Can you be on someone else's car insurance if you don't live with them?
Asked by: Christelle Casper | Last update: July 21, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (9 votes)
Can I have someone on my car insurance who doesn t live with me?
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 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 I add my boyfriend to my car insurance if we don't live together?
Unmarried couples who live together should add each other to their policies or share one policy. If you don't live together, but your significant other regularly drives your car, then you should add them to your policy. Learn more about car insurance for unmarried couples.
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.
Auto Insurance Claims Process: Not-At-Fault Accident
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.
What happens if you don't update your address with car insurance?
Failing to update the garaging address when moving home. This can impact your insurance coverage as when making a claim, the coverage will be based on your previous address and could result in not being able to claim any money back from the insurer.
Can my daughter drive my car if she doesn't live with me?
Even if they don't live with you, they should be added to your policy if they regularly drive your vehicle. A driver who lives in your household and isn't listed on your auto policy may be denied coverage if they borrow your vehicle and are involved in an accident.
Does someone have to live with you to be on your insurance?
Dependents for health insurance plans typically include spouses, children, stepchildren, adopted children, and foster children. In some situations, you can add non-family members to a health insurance plan if they're a domestic partner, in a civil union, or financially dependent on the policyholder.
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.
Does your car insurance have to match your driver's license?
It's very important that you update the address on your driver's license to match your insurance policy. Some insurance companies are very strict about this and will require you to get it updated within the first 30-60 days of moving to a new address.
Can I insure my son if he doesn'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 you add a non-family member to car insurance?
Many insurers, including Progressive, allow adding a friend to a car insurance policy as a driver if you share a permanent residence. Most insurers will also allow you to share a joint car insurance policy with a friend by adding both sets of cars to the policy.
Can someone else insure a car they don't own?
You must prove you have a financial stake in the vehicle. If you can't prove why you have interest in the vehicle in which you are not on the car title, an auto insurance company will be hesitant to insure you. This is due to the risk of fraud and the questionable legality of approving filed claims.
Does my name have to be on the car insurance to drive it?
Borrowing a car from a friend or family member
In many cases, you will be covered by their insurance, even if you are not named as a regular driver on the 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.
Can you be on someone's car insurance and not live with them?
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.
Can my wife drive my car if she's not on my insurance?
Usually, yes. Your car insurance coverage should be able to extend to anyone else driving your car. Even if someone isn't listed on the policy, they can operate your vehicle. If you explicitly name someone as an excluded driver in your policy, however, none of this applies to them.
Does your car insurance and registration have to be under the same name?
Does your car insurance and registration have to be under the same name? Insuring and registering your car under different names is allowed in most states. However, in those states that allow it, insurers still might not underwrite a policy to a name different than that of the registered vehicle owner.
Can my son drive my car if he's not on the insurance?
Most insurers allow permissive use, so your child can drive your car occasionally with permission, even if they aren't on your policy. If your child lives with you and drives your car regularly, they may need to be added to your policy to ensure coverage.
What happens if someone borrows your car and gets in an accident?
Vehicle Owners Are Liable Under California Law
This law holds a vehicle's owner responsible for collisions caused by the driver of the vehicle – even if the driver is not the owner. Liability is determined by identifying the actual owner of the vehicle.
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.
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 use someone else's address for car insurance?
Using a friend or family member's address, especially if they live in a safer neighborhood, is a common tactic to reduce auto insurance premiums. However, this practice, seemingly harmless and financially savvy to some, is viewed as fraudulent by insurance companies.
Can you be on your parents' car insurance if you live in a different state?
Coverage Limitations
Moving out or purchasing your own vehicle usually necessitates getting your own insurance. Additionally, if you establish permanent residency in another state, you'll need a separate policy as auto insurance doesn't transfer across state lines.