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While turning 18 is a major milestone on the path toward financial independence, it's common to need some extra time and support from family in the form of insurance. Understanding this, auto insurers typically allow drivers to stay on their parents' car insurance as long as they live with them or attend college full time.
Rules can vary, however. For example, you might have to drive a car your parents own to stay covered. You have the right to get your own car insurance as an adult, but it may not be the most cost-effective option as a new driver.
How Long Can I Stay on My Parents' Car Insurance?
Unlike other forms of insurance, including health insurance, there's no age limit for staying on a parent's car insurance plan. You can stay on your parents' car insurance policy indefinitely as long as you remain living with them, or if you're going to college and will be a full-time student.
Depending on the state they live in and their insurance policy, you may be required to drive their vehicle to remain on their policy, or you may be allowed to drive a car you own. Typically, young drivers switch to their own policies once they've moved out of their family home, have their first jobs and cars and develop financial independence.
Can I Stay on My Parents' Car Insurance if I'm Away at College?
When you move away to be a full-time college student, you can stay on your parents' car insurance policy if their address still serves as your primary residence or permanent address—even if you bring a car with you to school.
Some insurers offer special discounted options for college students, including those who only drive occasionally when they're back home visiting.
Can I Stay on My Parents' Car Insurance if They're Divorced?
Divorce can make things more complicated, but they are common enough that car insurance companies know how to navigate it and make sure you're still covered. If you primarily live with one parent and drive their car, it's important that you're a listed driver on their insurance policy.
But if you go back and forth staying with both parents—and driving each of their cars—both of your parents should list you as a driver on their car insurance policies. Situations and options can vary, so it's best for your parents to check with their insurance companies to make sure you have adequate coverage.
Can I Stay on My Parents' Car Insurance if I Move Out?
If you move away from your parents' home for a reason other than college, you generally can't stay on their car insurance policy.
It's possible that you can stay on their auto insurance policy if you have your own vehicle and don't live with them, though it depends on your state and the insurance company. Plus, if eligible, you have to keep your car at your parents' residence. Once you start keeping your car elsewhere, you need your own insurance policy.
If you've moved away from home but then come back to live there again with your own car, you may have the option to rejoin their policy or have your own.
Can I Stay on My Parents' Car Insurance if I'm Married?
Yes, you can usually stay on your parents' car insurance policy if you get married. To remain on their plan, however, you and your spouse need to live at the same primary residence as your parents. Your spouse might be able to join you on your parents' policy if you all live together.
If you and your spouse live with your parents and drive their car, you can be listed drivers on their policy. If you own your own car, you can choose whether to be on their policy or to get your own policy. Should you purchase your own car and policy, note that all drivers who live at the same address—including your parents—need to be listed on both policies.
Is It Cheaper to Stay on My Parents' Car Insurance?
Younger drivers pose more of a financial risk to car insurance companies since they have less experience on the road and might have more risk-taking tendencies. Teenagers and drivers in their early 20s typically have higher accident rates—and therefore more claims for insurers to pay.
Because of this, if a young adult under age 25 is on their own car insurance policy, premiums can be steep. The cost may be lower if they remain on their parents' auto insurance since it reduces risk and the costs can be shared, and there might be bundling discounts for insuring multiple drivers together.
According to data from Progressive, the average monthly rate for car insurance is highest for those age 18 ($271.92). It begins to decrease gradually every few years; premiums go down for those ages 19 to 20 ($242.40), again for those ages 21 to 22 ($215.04), and even lower for those ages 23 to 24 ($189.78). By the time drivers are in the age range of 25 to 29, monthly rates average $168.86.
Can I Stay on My Parents' Car Insurance if I Own My Own Car?
In short, it depends. If you live with your parents, you can likely remain on their policy as long as you drive one of their vehicles.
Some states and insurers do allow you to be covered if you live with your parents and drive a car you own. But some locations and companies require you to buy your own policy if you drive your own car, regardless of whether you live with your parents.
If you live at home but have, or want to have, your own vehicle while remaining covered, talk to your parents to find out their policy's rules on car ownership. Should their current policy not allow coverage for vehicles you own, you could suggest they shop around and find one that does rather than renewing their existing coverage. However, parents do have the right to remove their children from their policy if the costs are too high to keep them on into adulthood.
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The Bottom Line
If you don't meet the qualifications to stay on your parents' car insurance, it might cost you more to be insured, but it's not the end of the world. Experian's free car insurance comparison tool makes it easy to compare car insurance policies from many major companies, and keep in mind that there are many types of discounts you may be eligible for to bring down the costs.