Can I Add My Girlfriend Or Boyfriend To My Car Insurance?

Key Points:

• You can add your girlfriend or boyfriend to your car insurance if you live together.
• If your significant other drives your car at least once a month, you can add them to your policy.
• Typically your policy will cover your girlfriend or boyfriend if they drive your car less than once a month.

If you’ve been dating someone for a while, you may be wondering if you should add them to your car insurance.

The short answer is yes, but it will depend on your situation. In this guide, our review team explains when it’s a good idea to add your girlfriend or boyfriend to your car insurance policy and when it’s not. We also make our recommendations for some of the best car insurance companies in the industry.

Can I Add My Girlfriend Or Boyfriend To My Car Insurance?

Yes, you can add your girlfriend or boyfriend to your car insurance and you may be required to if you live together. Generally, if you and your significant other live at the same address, your car insurance company will consider you household members and will therefore require each of you on your policy. 

You should also add your girlfriend or boyfriend to your car insurance policy if they drive your car frequently (more than 10 to 15 times a year), even if you don’t live together. If they drive your car infrequently, they will typically be automatically covered by something called “permissive use.”

What Is Permissive Use?

Most major insurers offer a permissive use clause, which covers anyone who drives your vehicle fewer than 10 to 15 times a year with your consent.

However, there are some exceptions to a permissive use clause. If your significant other falls under any of these restrictions, they may need to be added as a listed driver on your policy:

• Member of your household: If your significant other lives with you and plans to drive your vehicle (even just occasionally), they need to be added to your car insurance policy.
• Uninsured: If your girlfriend or boyfriend is uninsured, your insurance company may not cover them under permissive use.
• Little to no driving experience: If your partner has very little driving experience, they may not be covered under your permissive use clause.
• Business use: If your girlfriend or boyfriend plans to use your car for business purposes, that may exclude them from your permissive use clause.

When Should I Add My Boyfriend Or Girlfriend To My Car Insurance?

Adding your significant other to your car insurance coverage can save money and hassle for a variety of reasons. Here are some situations in which combining policies is a good idea:

1. Your Partner Lives With You

If your girlfriend or boyfriend lives with you and plans to drive your car regularly, they should be added to your policy. Insurance companies often require anyone of driving age in your household to be included on your coverage. 

2. Your Girlfriend Or Boyfriend Drives Your Vehicle Frequently

Most car insurance companies require people who drive your vehicle frequently to be added to your policy. “Regular usage” is typically defined as someone driving a vehicle more than 10 to 15 times a year. 

3. You Each Own A Vehicle

If your partner owns a vehicle and has their own policy, you don’t need to add them to yours – but you could get a discount by combining policies.

4. Your Boyfriend Or Girlfriend Doesn’t Have Car Insurance

If your significant other lives with you and doesn’t have their own insurance, you may need to add them to your policy. While most insurers cover drivers who have permission to borrow your car occasionally, some don’t. If your auto insurance provider doesn’t allow permissive use, your policy may not pay for damages if your partner gets in an accident with your car.

When Should I Not Add My Boyfriend Or Girlfriend To My Insurance?

Adding your partner to your car insurance isn’t always a smart decision. Below are six reasons you many not want to include them on your policy:

1. Your Partner Has A Bad Driving Record

If your partner has numerous tickets and driving violations, adding them to your policy could significantly raise your rate since insurers calculate premiums based in part on individual driving history.

2. You Don’t Borrow Each Other’s Vehicles Often

If you both have your own vehicles and insurance policies and don’t borrow each other’s cars that often, you may not need to add your partner to your policy. If you live together, though, it’s wise to call your insurance agents to make sure you’re both covered under the other’s permissive use clause.

3. Your Partner Has A Poor Credit Score

Car insurance companies have found a correlation between low credit scores and the number of insurance claims filed. Because of this, many auto insurers charge higher rates for drivers with poor credit.

In all states except California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan, credit scores are used to set rates. So if your partner has low credit, you may want to think twice before adding them to your policy. 

4. Your Partner Has Fewer Than Nine Years Of Driving Experience

Because car insurance rates are partially determined by driving history, adding someone with limited driving experience could result in a rate increase.

5. Your Partner Has A Recent At-Fault Accident

Drivers with recent accidents are considered riskier to insure. If your partner got in an accident within the last three years, they could be seen as a high-risk driver, and your insurance premium could increase as a result of that.

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How To Add Your Partner To Your Car Insurance

There are basically two ways you can combine car insurance policies with your girlfriend or boyfriend. You could simply add them to your existing policy either online or by calling your agent, or you could buy a new policy together.

Adding them to your existing policy is the quickest and easiest method (most major insurers provide options for doing this with just a few clicks online), but you may see a rate increase depending on their driving and credit history. On the other hand, you could compare free quotes from insurance companies and start a new policy together. This lets you see which provider offers the best car insurance rate and discounts.

Excluding Your Partner From Your Insurance

If you live with your partner but you don’t want them on your insurance policy, you can name them as an excluded driver. When it comes to other drivers living in your household, most insurers will require you to include or exclude them. If you name your partner as an excluded driver, they won’t be covered to drive your vehicle at all – not even occasionally with your permission. So think carefully before deciding to exclude your girlfriend or boyfriend on your car insurance policy. 

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Our Take: Can I Add My Girlfriend To My Car Insurance?

You can add your girlfriend or boyfriend to your insurance policy if you live together or they drive your vehicle frequently. You may also save money with a multi-vehicle discount if you combine coverage. If you’re adding a significant other to your car insurance policy, we recommend shopping around and comparing rates and discounts from numerous providers.

Our Recommended Car Insurance Providers

Whenever you shop for insurance, we recommend getting quotes from multiple insurers so you can compare options for cheap car insurance. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors like your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect your premium. So comparing rates and coverages is the best way to ensure you find the right policy for your specific needs.

Here are three of our top-rated providers:

State Farm: Best Overall Provider

State Farm can be a great option for young drivers and students. The company offers a good student discount of up to 25 percent. Drivers under 25 can also participate in the Steer Clear^® educational program for more savings.

USAA: Best For Military Members

If you’re a military member, a veteran, or a member of a military family, USAA is worth a look. The company offers some of the best rates for full-coverage insurance and is known for its customer service. USAA frequently earns high scores in J.D. Power consumer surveys.

Geico: Best For Basic Coverage

Geico offers a great multi-vehicle discount of up to 25 percent, which makes it a good option for couples with two or more vehicles. Our team also found Geico’s rates for full-coverage insurance tend to be cheaper than the national average.

Can I Add My Girlfriend To My Car Insurance?: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about whether you should add your girlfriend or boyfriend to your car insurance policy.

How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.