5 Tips for Adding an Additional Driver to Your Car Insurance

From time to time, most car owners will need to add an addition driver to the car insurance policy. This may happen after a marriage or when a child hits driving age. Sometimes, it occurs because the owner needs for another driver to use the car to transport the owner due to health issues. It might be that a relative needs to borrow the vehicle for an extended period of time. Regardless of the reason, the process of adding another driver to your policy is about the same.

Start by contacting the agent.

While this may seem obvious, it is usually the simple things that are not done. By contacting the agent, you have let the insurance company know that your car may be operated by a different individual. In most states, when the agent knows a fact about the insured, it is considered that the company knows it, too. When you advise your agent of the change, a binder can be issued, and the new driver will be covered until the permanent coverage is in place. This way, if an accident happens, your vehicle is covered.

When adding a son or a daughter who is a new driver, a call to the agent may be all that is necessary.

The insurance company will need the child's information regarding birth date and driver's license number. After that, the new driver will be rated on the risk factors associated with their young age rather than their driving history since there is none. Usually, that is about all that is required except to pay the bill for the additional premium when it arrives a few weeks later. If you're with a high-risk insurer, you may be asked to pay the extra premium cost before the new driver is added to your policy.

A driver who will only be operating your car for a short time may not be added to the policy.

Various situations can arise that require someone not listed on your policy to drive your car. This can include having guests visiting from out of town or a friend or relative borrowing your car for a specific reason. As long as the situation will be resolved within a couple of weeks, it is unlikely that your agent will recommend adding the person to your policy. Just be sure that the new driver is properly licensed and is using your car legally.

If your car will be operated permanently or for an extended period by an additional driver, you will need to add the driver to your auto insurance.

Once it becomes evident that the additional driver will be using your vehicle for months or longer, have them added to your insurance policy. This may require various things in different states. The person will have to produce a valid driver's license along with additional personal identification in some states. Release forms will also need to be signed so that the driving history can be obtained.

If the new driver has a bad driving history, it will create rate increases for you.

You may want to have a talk with the additional driver before adding someone to your car insurance. Unless it is absolutely necessary, you never want to add a bad driver to your insurance policy. It can leave a long-term mark against your insurance rates. In fact, adding one poor driver can cause your current insurer to cancel your policy and force you into high-risk car insurance.