Can you add a non-family member to your car insurance?

No, you cannot add someone who doesn’t live with you to your car insurance in most cases. College-aged students who aren’t living at home but still use their parents’ home as their permanent address are the biggest exception to this rule. But if your college-aged student has their own permanent address or … read full answerregisters the car in their own name, your child should get their own insurance.

In some cases, you may be able to add someone who doesn’t live with you to your auto insurance if they borrow your car regularly. For example, an elderly person might add a home healthcare worker to their policy because the aide frequently drives their car to help with regular errands.

Since car insurance follows the car, another driver borrowing your car should have the same coverage and limits as you would. But car insurance companies may deny the claim if they decide that driver should have been listed on your policy because they live with you or had regular access to the car. If you’re unsure whether you can add someone who doesn’t live with you to your policy, you should contact your insurance agent directly to confirm how they handle your unique situation.

Yes. You can stay on your parents’ car insurance if you move out, as long as:

• You’re away at school and still list your parents' home address as your primary residence.
• You’re considered an eligible dependent (insurers have different definitions) and you still drive a vehicle owned and insured by a parent.… read full answer
• You’re living in another house your parents rent or own.

There is no age limit for keeping a child on a parent’s car insurance policy. Insurance companies do have different rules regarding when someone is no longer considered a dependent, though. For some, you may not be a dependent if you are only living with your parents part-time. Others may consider you a dependent until you get married or buy a residence for yourself. It’s a good idea to check with your parents’ insurance provider if you’re in doubt.

When You Cannot Stay on Your Parents’ Car Insurance

Usually, unless you’re a direct dependent, you cannot stay on your parents’ car insurance if you move out of the house permanently since auto insurance policies are sold in part by considering how many active drivers live in an insured customer’s household. Insurers also take into account a driver’s ZIP code when determining premiums.

While it may be cheaper for young adult drivers to stay on their parents’ policy, don’t lie about where you live just to keep those cheaper premiums. Lying about your address can be considered misrepresentation or fraud, and if your insurer finds out, they could cancel coverage for you and everyone else named on the policy.

Finally, it's also important to note that if a child moves out but still drives their parents’ cars occasionally, they will be covered under what is called “permissive use.” In that scenario, they don’t need to stay on their parents’ car insurance policy or get their own policy.