How long can kids stay on parents' car insurance?

Asked by: Mr. Graham Mante DDS  |  Last update: September 19, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (7 votes)

Unlike health insurance, which can have an age limit of 26, you can stay on your parent's car insurance policy indefinitely if you live in the same house. Now, if you move out, you'll probably need your own.

Can I be on my parents' car insurance if I don't live with them?

Only if you live with them. Insurers typically require all licensed drivers who live at the same address to be listed on a policy, especially if they frequently borrow each other's cars.

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.

At what age do you get kicked off your parents' 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.

Can I insure my daughter's car if she 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.

How Long Can You Stay on Your Parents' Insurance?

26 related questions found

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.

Should I put my adult child on 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. The reason comes down to risk.

How long can kids be on parents' car insurance?

But how long can you stay on your parent's policy? Unlike health insurance, which can have an age limit of 26, you can stay on your parent's car insurance policy indefinitely if you live in the same house. Now, if you move out, you'll probably need your own.

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.

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.

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 I remove my adult child from my car insurance?

You can remove a listed driver from your car insurance policy if they no longer live with you and no longer drive your vehicle. If you have a child away at college or who moves out temporarily, it's a good idea to keep them on your policy. Doing so ensures that they can drive your vehicle during breaks.

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 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 remove my son from my car insurance when he goes to college Progressive?

Your child must get their own policy under their new permanent address. If they don't drive your cars anymore, you can remove them from your policy and likely lower your premium.

Does insurance go up if you add a driver?

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.

Can my daughter stay on my car insurance if she moves 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.

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 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.

At what age does a child come off 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.

How long can I use my parents' address as my permanent address?

Your parents' home where you can return to at any time still remains your permanent home address. This is even if you've lived away from this address for the past four or five years.

When should I add my child to my car insurance?

In most cases, you will need to add your teen to your auto policy when they receive their driver's license. If they receive a learner's permit first, this might also be the time to do so. Most states require all licensed drivers to carry insurance. So, once your teen gets an ID, add them to coverage.

Is it cheaper to be on your parents car insurance or your own?

Staying on your parents' car insurance policy has significant financial advantages. It's typically more cost-effective, especially for drivers under 25. You can benefit from lower rates due to your parents' extensive driving record and potential discounts.

Can I stay on my parents' car insurance if the car is in my name?

Maybe you're wondering, "Can I be on my parents' insurance if the car is in my name?" It depends on the situation, but you can usually remain on their policy if they're a co-owner and you live with them. Otherwise, expect your own policy to cost around $200/month, with rates increasing by 50% for young drivers.

Should I put my 18 year old's car in my name?

Register the car in your child's name.

If your son or daughter is legally an adult (18 years or older), he or she is able to register a car in his or her own name. Without you as the owner of the car, the laws imposing vicarious liability (such as New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 388) will not apply to you.