Can Unmarried Couples Be on the Same Car Insurance?

Married couples have the ability to secure one common auto insurance policy instead of getting separate coverage. However, if you and your partner are not yet married but drive the same household cars, you may wonder if that would apply in your case. Do not immediately assume that you can't -- call a few insurers to investigate whether you can establish a shared policy.

Unmarried Couples

If a boyfriend and girlfriend who live in separate households attempt to get a shared car insurance policy, it is unlikely to be approved. Insurers will usually only consider adding multiple people to a policy if they share an address. So if the two individuals live in the same household, they may be able to get the same insurance policy with the required coverage for their vehicles.

Benefits

When a couple combines policies, they may enjoy a lower premium compared to taking on two separate policies. Both parties can also take advantage of the same discounts. For instance, if the primary policy holder has different types of insurance under the same company, he may qualify for a multiple policy discount, which his partner would benefit from as well. Some insurers also offer a special discount due to multiple automobiles listed on one policy.

Potential Downsides

Though a shared policy may offer benefits at first, it can also become a burden. If one half of the couple experiences incidents, such as moving violations and accident claims, that could drive up the auto insurance premium cost for all parties involved. Also, if one person has bad credit or previous driving record issues that could cause a higher premium or inability to secure the policy at all.

Other Considerations

Not all insurance companies allow this type of arrangement. Some insurers may prefer a couple who is legally married. So the unmarried couple has to shop around and use online quoting services to get a wide selection of options. If allowed, the parties must also agree on which person will take on the role of the primary policy holder. In many cases if the primary policy holder decides to cancel, the entire coverage plan ends and the other person must establish his own separate car insurance policy.