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According to Bankrate’s proprietary rate data from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of a full coverage car insurance policy is $2,014 per year, with minimum coverage averaging $622. These rates reflect a single driver with one vehicle listed on the policy. Married couples with one vehicle typically pay lower premiums, with average annual rates of $1,898 for full coverage and $595 for minimum coverage.
While insuring multiple drivers under the same policy could help you lower your rates, your company may have some stipulations you must meet before this option is available. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team breaks down car insurance for multiple drivers so you can decide if this path is right for you.
Key takeaways
- It may make financial sense to add drivers to your policy rather than those drivers purchasing a policy of their own.
- Your insurance company may require you to add all household members to your policy, even if they don’t drive your vehicle.
- Non-household members may not be eligible to be added to your policy unless necessary, such as regularly driving your vehicle, shared vehicle ownership or other insurance company requirements.
Can multiple drivers share a car insurance policy?
Yes, multiple drivers can share a car insurance policy under certain conditions. With most auto insurance companies, you are required to list all household members on your policy if they have a valid driver’s license and access to your vehicle.
Spouses and other household members can share a car insurance policy in many scenarios. In fact, it is usually required by insurance companies to insure all drivers so that the carrier is aware of the household risk while insuring your vehicle. If someone you are not related to lives in your household, you may have to add them as a driver depending on how often they drive your vehicle and your car insurance company’s guidelines. For example, a few companies require roommates to be listed, but others do not have that requirement if your roommate has their own insurance policy.
Don’t be surprised if your insurance company requires you to add all licensed (or permitted) household members to your policy, even if they don’t drive your car. This practice is standard for many carriers because anyone with access to your car keys may pose a risk. However, if a household member has their own policy, your carrier might remove them from your policy in some cases. For more information, please get in touch with your company directly.
It’s important to note that you cannot add drivers for the sake of consolidating bills or earning discounts. To share a policy, you must have a need to do so, whether from regularly driving the vehicle, shared ownership in the vehicle or your carrier’s requirements. Additionally, while you may be able to add a driver to your policy, you might not be able to add that driver’s vehicle — it depends on how the person is related to you, whether they co-own your car and your company’s guidelines. For more information on multi-car insurance policies, you may want to contact your agent.
With multiple drivers on the same policy, premiums are based on each driver’s risk. Insurance companies will pull everyone’s motor vehicle records and claims history to determine risk. In turn, insurance companies will calculate a total premium, and you will get one bill to pay.
Best car insurance companies for multiple drivers
The best car insurance companies for multiple drivers may be different for everyone. Getting the best deal on car insurance is based on several rating factors, including driver-specific information such as age, driving experience, marital status and driving history. The carriers below may be some of the best options based on our holistic evaluation of average rates for married drivers on one policy.
| Amica | $1,509 | $440 |
| Geico | $1,317 | $370 |
| Liberty Mutual | Rate unavailable | Rate unavailable |
| Nationwide | $1,383 | $569 |
| State Farm | $1,475 | $462 |
*Premiums based on married policyholders
- Amica – With Amica, you can save up to 25 percent by insuring multiple vehicles and up to 30 percent for buying more than one insurance product from the carrier. Amica also rewards loyalty, offering a discount for staying insured with the company and for children of current policyholders as a legacy discount if they get their own policy with Amica before turning 30. There are several other opportunities for discounts with Amica, like being claims-free or a homeowner. To discuss a quote with Amica, those interested can contact Amica over the phone or by visiting www.amica.com.
- Geico – With Geico, you can add multiple drivers to your car insurance policy and save up to 25 percent by insuring more than one vehicle on your policy. Good drivers may save even more, with up to a 22 percent discount for remaining accident-free for five years.
- Liberty Mutual – Safe drivers may be eligible for accident-free and violation-free discounts with Liberty Mutual for maintaining a clean record. There are also discounts for having more than one car and your home or renters insurance with the company. Discount amounts vary by state and insurance products purchased.
- Nationwide – At Nationwide, the more you bundle, the more you may save. Nationwide offers a multi-car discount, plus a multi-policy discount if you insure your home, renters, boat, life insurance or motorcycle with the insurer. Eligible drivers may also stack accident-free, good student and safe driver discounts.
- State Farm – If you have a young driver in the household, State Farm offers several discounts that may make it more affordable to insure this age group. The Steer Clear program is designed to make drivers more attentive and aware, rewarding them for good driving habits. Students can also get a good student discount if they have a B or above average. You may save up to 20 percent with the multi-vehicle discount and up to $1,127 when combining home and auto insurance with State Farm.
How to find cheap car insurance for multiple drivers
One of the best ways to find cheap car insurance for multiple drivers is to shop around with different carriers. Each company has its own risk guidelines, discounts and rate structures that can change how much you pay for car insurance, especially when insuring multiple drivers. Each person’s driving record and claims history will be reviewed, so if one driver has a risky driving history, it could increase the cost of the entire policy or affect eligibility with a particular carrier.
While there is an increased likelihood of risk, a multiple-driver policy may also make you eligible for more savings opportunities. You may be able to keep the price low with other discounts, like insuring more than one product, being affiliated with an organization, being a safe driver, having low annual mileage and driving a car with safety features. Additionally, if another household member has a clean record and an experienced driving history, it can beneficially impact the rate.
Frequently asked questions
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How many drivers you can have on your insurance policy depends on the company. Most companies allow up to a certain amount of vehicles and drivers on a single policy, but if you exceed the number allowed per policy, you can usually get a second policy with the same company. Some companies may allow a higher number of insured vehicles than others. If you are unsure how many drivers or cars you can add, you should ask your insurance company.
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Yes, adding a named driver to your policy would affect your insurance premium to account for the named driver’s individual risk factor. Additionally, if the named driver gets into an accident, the claim would go under your shared vehicle policy, impacting your overall premium.
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To add another driver to your insurance, you should call or email your insurance agent or company. If you have online account access or use the insurance company’s mobile app, you may be able to add them there. You will typically need the driver’s full name, date of birth, driver’s license number and reason they are being added.
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No, adding a named driver does not affect your driving record, though it can affect your car insurance rates. Only things you do while driving affect your driving record, like getting a speeding ticket or other infractions.
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Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
Married rates were evaluated based on the following marital status: married, 40-year-old married male and female drivers on one policy insuring a 2021 Toyota Camry.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
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