What happens if I don't list my child on car insurance?

Asked by: Will Koelpin V  |  Last update: December 29, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (5 votes)

If your child gets into an accident and isn't listed on your policy, your insurance company may not cover the damages, and there could be other consequences, like policy cancellation.

What happens if I don't add my child to my auto insurance?

One of the biggest risks of not adding your teenager to your car insurance is what happens if they get into an accident. Even if it's a minor fender bender with no injuries or property damage, it can open up a can of worms with your insurer.

What happens if I don't put my 16 year old on my insurance?

``If you don't add your teen to your car insurance policy and they're in an accident, it is likely your car insurance company will deny coverage, stating you committed fraud, specifically material misrepresentation by not informing it of a permitted driver. Deliberate concealment could impact coverage''.

What happens if a driver is not listed on an insurance policy?

You regularly allow a family member or friend to drive your car, but they aren't named on your auto policy. If this person gets in an accident while driving your car, your insurance company will likely deny your claim, leaving you liable for the damages.

Do I have to add my kids to my insurance?

Generally speaking your insurance contract requires you to notify them of all licensed drivers in your household (which now includes your daughter), and also that they must be listed on the policy in some form or fashion.

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Should I put my kid on 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.

Do I have to list my son 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.

Can I exclude my son from my car insurance?

If a household member will no longer be driving your vehicle, you can exclude them from your car insurance policy in most states. There are times you might not want a licensed family member covered on your policy due to the impact their status could have on your premium.

Can my daughter drive my car if she is not on my insurance?

Allowing another licensed driver to borrow your vehicle is known as "permissive use," which means you give someone, who isn't listed on your car insurance policy, permission to operate your vehicle. If they're involved in an accident, your auto insurance may pay for the damages and injuries, up to your coverage limits.

Do all drivers need to be listed on car insurance?

Generally speaking, insurers will ask you to list all household members when applying for a car insurance policy. Young children (typically under the age of 14) should be exempt, but the other individuals in your household should be disclosed, including: Spouse. Significant other.

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.

How much will my car insurance go up when I add my 16 year old?

Insure.com found that adding a teen driver increases car insurance rates by 70% to 150%.

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.

Does everyone in household need to be on car insurance?

All household members should be known to the car insurance company, even if they are not intending to drive your vehicle. This means you need to tell the insurer all licensed drivers that are in your house, including your spouse, teen drivers, roommates, and elderly parents.

How long can a child stay on 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.

Does car insurance go down if you have a kid?

Ways New Parents Can Save Money On Car Insurance

Car insurance companies don't offer explicit savings for having kids. But you may be able to save more via your current insurance provider by pursuing other parent-friendly strategies and plans that help to lower auto insurance rates on your current insurance plan.

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.

How does insurance work if you borrow a car?

Generally, insurance coverage follows the vehicle rather than the driver. So in most instances, as long as the owner of the car has insurance, it's covered even if someone other than the owner is driving it — as long as they have the owner's permission.

Does it matter whose name is on the car?

Yes, the name on a car title can impact insurance coverage. Insurance companies usually require the policyholder to have an insurable interest in the vehicle, meaning they either own the car or have a significant financial interest in it.

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.

Should I put my adult child on my car insurance?

There is not a required age for when your child has to get their own policy. As long as they are still living with you and you have insurable interest in the vehicle they drive, there is no certain age at which you must remove them from your car insurance policy.

What states allow driver exclusion?

What States Allow Driver Exclusion?
  • Hawaii.
  • Kansas.
  • Michigan.
  • Minnesota.
  • New York.
  • North Carolina.
  • Rhode Island.
  • Vermont.

At what age does car insurance go down for females?

For both men and women, the risk of being in an accident goes way down when they turn 25. However, many insurance companies reduce premiums for female drivers slightly earlier — from the ages of 21 to 25 Then as men hit 25, their premiums come back in line with the drop that female drivers have already experienced.

Can my child be on my car insurance if they don'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.

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.