Is double insurance allowed?

Asked by: Destiney Block  |  Last update: December 23, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (36 votes)

Most individuals only have one health insurance plan, known as “primary” insurance. However, some people also secure additional medical coverage or a “secondary” insurance plan. Having dual coverage is perfectly legal.

Is it OK to have 2 insurance policies?

Yes, you can have two health insurance plans and it is perfectly legal, but it is also important to fully understand how primary vs secondary insurance operates.

Is double coverage illegal?

The short answer to that question is yes, you can have two health insurance plans. In fact, it's becoming increasingly common for individuals to have more than one health insurance plan.

Is it illegal to have double car insurance?

Although no laws prohibit you from purchasing two auto policies from two different companies, an insurer will not allow you to purchase two policies on the same car. If you have an auto accident, filing two claims with two different insurance providers constitutes insurance fraud even with two auto policies.

What happens when there is dual insurance?

Dual insurance, or double insurance, occurs when an assured is insured against the same risk with two independent insurers. The insured may claim indemnity from either insurer, but must not recover more than the loss suffered. Tied in with the principle of dual insurance is the doctrine of privity of contract.

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What are the disadvantages of dual insurance?

Cons and Considerations:
  • Complex Management: Involves more paperwork, potential claim delays, and higher premiums.
  • Coordination of Benefits: Primary insurance pays first, and secondary covers remaining eligible costs, requiring thorough understanding and communication.

Can I get a refund if I was double insured?

Can I get a refund if I was double insured? If you have double insurance coverage for the same person and vehicle, you might qualify for a prorated refund. Decide which insurance you're keeping, tell the other company you were double insured, and ask for your premiums back.

Why should you avoid duplicate coverage?

While this might seem advantageous, duplicate coverage can lead to unnecessary costs, confusion during claims processing, and possible denials if providers deem the coverage redundant.

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 I file a claim with two insurance companies?

On the other hand, there are times when trying to file multiple claims on the same accident would be considered “double dipping” or insurance fraud – and this is illegal. You cannot file redundant claims with more than one insurance company in an attempt to get paid twice for the same damages.

What is a double insurance example?

Example of double insurance

Person A has double insurance. She has two supplementary hospital insurance plans with two different health insurers that cover the same risk, plus two accident insurance plans.

How does primary and secondary insurance work?

Primary insurance pays first for your medical bills. Secondary insurance pays after your primary insurance. Usually, secondary insurance pays some or all of the costs left after the primary insurer has paid (e.g., deductibles, copayments, coinsurances).

What does co-insurance mean?

Coinsurance is a portion of the medical cost you pay after your deductible has been met. Coinsurance is a way of saying that you and your insurance carrier each pay a share of eligible costs that add up to 100 percent. The higher your coinsurance percentage, the higher your share of the cost is.

What happens if you have overlapping insurance policies?

When you have car insurance overlap, the most obvious problem you will encounter would be this. You must pay for two insurance policies when one would do to cover any potential loss or damage to your car. Even if you wish to terminate an existing insurance coverage, you can only obtain a pro-rata return.

What is an insurance coverage limit?

Your policy's coverage limits are the maximum amount your insurer may pay out for covered claims. If you file a claim with your insurer or have a claim filed against your insurance, and the costs exceed your coverage limit, then you may be responsible for any remaining expenses that aren't covered by your insurance.

Is it better to have one insurance or two?

Multiple plans can offset more costs, increasing your savings when receiving healthcare. For example, your primary insurance might only cover 80% of a specific procedure. If your secondary insurance covers the rest, you bear no cost.

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.

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

In some cases, adding an older driver with a clean driving record could actually reduce your premium, especially if you're a driver under 25 or someone with infractions on their license.

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.

Is it OK to have double insurance coverage?

Having dual coverage is perfectly legal. But you must coordinate your two policies correctly to ensure you cover your medical expenses compliantly. If you're new to dual insurance, you've come to the right place!

Can a car be double insured?

Is It Legal to Have Two Auto Insurance Policies? It's perfectly legal to have two auto insurance policies on one vehicle. Nonetheless, your insurance company may not be willing to insure the same vehicle twice. You may have to buy a second policy from another insurer and pay both bills.

Can you double insure something?

Double insurance (also known as overlapping insurance) is when an individual insures the same risk with two or more insurance companies. In other words, a single entity holds multiple insurance policies covering the same asset, liability, or event. This can occur either intentionally or accidentally.

Can you sue an additional insured?

The cross-party exclusion is common, but many do not focus on it or understand its implications. This exclusion prohibits an insured party from suing another insured party under the same policy.

Is there a penalty for cancelling car insurance?

At the same time, you might also be subject to a cancellation fee. Many companies don't charge such penalties, but with those that do, you can expect to pay a flat fee of under $100 or around 10% to 15% of the remaining policy premium.

What is double insurance?

Double insurance refers to the method of getting insurance of same subject matter with more than one insurer or with same insurer under different policies. This means that one can get insurance policies on a subject matter more than its value. Double insurance is possible in all types of insurance contracts.