Car Insurance for Multiple Drivers: How It Works

Insuring multiple drivers on one policy can raise your premium, but it could save you money in the long run.

Taylor Milam-Samuel
Taylor Milam-Samuel
  • 8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider

  • Master’s in Education

Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.

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Chris Schafer
Edited byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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Updated October 30, 2024

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*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Whether you’re a parent who wants to insure your teen driver, a spouse who regularly swaps cars with your partner, or you share a car with roommates, it may make sense to insure your multiple drivers under one auto policy.

Multi-driver policies are usually more expensive than single-driver policies, but it’s often much cheaper to have multiple drivers under one policy than it is to have a separate policy for each driver. You may also be able to increase your savings by comparing car insurance quotes.

Quick Facts
  • If one person on a multi-driver policy receives a citation, it can affect the rates for all other members of that policy.

  • Individuals must reside at the same address to be added to a multi-driver policy.

  • The national average monthly premium for a multi-driver policy is $199.

How to insure multiple drivers

You usually have two options for insuring more than one driver on the same car: Add multiple drivers to the same insurance policy or set up individual policies for each driver.

Both options accomplish the same goal, but they have some crucial differences to explore.

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Multiple-driver insurance policy

A car insurance policy for multiple drivers is a single policy that covers more than one driver for the same car. It’s a solid option for spouses, roommates, and parents with children who drive. While this is usually the cheapest way to insure multiple drivers, it’s often more expensive than a single-driver policy.

The price you pay will depend on each covered person’s driving record, age, and other factors. However, multiple drivers on one policy usually equates to an increased risk for the insurance company and, therefore, a higher cost for you, since additional people intend to drive the car.

Multiple single-driver insurance policies

You can also opt to cover everyone’s needs with multiple individual auto insurance policies. Then, each person has a separate insurance policy in their name, unconnected to the other drivers.

It usually costs more to maintain separate insurance policies. This is because adding new drivers to an existing policy is often cheaper for the insurer than creating new coverage options. Insurance companies also often include discounts for multiple-driver policies to encourage additional business.

How does a multi-driver car insurance policy work?

Car insurance for multiple drivers functions the same as a single-driver policy. You can add a driver to your existing auto policy, or the policyholder can add you to a policy as another driver. The drivers on the policy are responsible for paying the insurance premium when it’s due, usually every six or 12 months.

The cost of a multi-driver policy depends on each driver’s driving record, age, and other factors. The insurance company accesses the motor vehicle record for each driver and uses the information to determine pricing.

Once the policy is active, each person’s actions affect the other drivers. If one driver gets a citation or violation, the policy premium will likely increase for everyone.

But even though the other drivers might have to share the financial burden, they’re not responsible for the citation. The violation will only appear on the record of the driver who received it. The same is true for high-risk offenses, like a DUI. However, the insurance company might refuse to insure the convicted driver. This could affect the other policyholders by forcing them to look for a new policy if the existing policy was in the name of the driver who was denied insurance.

Multi-driver insurance policy pros and cons

Even though car insurance for multiple drivers can be a great option, it does have potential drawbacks. Here are some advantages and disadvantages you might want to consider with a multi-driver insurance policy.

Pros

  • It’s cheaper than the cost of multiple single-driver policies. When you need to insure more than one driver for the same car, multi-driver policies are usually the most economical option.

  • Other drivers don’t affect your driving record. It might seem risky to enter into a car insurance policy with other drivers. However, you can feel at ease knowing that the other drivers’ citations, accidents, or violations won’t appear on your driving record.

  • It simplifies the insurance process. Managing a single policy for multiple drivers is more straightforward. You only have one bill to pay monthly and one insurance company to communicate with.

Cons

  • One driver’s actions can affect the costs for everyone. Even though another driver’s actions won’t appear on your driving record, they can still affect you, thanks to increased costs for a shared policy.

  • The policy is usually in one driver’s name. A multi-driver policy provides coverage for multiple drivers, but one driver usually adds the others to an existing policy. As a result, that person might inadvertently feel more responsible for paying the bills and managing the account.

  • You must live at the same address. To add someone to your insurance policy, you must both have the same permanent address. Insurance companies might make an exception for children away at college, but that’s usually the only exception offered.

Who can you add to a multi-driver insurance policy?

You must reside at the same permanent address to add someone to your insurance policy. Children away at college are usually considered an exception. But you can add insurance for the drivers on more than one car.

For example, suppose you and your spouse own a vehicle. In that case, you can have a multi-driver policy that includes coverage for both vehicles. Multi-driver insurance policies can usually include up to four drivers.

These are typical examples of people who might share the same address and decide to utilize a multi-driver policy:

  • Spouse

  • Teen children

  • Roommates

  • Significant other

  • Parents

  • Other family members

How to add a driver to your insurance policy

To add a driver to your auto insurance policy, follow these steps:

  1. Contact your insurance company. Once you’re ready to add a driver to your policy, contact your insurer to make the request.

  2. Provide the necessary information. To add a new driver to an existing policy, most insurance companies need to access the person’s driver’s license, address and ZIP code, driving record, claims history, credit score, and date of birth.

  3. Review the updated policy. After adding the new driver to your policy, you’ll receive a new insurance policy and premium. Review both and ensure it’s a good fit.

  4. Compare car insurance quotes. After reviewing the updated policy, compare offers from other insurers to make sure you’re getting the best deal on coverage.

Recent quotes for other Insurify users

Recent car insurance prices for Mitsubishi, Nissan, Ford, and more. Insurify features quotes from 100+ carriers including Safeco, Clearcover, and National General Value.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

How much does a multiple-driver insurance policy cost?

The cost of car insurance for multiple drivers depends on various factors, including the profile and driving record of the drivers you want to insure. Your location and characteristics of the vehicle also affect the cost.

The national average cost of a full-coverage policy for multiple drivers is $314 per month, including liability coverage. The national average for a liability-only policy for multiple drivers is $199.

Multi-driver insurance policy quotes by state

Car insurance rates vary by state, and the same is true for multi-driver policies. Florida is the most expensive state for multi-driver full-coverage insurance policies, while New Hampshire is the cheapest.

State
Average Quote: Full Coverage
Average Quote: Liability Only
Alabama$232$148
Alaska$162$142
Arizona$283$174
Arkansas$272$160
California$268$134
Colorado$278$147
Connecticut$308$222
Delaware$291$254
Florida$531$366
Georgia$347$210
Hawaii$164$75
Idaho$177$113
Illinois$209$129
Indiana$174$97
Iowa$207$107
Kansas$225$129
Kentucky$323$225
Louisiana$403$287
Maine$189$96
Maryland$368$240
Massachusetts$148$125
Michigan$513$242
Minnesota$207$141
Mississippi$251$151
Missouri$274$147
Montana$236$126
Nebraska$227$133
Nevada$408$292
New Hampshire$126$78
New Jersey$290$204
New Mexico$217$116
New York$359$376
North Carolina$150$76
North Dakota$183$104
Ohio$199$117
Oklahoma$260$162
Oregon$281$177
Pennsylvania$245$126
Rhode Island$273$186
South Carolina$289$203
South Dakota$258$98
Tennessee$222$120
Texas$296$194
Utah$241$158
Vermont$166$83
Virginia$224$150
Washington$273$179
Washington, D.C.$245$225
West Virginia$256$131
Wisconsin$205$100
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Best companies for multiple-driver insurance

Comparing quotes as you shop for the best multi-driver insurance policies is essential. Various factors determine the best car insurance company for you, including the driver profile and habits of the people on your policy, vehicle type, and location.

The following companies offer solid multi-driver insurance coverage with competitive prices:

Insurance Company
Average Quote: Full Coverage
Average Quote: Liability Only
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Travelers$183$1369.0
Clearcover$192$1356.8
Elephant$194$1578.3
Farmers$199$998.3
Plymouth Rock$200$124N/A
Nationwide$209$1738.7
Safeco$225$1368.3
Progressive$232$1558.4
Direct Auto$238$1897.3
Mercury$245$1888.0
AssuranceAmerica$251$1875.3
Liberty Mutual$259$1857.7
Midvale Home & Auto$260$176N/A
State Auto$266$1168.5
National General$301$1916.8
Kemper$302$148N/A
Commonwealth Casualty$361$1665.5
Dairyland$377$1917.0
Infinity$381$272N/A
Bristol West$415$2505.2
The General$536$3207.3
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
    • Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.

Methodology

Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates. With this data, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums.

How to save money on car insurance for multiple drivers

If you’re going from a single-driver policy to a multi-driver policy, you’ll likely find that your costs increase. But you still have simple ways to save money and reduce your premium.

Seek discounts

Most car insurance companies offer extensive discount options, including some you might not expect. You might be able to secure a discount for paying your premium in full or if your parents have insurance through the same company. Plus, good driver, student, and multi-driver discounts might be great options as well.

Choose a higher deductible

Raising your deductible is one of the quickest ways to save money on your premium. In general, a higher deductible equates to a lower premium. It’s a great strategy to lower your monthly payment. Still, it’s essential to ensure you can afford the deductible in case of a claim.

Practice safe driving

Many car insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who go a few years without a claim or violation. Some insurers also encourage customers to download an app that tracks their driving. The app reports your driving habits back to the insurance company. If you drive safely for a certain amount of time, based on the app’s data, you can earn an additional discount.

Maintain good credit

In most states, car insurance companies use drivers’ credit scores as a factor when determining rates. Data shows that drivers with higher scores are less likely to get into accidents, so insurers consider scores a factor.

Raising your credit score by monitoring your credit report, making credit card and loan payments on time, and keeping balances below your credit limit can all help your credit score.

Comparison shop

It’s always smart to compare insurance quotes from different insurers before deciding on a policy. This is true when you add drivers to your existing car insurance policy and search for a new one. It’s also best practice to shop for quotes every time your insurance is due for renewal to ensure your rates are competitive.

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Car insurance for multiple drivers FAQs

Multi-driver car insurance is an excellent option if you share the same permanent address and drive the same car. It’s usually cheaper than having individual policies for each driver. But it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of the coverage.

  • How does a claim affect a multiple-driver insurance policy?

    If you or another driver on the policy file a claim, it might raise the premium. That’s true for single-driver policies as well. If you aren’t the driver who files the claim, it won’t appear on your driving record or affect your rates for an individual policy.

  • Is a multiple-driver insurance policy cheaper?

    Yes, if you need to insure multiple drivers for the same car. A multi-driver insurance policy is usually cheaper than buying individual policies for each driver. However, multi-driver policies are typically more expensive than single-driver policies.

  • How many drivers can be on one policy?

    Most insurance companies allow up to four drivers on a single policy. But the number of drivers that can be on a policy varies from one insurer to the next.

  • Does the name on a car registration have to match the name on an insurance policy?

    No. The name on the car registration doesn’t have to match the name on an insurance policy. Insurance companies can choose only to insure drivers who are on the registration. But it’s not a legal requirement to do so.

  • How can you insure two drivers on one car?

    The first step to insure two drivers for one car is to contact your insurance company and request that it add another driver to your policy. Your insurance company usually needs to access the new driver’s license, driving record, and other information.

Taylor Milam-Samuel
Taylor Milam-Samuel

Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris SchaferSenior Editor
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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