your friend.

Should I add my 18 year old son to my car insurance?

When to add your child to your car insurance. Generally, you should add your teen or young adult child to your policy as soon as they get their driver's license. To be safe, though, you may want to contact your insurance provider before your child starts driving.

How long can an adult child stay on car insurance?

How long can I stay on my parents' car insurance? There is no age limit that prevents you from staying on your parents' car insurance policy as a listed driver, as long as you live at home or if you're a full-time college student. That means you're still covered when you drive your parents' vehicles.

How does car insurance work for 18 year olds?

An 18-year-old can buy their own car insurance policy. However, you should share a policy with your parents if possible. It's usually much cheaper than having your own separate policy. Parents typically see their rates go up when they add a teen driver to their policy.

Why is insurance so high for 18 year olds?

Generally, an 18-year-old driver pays less for auto insurance than a 16-year-old driver. However, if you're newly licensed at 18, you'll have two years fewer driving experience than your peers who got their licenses at 16. As a result, companies will charge you slightly higher rates to insure your vehicle.

What age do your parents stop paying for your insurance?

You lose your parents' health insurance in California when you turn 26. If you've aged off your parents' health plan, you may wonder what options you have.

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

Once the driver gets their license, the surcharge transfers over to them. So, while you don't need to make any changes to your insurance when your child gets a permit, you may still want to let your agent know so you can make sure you have adequate coverage.

When can you no longer be on your parents' insurance?

The Affordable Care Act requires plans and issuers that offer dependent child coverage to make the coverage available until a child reaches the age of 26. Both married and unmarried children qualify for this coverage. This rule applies to all plans in the individual market and to all employer plans.

Can I stay on my parents' insurance if I have a full-time job?

Can I stay on my parent's policy? If you are under age 26, yes. Eligibility for health benefits through your own job does not make you ineligible to be covered as a dependent on your parent's policy up to the age of 26.

Does turning 26 count as a life event for insurance?

Turning 26 is a milestone birthday when it comes to health insurance because you're no longer eligible to stay on your parents' health plan. However, turning 26 is considered a qualifying life event—which makes you eligible (qualifies you) to buy health insurance during a special enrollment period.

Do my parents have to put me on their car insurance?

To have the ability to be covered by a vehicle insurance policy you must be added as an additional driver to the vehicle owners policy.

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

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.