When Should You Remove Children From Your Vehicle Insurance?


WRITTEN BY: Julia Matseikovich

UPDATED: JULY 06, 2023 | 3 MIN READ

It may be normal to have your children insured on your policy, but how long should they be there? At some point, you’ll probably want to let them spread their wings and get their own auto insurance policy. Read on to learn how to remove children from your vehicle insurance policy, how to do it, and when you might be better off keeping them on your policy.

Can I Remove My Child From My Car Insurance Policy?

In a word, yes. In practice, it may be more complex than making a quick phone call or clicking a few buttons. You may have to justify removing children from your vehicle insurance policy.

If your children no longer live with you, you wouldn’t be required to have them on your policy. But if you already have them on there, you’ll have to go through the steps of removing them.

Insurance companies want to ensure there is no risk of the young adult using your car and getting into a situation where they need to make a claim.

When Can I Remove Them From My Insurance?

You may want to remove children from your vehicle insurance policy for various reasons.

There may be other reasons for taking your child off your insurance policy. Discuss your situation with your insurance company to see when you can remove them. Some companies have different rules.

How Do I Remove a Child from my Policy?

You will likely have to provide evidence to remove your child from your policy. This evidence could be proof that they no longer live with you. If they still live with you, it may be proof that they have car insurance in their name. The insurance company wants to ensure that they aren’t driving uninsured.

They may still be allowed to drive their car occasionally under the permissive use rule. Still, they won’t have coverage as an active driver of your vehicle.

Another way to remove them from your policy is to name them an excluded driver. This exclusion means that they specifically aren’t covered for driving your vehicle. Not all insurance companies will let you list excluded drivers, especially those in the same household. Others may charge a fee to exclude drivers from your policy.

Please speak to your insurance provider about their particular requirements. They’ll be able to advise you on the best option for your circumstances.

How to Get the Best Deal for Your Teen Driver

When it’s time for your teenager (or adult child) to get their car insurance coverage, make sure you look for discounts on their policy.

Student Discounts

Some insurance companies offer full-time college students discounts if they meet specific criteria. These discounts can include the following:

  • Reaching or exceeding a certain GPA (typically 3.0 or a B).
  • Scoring within the top 20% of their class.
  • Score in the top 20% of people taking specific standardized tests.

Bundled Discounts

If your child has bought a house of their own, and that’s why they need their insurance, get them to look into bundling their car insurance with their homeowner’s insurance. They might find that they get a multi-policy discount for buying them together. Alternatively, they may be able to bundle their renter’s insurance with their car insurance coverage to access cheaper rates.

Safe Driving

Depending on your child’s driving habits, they may be entitled to a safe driver discount on their policy.

Comparison Shop

Always check out a range of different policies to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Search using a comparison website to check a whole host of various providers at once.

FAQs

Should you put your kid on your car insurance?

Typically, any licensed driver in your household must be listed on your car insurance policy. Anyone with a learner’s permit has automatic coverage under the family policy. Once they gain their full driver’s license, they will need to be added to your policy.

Can I exclude my son from my car insurance?

You can exclude your child from your insurance policy. When you list someone as an excluded driver, they can’t receive any of the insurance coverage or benefits of your policy. It also means they won’t be able to drive your car at any point.

How long can I stay on my parents’ auto insurance policy?

There isn’t an age limit when you need to be removed from your parent’s auto insurance policy. You can remain listed on their insurance policy as long as your parents’ home is your permanent residence.

If I’m married, can I still be on my parent’s car insurance?

You’ll need your insurance policy if you’re married and don’t live with your parents. However, you can stay on your parent’s auto insurance policy if you and your spouse live with them and drive their cars. If you live with your parents but have your own vehicle, you can get your policy or insure your car under your parents’ policy.

What happens if you’re on your parent’s car insurance and have an accident?

The car insurance company will likely cover the cost of the damage up to the policy limits. If you have a valid driving license and are listed on your parent’s insurance policy. There are a few exceptions where the parents could be liable for the damage. For example, if a criminal act caused damage, the insurance policy likely won’t cover it.

What are the advantages of adding a child to your car insurance policy?

While adding your child to your car insurance policy could increase your premiums, there are some benefits. There are plenty of discounts for teen drivers, such as a good student discount. You can take advantage of these and offset the cost of your insurance premiums. Also, having all household members under one insurance policy can simplify your process. It will be easy to make changes and keep track of your documents.

Does my spouse have to be on my auto insurance policy?

Most insurers will require you to list anyone in your household with a full driving license on your auto insurance policy. Adding your spouse to your policy means you’re fully protected if an accident occurs. Some auto insurance companies offer joint policies if you both have a good driving record which could result in lower insurance premiums.

How long should you be on your parent’s auto insurance?

Unlike health insurance, there isn’t an age limit for when you get removed from your parent’s auto insurance policy. The only requirement to stay on your parent’s car insurance policy is that you all live in the same household.

Will my son be able to drive my car if he’s not on my insurance?

Two groups of people are covered under your auto insurance policy. The first group is anyone that’s listed in your car insurance policy. This should cover anyone who uses the car regularly or anyone living in your household with a full driving license. It also provides insurance coverage for occasional drivers, anyone who borrows your car occasionally but they don’t live with you.

How much does adding a child to your car insurance cost?

On average, you can expect to pay around $4,144 to add a 16-year-old to your car insurance policy, compared to an average of $3,343 to add a 19-year-old. Adding a young driver can increase your rate from 50% to 100%. However, once your child reaches their 20s, you should see a decrease in your car insurance rates.

Getting Auto Insurance Rates When Removing Your Teenage Driver from Your Policy

It’s not always necessary for your child to be on your insurance. There are some reasons for having them on your policy, but at some point, you might finally think it’s time to remove them. After providing your insurance company evidence of why your kid no longer needs to be on your insurance, you should be able to get them taken off.

It’s always a great idea to shop around and compare insurance quotes to ensure you get the best rates available. Whether you remove your child from your policy or have decided to keep them listed. Please fill out our online rate form to see prices from the top insurance companies in your area or be connected with a licensed auto insurance professional.