Does it cost more to add a driver to your insurance?

Asked by: Drake Cruickshank  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (5 votes)

Typically, adding drivers to your policy can increase your premium. For example, there is a reason adding a teenage or newly licensed driver to an auto policy can result in an increase in insurance premiums.

Does adding someone to car insurance increase the price?

Yes, adding a named driver to your policy would affect your insurance premium to account for the named driver insurance risk factor. Additionally, if the named driver gets into an accident, for instance, the claim would go under your shared vehicle policy, impacting your overall premium.

Does it cost money to add a name to an insurance policy?

In some cases, adding a driver to your policy can affect your premium, but not always. Many factors determine the cost of adding a driver, like driver relationship, age, driving history, past claims, and driving records.

Is it better to add more drivers on your policy?

Adding a driver to your insurance policy ensures the car insurance company pays for any accidents or claims other people driving your vehicle are involved with. Adding a new driver to your car insurance is a simple process but an important one for your financial protection.

How much does it cost to add a driver to 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.

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23 related questions found

Can my husband drive my car if he is 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.

Why did my insurance go up when I added a driver?

Whether it goes up or not can depend on various factors, such as the new driver's age, driving history, and other individual risk factors. For instance, adding a young or inexperienced driver might result in higher premiums due to the increased risk associated.

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.

Is it cheaper to add an additional driver?

Adding a named driver is a great way of reducing your premiums if you are a younger driver without much experience on the road. It essentially lets the insurer know that you will not be the only driver using the car and so a more experienced, typically older, additional driver can serve as a reassurance to providers.

What happens if my girlfriend is driving my car and gets in an accident?

When it comes to insurance coverage, policies in California typically follow the vehicle, meaning that your policy would cover damages even if someone else was driving your car. However, there are exceptions to this coverage, which we will discuss in the following subsections.

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 someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Geico?

Some states require the car owner's insurance to cover any accidental damage, so if they're not insured or don't have the right coverage, as the driver you may end up being liable.

Does it cost money to put someone on your insurance?

The cost of adding a driver to your car insurance or sharing a policy varies based on factors like the driver's age and their motor vehicle record. For example, many insurance companies offer a discount if you have a teen driver or a good student listed on your policy.

How does it work when you add someone to your car insurance?

Adding a driver to your policy means they're covered under your policy when they drive your car. If they get into an accident, your insurer is more likely to cover the damage. Sharing a car insurance policy, on the other hand, typically means both of your vehicles are covered under one policy.

Do all household members need to be on car insurance Progressive?

Many insurers, including Progressive, require you to add a spouse to your car insurance policy if you're both living in the same household (unless your state gives you the option to exclude your spouse). Adding your spouse to your policy ensures that you're both covered in the event of an accident.

How much does adding a new driver to insurance cost?

By state, those in California experience the highest average percentage increase. Adding a 21-year-old driver boosts the cost of insurance by an average of 191.4%, from $2,062 to $6,009, or $3,947. It's followed by North Carolina (154.8%) and New Jersey (144.1%).

What is the difference between named insured and additional driver?

A named insured is entitled to 100% of the benefits and coverage provided by the policy. An additional insured is someone who is not the owner of the policy but who, under certain circumstances, may be entitled to some of the benefits and a certain amount of coverage under the policy.

Should I add my son to my car insurance?

Adding a child to your car insurance is required in most cases. If your child has a driver's license, lives in your household and drives a car that is registered to your home, they will need to be added to your car insurance policy.

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 to add a new driver to insurance?

Adding a driver to car insurance

The best time to talk to your insurance provider is before your new driver gets his or her permit. That's also a good time to find out what it will cost to add a teen to your policy.

Can my son drive my car if he doesn't live with me?

If your son doesn't live with you but needs to borrow your car, he can do so with your permission. It is known as permissive use, which means that when someone who doesn't live with you gets permission to borrow your car, they are also “borrowing” your auto insurance coverage.

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

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. 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.

Who normally has the cheapest car insurance?

Geico, Nationwide and Travelers are among the least expensive for car insurance. Americans are paying a lot for car insurance these days: Average annual rates for a full coverage policy are up to $2,638 per year, while minimum coverage averages $767 per year.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

How credit-based insurance scores work. Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.