It is important to know who is insured to drive your car. Knowing who needs to be listed as a driver and who does not is the crucial information you need so you know your car is covered. If you are ever in doubt, ask your insurance agent before you let someone drive your car.
Who needs to be listed as a driver?
Some insurance carriers are stricter than others when it comes to who needs to be listed on a car insurance policy as driver. It is irregularities in requirements that make it so confusing. It could cause problems if you knowingly did not list a driver who was expected to be listed for your financial benefit.
Example: Your girlfriend just moved in, you love every part of her, except for her poor driving record. She doesn’t currently own a vehicle and you let her drive yours. Adding her as a driver to your policy would raise your rates considerably. Instead you allow her to drive without adding her as a driver.
You are really taking a gamble allowing someone living in your household to drive your vehicle and not have them as a listed driver. Depending on your insurance carriers rules it is possible for a claim to be denied. However, many policies would cover a claim with your girlfriend as a driver and require her to either be added as a driver or excluded immediately after an accident.
Most insurance carriers expect the following drivers to be listed.
- Licensed family members living in the household
- Unrelated licensed drivers living in the household
- Anyone driving your vehicle and not insured elsewhere
Is a teen driving with a permit covered?
Again, it really depends on your insurance policy. Some insurance carriers do require permit holders to be listed on a policy. Other carriers only require licensed teens to be listed. Always check with your insurance agent to make sure you are properly covered.
The one time you can be certain you do not have coverage is when an excluded driver drives your vehicle. A driver becomes excluded when the named insured signs documentation stating they understand the driver will be excluded from coverage on a particular car insurance policy. You should know off hand of any excluded drivers on your policy.
Automatically covered drivers need to meet all the following criteria
- You gave the driver permission to drive
- Family, friends, co-workers, and anyone with permission
- Not living in your household
- Must have their own insurance policy in force
Unrelated drivers living in your household
One of the trickiest is whether an unrelated driver living in your household needs to be listed on your car insurance policy. It really depends on your insurance carrier. Some carriers want every licensed driver in your household either listed or excluded from the policy. While others extend coverage as long as the driver has his or her own car insurance policy. It is in your best interest to check with your insurance provider to make certain your policy is set up properly.
Uninsured Driver
It is not recommended to let any driver not listed on your policy and not having a car insurance policy of their own drive your vehicle. If an uninsured driver needs to drive your vehicle. Ask your insurance agent if you can add them as a driver. Allowing an uninsured driver drive your vehicle is asking for trouble.
