What happens if you are excluded from insurance?

Asked by: Catalina Oberbrunner  |  Last update: April 6, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (49 votes)

An excluded driver is someone from your household you ask your insurance company not to insure. If they get behind the wheel, your insurance company likely won't cover any losses, and you could be on the hook for damages.

What does being excluded from insurance mean?

Excluded drivers are not covered by an auto insurance policy, even if they have permission to use the vehicle. If an excluded driver causes an accident, the accident is treated as if the driver had no insurance at all.

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 to remove excluded drivers from insurance?

How do I remove someone from my car insurance policy? Depending on the company, you may be able to remove someone from your car insurance policy online or through an app. Some insurers may require you to contact a representative to remove a driver, and provide proof that the driver no longer lives with you.

Do excluded drivers increase insurance rates?

For example, if a driver has multiple accidents or violations on their motor vehicle report that negatively impact the cost of your insurance, excluding them from your policy could lower your car insurance rate. However, some states prohibit excluding anyone in your household who is of driving age.

Auto Insurance Claims Process: Not-At-Fault Accident

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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.

What happens if someone who isn't on your insurance crashes your car Progressive?

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.

What is the difference between excluded driver and removed driver?

Excluding a driver means the person still lives in your house, but they are specifically not covered if they drive the car. The insurance company knows about this person and has agreed not to cover them. Removing a driver means the person doesn't live in your house anymore and is completely off the policy.

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.

What states allow excluded drivers?

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

Can my son drive my car if he is not on my insurance?

Yes, your son can drive your car with your permission, even if he is not insured. It is known as “permissive use” and is generally allowed by insurance companies. Check your auto insurance policy to see if it allows for occasional or permissive use by family members.

Should I add my 18 year old son to my car insurance?

Getting car insurance for a young driver can be pricey due to their lack of driving experience, so a separate policy may not be the best option. In most cases, it's more affordable to add your licensed or permitted teenage driver to your existing auto insurance policy.

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.

Does excluded mean removed?

: to remove from participation, consideration, or inclusion (as in insurance coverage)

Will removing a driver lower insurance?

Yes, excluding high-risk drivers from your policy can lead to lower premiums because insurance companies base their rates on the risk profile of all the drivers listed on your policy. Removing high-risk drivers can reduce the overall risk, leading to lower costs.

What does it mean when you get excluded?

Sometimes, a school will issue an exclusion for a child, which means that they cannot attend the school. This can be fixed term, which is generally for a few days, or permanent which means they cannot return to the school and a new school should be found.

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

If someone in your household, who is unknown to your insurance company, gets in an accident, your insurer might rescind or cancel your policy and/or deny your insurance claim because they've been kept in the dark.

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.

Is my girlfriend covered if she drives my car?

Most car insurance policies will cover drivers you've listed on the policy, or anyone whom you give permission to drive your car, says Nolo.com. This means your insurance will likely cover another driver in the event of an accident, if they had your permission to drive your vehicle.

What does it mean when someone is excluded from car insurance?

An excluded driver is someone in your household that has been explicitly removed from your car insurance policy. This can be done either by the policyholder or the insurer. There are a number of reasons a policyholder or insurance company might consider this, but it usually comes down to one simple word: risk.

How to remove excluded driver from car insurance?

Once in place, the driver exclusion will remain until you ask for it to be removed. To request the withdrawal of an exclusion, contact your insurance company.

Can I exclude my son from my car insurance?

Generally you can't remove a household member from your policy unless they have their own separate insurance coverage. You should have the option to exclude your son from the policy if you don't want him to impact your rate, but that means he will not be covered to drive any of the vehicles you currently insure.

What happens if someone else drives your car and has an accident?

Usually, a car insurance policy covers the vehicle itself, not the person driving it, and that means the liability coverage (which is required by California law) should cover the friend. California is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for an accident is the one whose insurance will be the primary ...

Can I lend my car to a friend?

Your insurance becomes the primary coverage when lending the car to family members or friends. Even if the person borrowing your car has the best coverage available, your insurance covers your vehicle. However, the borrower's insurance might provide backup coverage in certain situations.

Can I remove my spouse from my car insurance if we are separated?

Can You Remove a Spouse From Car Insurance Before a Divorce? If you and your spouse are both named on your car insurance policy, you can't change the policy on your own. Insurers won't allow you to remove your soon-to-be ex from your current car insurance, or cancel your shared policy, without their approval.