Compare Unmarried Joint Ownership Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements in 2024 (Top 10 Companies)

Explore top companies as you compare unmarried joint ownership car insurance, including State Farm, USAA, and Progressive lead in rates and discounts. Find the best fit based on your driving record and coverage needs.

Can you add your fiancé to your auto insurance?

The sharing of a household by an unmarried couple is referred to as cohabitation. In a cohabitation situation, can you share insurance? The short answer is yes but with some caveats, which we’ll discuss in this and the following sections.

What is unmarried couple car insurance? Can I add my boyfriend to my car insurance? What about my girlfriend? My domestic partner? Should I add my significant other to my car insurance?  Unmarried couples can share car insurance coverage when they’re living in the same household or driving the same vehicle. (For more information, read our “Can I add my girlfriend to my car insurance policy?“).

There are stipulations your insurance provider may place on the policy, though these vary based on the number of cars being insured and the living situation.

Insurance providers often require that you list individuals living in your household on your insurance policy as a driver, regardless of marital status, because your provider assumes someone living in your home may operate your vehicle.

If you don’t want to list an individual on your policy and your provider discovers this omission, this could be a red flag they use to consider raising your rates or even not renewing your policy.

Your other option is to specify that the other person in your home is an excluded driver, which means they cannot operate your vehicle.

This label means they are not figured into your insurance coverage premiums, and your policy will not cover the loss if they do drive your vehicle.

Read More: Does car insurance cover excluded drivers?

When is it a good idea to share an insurance policy with your domestic partner?

If your partner lives with you, you share a vehicle, or they frequently drive your vehicle, it’s a good idea to consider sharing an insurance policy. Also, having multiple drivers (and often multiple vehicles) can mean policy discounts that reduce your rates.

The first step to joint car insurance for unmarried couples is understanding your car insurance policy. When considering the options, make sure to figure in any potential discounts for switching coverage or adding policies with your provider. Read this guide for steps you can take to get the right insurance for your needs.

If you’re looking for affordable joint car insurance for unmarried couples, compare car insurance quotes to find the best policy for your unique needs. Enter your ZIP code into our free rate comparison tool to get started.

When is a good idea to maintain separate car insurance policies?

If you don’t live together or don’t regularly use each other’s vehicles, it may not make sense to share a policy.

In some cases, it may cost you more to share a policy than to maintain separate coverage. For example, if your partner has a poor driving record or some other factor that designates them as high-risk (like poor credit), keeping your policies separate will probably save you money.

What options are there for unmarried couples needing to purchase car insurance?

There are two primary choices for shared insurance households as an unmarried couple; each of these options requires both individuals to be a named insured on the policy.

While your insurance policy may cover individuals that are not listed, a named insured is someone the insurance provider is aware of and can provide additional assistance or information to when a loss occurs.

• One option is to list each other on your respective policies if you own more than one car
• The other option is to have the owner of the shared car list the additional person as a driver

Each option will affect your coverage in different ways, meaning you may qualify for additional discounts or end up paying higher rates depending on how your policy changes.

When two households become one, at least from an insurance provider’s perspective, your policies are linked into one joint policy within a single.

Read more: Compare Joint Ownership Car Insurance

Any vehicles listed in the household are assumed to be driven by either household member.

Joining two households into one single household on a single policy works well when there’s at least one car per person; you are the primary driver of one, and your partner is the primary driver of the other. However, your insurance provider will consider you both additional drivers on the other vehicles.

There are other benefits to a single household policy, including:

• Easier claim resolution if you are driving another car from the household
• Earning additional discounts for purchasing other product lines
• Multi-car insurance discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same provider

Take a look at this table for specifics on how much you can save with multi-car discounts.

Your other option applies to instances where you only have one vehicle or where you and your partner have different insurance providers. For coverage to apply, you can list the other person on your policy as an additional driver, even if they are not in your household.

This provision is allowed since you are not insuring their vehicle; you are merely stating they may drive your car. If you want to purchase joint coverage, this is not the correct option.

How do you remove an individual or vehicle from your car insurance?

When it comes to changing your policy, removing an individual or a vehicle is fairly straightforward. This change can occur when you move out of the house or decide you are no longer a couple.

Removing a driver follows the same process as adding a driver. Contact your insurance provider to remove the individual from your policy. You can choose to remove a vehicle in the same way.

If you are currently sharing joint policies with another person, it’s important to make sure the other party has insurance before you cancel their coverage.

Even when two people decide to part ways, it’s important to end the agreement amicably.

Remember that your insurance provider may be providing you a discount if you have multiple policies, so be prepared for a possible increase if you remove a vehicle (or driver) from your insurance policy.

What are the pros and cons of joint car insurance for unmarried couples?

To help you decide if a joint policy is right for you and your partner, we’ve compiled some pros and cons of this approach.

Pros:

• You can save money with multi-vehicle, multi-driver, and even bundling discounts if you choose a joint policy
• A joint policy can be more convenient if you share a household with your partner, as you’ll receive and pay a single insurance bill, rather than separate ones

Cons:

• If your partner receives any driving citations, it will affect the overall cost of your insurance since you share a policy
• If you decide to end your relationship, separating insurance can be complicated depending on how the relationship ends, which partner is the primary holder of the policy, and whether you can agree on a specific timeframe for removing the individual/vehicle from your policy

Only you and your partner can decide if a joint policy is right for your needs. We have a few more tips for you, so keep reading for more.

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Exploring Real-World Insurance Solutions: Case Studies

In the dynamic landscape of car insurance, individual needs and preferences play a crucial role in determining the best coverage options. These case studies provide a glimpse into how different individuals and families navigate their unique insurance requirements.

From families adjusting to new drivers to professionals seeking tailored coverage and tech enthusiasts embracing digital solutions, each scenario sheds light on the practical application of insurance policies in everyday life. Let’s delve into these real-life examples to understand how various insurance companies meet distinct client needs.

Case Study 1: Expanding Family Coverage With Nationwide

The Johnson Family, residing in Columbus, Ohio, has been with Nationwide for their single-car policy since 2015. With their family expanding and the addition of a second car, they needed to reassess their insurance to ensure adequate coverage and cost-effectiveness.

The addition of a new driver, their 18-year-old son, and a second vehicle increased the complexity of their insurance needs. They were concerned about rising premiums and finding coverage that would cater to a young, inexperienced driver.

Nationwide was chosen for its family-friendly discounts and comprehensive coverage. They benefited from the multi-car discount of up to 25% and a safe-driver discount for their son, who completed a driver’s education course. Nationwide’s loyalty rewards also offered an advantage, as the Johnsons had been long-term customers.

The family saw a significant reduction in their overall insurance costs while maintaining robust coverage. Their son’s inclusion as a safe driver led to more affordable premiums, and the multi-car discount eased the financial burden of insuring an additional vehicle.

Case Study 2: Tailored Solutions With Farmers Insurance

Sarah Martinez, a freelance photographer in San Diego, required a customized insurance policy to cover her varied needs, including business and personal use of her vehicle.

Standard insurance policies did not adequately cover the nuances of Sarah’s requirements, especially considering the high value of photography equipment often transported in her vehicle.

Farmers Insurance stood out with its customized coverage options. Sarah worked with a Farmers agent who helped tailor a policy that included additional coverage for her equipment and a mix of personal and business use, leveraging the 20% safe-driver and 15% multi-car discounts.

Sarah secured an insurance policy that perfectly matched her unique situation, providing peace of mind for both personal and business travels. The customized coverage also ensured that her expensive equipment was adequately protected.

Case Study 3: Embracing Technology With Progressive

Mike Chen, a tech-savvy young professional from Austin, Texas, sought an insurance provider that offered advanced technological features and competitive pricing.

Mike wanted an insurer that could provide a modern, digital-first experience with features like mobile apps, online claim filing, and usage-based pricing.

Progressive’s advanced technological approach was ideal for Mike. He was drawn to their usage-based insurance program, Snapshot, which offered a potential discount based on driving habits. The 30% multi-car and 25% safe-driver discounts were additional perks.

Mike enjoyed a seamless digital experience with Progressive, from easy policy management through their app to discounts aligned with his safe driving habits. The tech-forward approach of Progressive resonated well with his lifestyle, offering both convenience and cost savings.

What are some final tips about joint car insurance for unmarried couples?

If you insure someone on your policy who has moved out or is no longer part of your household, your insurance provider may choose to take different courses of action.

This scenario does not include an added driver since these are people that may operate your car but do not need to live in your home.

There are a few reasons why someone may want to remain part of your household after they’ve moved, such as:

• Cheaper insurance pricing due to your address
• An inability to locate coverage through an alternative provider
• Discounts they qualify for with multiple policies

In many instances, if your insurance provider is aware that someone on your policy no longer lives in your household, an agent will update your policy by removing them and notifying you of the change.

However, according to the Insurance Information Institute, your insurer may also choose to pursue fraud charges if you’ve left this person on your policy for too long or if you’ve tried to claim losses that should not have been covered.

If a claim has already been paid out, your insurance provider may even require the settlement amount to be paid back.

Although uncommon, deliberately fraudulent activities can even lead to fines and jail time. If you have questions about insuring another person on your policy, speak to your insurance provider.

It’s better to check ahead of time instead of putting yourself in a potentially illegal position.

Joint Car Insurance for Unmarried Couples: The Bottom Line

Unmarried couples can purchase insurance coverage together (a joint policy), or they can alter their current policies to meet their needs.

With joint coverage, all your vehicles and both you and your partner are covered under a single policy, enabling you to have a single insurance bill. This may be difficult, however, if the primary policyholder doesn’t own all the vehicles.

If you live together and have multiple cars, purchasing multiple policies, and sharing a household through your insurance provider is another option.

This allows you to have a policy for each vehicle while ensuring you may drive any vehicle on the policies.

If you have only the one vehicle or are not living together, then listing the other person as an added driver may be your only choice.

Car insurance providers can list someone as an additional driver on your policy if you believe they will regularly operate your car.

Make sure to shop around for coverage before making your choice, regardless of which path you pursue. Some insurance providers offer better discounts for multiple lines of insurance or safe driving records, so compare three or four quotes beforehand.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Joint Car Insurance for Unmarried Couples

Do you still have questions about quotes for joint car insurance for unmarried couples? Read these frequently asked questions for more information.

#1 – Is there a Geico marriage discount?

No, there isn’t. However, Geico offers several other discounts.

#2 – Can I add my girlfriend to my car insurance if we’re living together, unmarried, and sharing a vehicle?

If you share a vehicle, you should both be listed on the insurance policy. One of you will be considered the primary policyholder, and it will be that person’s responsibility to work with the insurance company to add the other partner to the coverage.

#3 – Can I add my girlfriend to my car insurance if we’re living together, unmarried, but own and drive different vehicles?

If you each own your own vehicle, it will be difficult to purchase joint auto insurance. In most cases, the insurance company requires the primary policyholder to be the owner of both vehicles. In this situation, your best bet is to add each other as drivers on your respective insurance policies.

Ready to buy joint car insurance for unmarried couples? Enter your ZIP code in our free tool to begin comparing rates for joint car insurance for unmarried couples today and save on your rates.

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