Should I add him to my car insurance policy?

[BecxyRex]

This might be an odd question, but I'd like to get input before I make a decision.

 

I own a car and my boyfriend does not. I'm perfectly fine letting him drive the car when we go out. Usually I default to the passenger seat, when the both of us drive somewhere, and it feels natural for him to drive it. I'm however not a fan of anyone, including him, driving my car when I'm not in it.

 

My car insurance is obviously under my name and I'm the only driver. Am I being risky for not having him on my insurance, since he drives it frequently (with me in it)?

 

Should I add him as a driver and have him split my insurance expense?

 

How do any of you handle this?

[indea08]

He will be covered by your insurance as a "temporary driver" if something were to happen while he was driving.

 

How long have you been together? Is this going to be a life-long relationship? If not, I wouldn't bother adding him. I assume he is an adult and can get his own insurance if he needs it.

[DancingFool]

He wouldn't be driving my car. Period.

 

Since it's not the answer you are looking for, then you actually need to check what your insurance does and doesn't cover and what your state requirements are for things like that. There is no one size fits all answer here and nobody knows what's in your policy and state regulations. Read the fine print or talk to an insurance agent.

[Doc Blaze]

I just read up and its pretty back and fourth on what to do. Most say you need to look at your own policy and see what exactly is covered. each insurance company might go about things a little different.

[Wiseman2]

Does he want to pay half your insurance? You would be better off rereading your policy very carefully. If his DMV records are less than stellar your rates will go up..

 

What about half the gas, car maintenance etc? Why doesn't he have a car? Shouldn't he be saving for that? The more you commingle to save a few bucks the more you should really look into things.

I own a car and my boyfriend does not. I'm perfectly fine letting him drive the car when we go out. My car insurance is obviously under my name and I'm the only driver.Should I add him as a driver and have him split my insurance expense?

[jjkk]

How come he doesn't have a car?

[Clinton]

Anyone who uses your car on a regular or semi-regular basis is a secondary driver. You can have more than one secondary driver (for example, if your spouse and your daughter both drive your car). Every secondary driver you list on your policy adds to the cost, particularly if it's someone young -- teen drivers are a high-risk group -- or with a bad traffic history. Putting a secondary driver on your policy still works out cheaper than if the driver takes out a separate policy.

[BecxyRex]

Does he want to pay half your insurance? You would be better off rereading your policy very carefully. If his DMV records are less than stellar your rates will go up..

 

What about half the gas, car maintenance etc? Why doesn't he have a car? Shouldn't he be saving for that? The more you commingle to save a few bucks the more you should really look into things.

 

You make good points, thank you.

[BecxyRex]

How come he doesn't have a car?

 

He's always had a bike that he feels he can get around on just fine. We live in a fairly bike friendly city.

[jjkk]

He's always had a bike that he feels he can get around on just fine. We live in a fairly bike friendly city.

Gotcha! So then as the others suggested it would be best to check with your insurance company.

[BecxyRex]

Anyone who uses your car on a regular or semi-regular basis is a secondary driver. You can have more than one secondary driver (for example, if your spouse and your daughter both drive your car). Every secondary driver you list on your policy adds to the cost, particularly if it's someone young -- teen drivers are a high-risk group -- or with a bad traffic history. Putting a secondary driver on your policy still works out cheaper than if the driver takes out a separate policy.

 

You know I had no idea it might raise the cost, thank you. I'm not from this country and have only had my car for about 2 years. Still learning how it all works here.

[HeartGoesOn]

How does his driving record look? That would be the first thing I'd take into consideration. Not to derail the thread, but is this the same guy with the drinking problem?

[BecxyRex]

How does his driving record look? That would be the first thing I'd take into consideration. Not to derail the thread, but is this the same guy with the drinking problem?

 

Yes. I wouldn't go as far as calling it a drinking problem. He drinks way more than I do and previous partners, but he seems willing to cut down. So it may boil down to a difference in what we find "normal".

[Wiseman2]

In many states he will be covered anyway, if he has permission to drive the car. So just ask him to pay towards the car operating costs in general, but again, reread your policy and state DMV laws.

You make good points, thank you.

[BecxyRex]

Ok, so a couple of people have pointed out that I should check his driving records and ask my insurance company. I'll do that, thank you! If it would raise the price and his records aren't great, I suppose that's when I stop letting him use my car? Would that be just too risky? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

[Wiseman2]

You don't need to check with the company just reread your policy, of course they will sell you more unnecessary coverage, lol. This info is easily available for free on line on your state's dmv site. If he has permission to drive, he's covered. If you want him to cough up money say so. Calculate your monthly operating costs including maintenance, registration, insurance, etc and let him pay toward that. Go to DMV.com. So easy.

Ok, so a couple of people have pointed out that I should check his driving records and ask my insurance company. I'll do that, thank you! If it would raise the price and his records aren't great, I suppose that's when I stop letting him use my car? Would that be just too risky? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

[Ms Darcy]

You are taking an unnecessary risk by letting him drive your car. Have you thought about the consequences of him say getting into a car accident? Don't let him drive your car. Don't risk legal and financial consequences simply because it feels natural for him to drive.

 

If he wants to drive, let him get his own car.

[Heather Dawn]

Yes. I wouldn't go as far as calling it a drinking problem. He drinks way more than I do and previous partners, but he seems willing to cut down. So it may boil down to a difference in what we find "normal".

 

Oy.

 

Red flag.

 

Wouldn't let him near my car.

[Wiseman2]

Agree! Yeah get him out of the driver's seat, regardless of your coverage. Does he even have a valid licence? Or DUIs? Why doesn't he have a car? More importantly, you let him move in and you don't know about his driving history or why he has no car?

Oy.Red flag. Wouldn't let him near my car.

[DancingFool]

Ok, so a couple of people have pointed out that I should check his driving records and ask my insurance company. I'll do that, thank you! If it would raise the price and his records aren't great, I suppose that's when I stop letting him use my car? Would that be just too risky? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

 

Honestly, there is no reason for him to be driving your car for all sorts of liability issues. Yes please read up your state DMV rules, they are online. Your policy fine print you can read too. Your policy will spell out what it covers, doesn't cover, what's a breach of coverage, etc.

 

Considering that he doesn't drive on a regular basis, that itself creates a liability. He has less driving practice than you.

 

Yes, you absolutely need to check his license and driving history. For all you know his love of biking everywhere is because his driving privileges are suspended. So he can get away driving your car because any cop running your registration won't pull him up. However, he can't buy a car or drive a car in his name.

 

Having said all that, rather than making things so complicated, just keep it simple - your car, you drive. He wants to drive, he can get a car. He prefers to bike, more power to him...and health too for that matter.

 

I mean my bf and I both have cars. If we are taking my car, I'm driving. If his, he is driving. Simple. You have no need for some ultra archaic ideas of the man should be driving when we are going out. It's the 21st century after all......

[BecxyRex]

You are taking an unnecessary risk by letting him drive your car. Have you thought about the consequences of him say getting into a car accident? Don't let him drive your car. Don't risk legal and financial consequences simply because it feels natural for him to drive.

 

If he wants to drive, let him get his own car.

 

I thought he'd be covered if he's allowed to drive? Am I misunderstanding?

[Clinton]

As an occasional every once in a blue moon driver he would be covered under your current policy. Anything more than that he needs to be added in as a secondary driver. And your rates go up if he is the secondary driver. And if he has an accident your rates go up. And your insurance rating will be affected. Doesn't matter if he was the driver during the accident.

 

Don't kid yourself. If there's one industry that actually checks this stuff out, it's the insurance industry. Don't try and get away with him as an occasional driver if he really is the secondary driver.

[BecxyRex]

Agree! Yeah get him out of the driver's seat, regardless of your coverage. Does he even have a valid licence? Or DUIs? Why doesn't he have a car? More importantly, you let him move in and you don't know about his driving history or why he has no car?

 

Valid license, no DUI's and I know the reason. He's always gotten around on his bike. He never felt the need to get a car. Our city is bike friendly, so it never seemed necessary.

[BecxyRex]

As an occasional every once in a blue moon driver he would be covered under your current policy. Anything more than that he needs to be added in as a secondary driver. And your rates go up if he is the secondary driver. And if he has an accident your rates go up. And your insurance rating will be affected. Doesn't matter if he was the driver during the accident.

 

Don't kid yourself. If there's one industry that actually checks this stuff out, it's the insurance industry. Don't try and get away with him as an occasional driver if he really is the secondary driver.

 

Thank you, that was very helpful.

[Ms Darcy]

Agree! Yeah get him out of the driver's seat, regardless of your coverage. Does he even have a valid licence? Or DUIs? Why doesn't he have a car? More importantly, you let him move in and you don't know about his driving history or why he has no car?

 

Exactly! These are the legal and financial consequences I am thinking of.