Is auto insurance per car or per person??
Auto insurance is primarily per car. You can add additional cars to your policy. The national average rate of auto insurance is around $129/mo.
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Car insurance is generally designed for the individual vehicle, but there are a lot of different factors that go into your car insurance premiums, including:
- how many cars you own
- your driving history
- the driving histories of any additional drivers you wish to add to your policy
If you’ve recently purchased a new car and/or sold your old car, you can get quick quotes with the help of our car insurance comparison tool. Just enter your zip code above.
- Car insurance is primarily per car
- You can add additional cars to your car insurance policy
- There are discounts available for drivers that own more than one vehicle
- If you need a new car insurance policy for your vehicles, you can use a comparison tool to quickly find coverage
Cars and Insurance
When it comes to car insurance, the make, model, year, modifications and crash, safety and theft records are all taken into consideration by the insurance carrier.
For this reason, car insurance policies are written for specific cars.
If you buy an additional car, it can be added to your policy, but the rates for that car will be calculated, according to the additional car’s specifications.
- Car Value – Your car’s overall value will factor into your car insurance rates. In general, cars that cost more increase insurance rates because they cost more to repair or replace after a car accident.
- Modifications – If you perform modifications to your car, like custom paint, increasing the horsepower and making expensive stylistic changes to the body, your insurance carrier may increase the value of your car, which will increase your car insurance rates.
- Crash and Safety Records – If the car you own or a car you are thinking about purchasing has less than stellar crash test ratings, you can expect to pay more for your car insurance because cars with poor test ratings result in more injuries and more damage to the vehicle.
- Theft Records – Certain cars are stolen more often than others. If your car has a high theft record, you could pay more for car insurance.
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Other Factors that Affect Car Insurance Rates
While the type of car you drive and its history is the starting point for insurance policies, it is not the only factor.
Here are some other factors considered:
- your driving history
- your credit score
- past claims, age
- your marital status
- the location of your car
Car insurance calculated per car or per person also takes into account whether you plan to add drivers to your policy. Their driving histories and records will influence your premiums. It is mandatory to pay for car insurance, whether it depends on the car or the person.
Adding a Car to Your Insurance Policy
If you purchase a new or new-to-you vehicle, you will need to add it to your insurance policy because the new car may have different determining factors for your insurance premium, and you may not be covered if you drive that car without adding it to your policy.
The good news is that if you purchase an additional vehicle and your insurance company is closed or unavailable, many policies will still cover the new car for a few days. This gives you time to contact your insurer and add the vehicle. The average car insurance cost for one individual varies, but having car insurance for both the car and the individual ensures coverage. Whether you need car insurance for a single driver or multiple drivers, it’s important to update your policy promptly.
When you add a vehicle to your existing insurance policy, you might qualify for a multi-car discount, which can reduce your insurance costs.
Car insurance for an individual driver can benefit from this, as the car insurance rates determined by the policy may be lower. It’s important to remember that you need to pay for car insurance to maintain coverage.
Car Insurance and Renting a Vehicle
While car insurance is designed primarily for the specific car, you may be able to rent a car without purchasing additional rental car coverage.
For many drivers, the same coverage they carry on their daily car transfers to any rental car they may need.
To find out if your current policy includes coverage for rental cars, it’s advisable to contact your insurance company directly. If you need a policy where the driver is insured under the policy and covers rental cars, you can begin by using a car insurance comparison tool. This tool can help you determine whether the insurance coverage is based on the car or the driver and ensure you have appropriate car insurance per vehicle.
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Purchasing a Car Insurance Policy You Can Afford
If you are having trouble finding a car insurance policy that you can afford, you can use the services of an auto insurance comparison tool.
These tools allow you to put in all the information for every vehicle you own as well as the information for yourself and any additional drivers.
After you input all the necessary details, the tool will scan for available policies in your area that fit your criteria. You can then review the options to see if the premiums align with your budget. This process helps in comparing family car insurance versus individual insurance policies and understanding whether car insurance is based on the vehicle or the individual. You’ll also find options for car insurance tailored for one person.
When you find a policy that meets all of your needs, you can generally purchase the policy directly online and print out the policy’s information. Once the policy is active, you and all your vehicles and drivers are covered.
Compare car insurance quotes today by entering your zip code below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is auto insurance coverage determined on a per-car basis or a per-person basis?
Auto insurance coverage is mainly determined on a per-vehicle basis rather than per person. When you obtain auto insurance, you are insuring the specific vehicle and the associated liabilities from its use. The details and terms of coverage can differ based on the insurance provider and the chosen policy. Essentially, insurance is determined per vehicle or per person, with insurance per automobile catering to the vehicle itself and insurance for individual drivers covering their driving needs.
Are there any situations where auto insurance coverage extends to the driver or passengers?
While auto insurance is primarily focused on the vehicle, there are situations where coverage can extend to the driver or passengers, depending on the policy and jurisdiction. For example, some auto insurance policies may include personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payment coverage, which can help cover medical expenses for the driver and passengers involved in an accident, regardless of fault.
Can multiple drivers be covered under a single auto insurance policy?
Yes, multiple drivers can typically be covered under a single auto insurance policy. When insuring a vehicle, you may have the option to list multiple drivers who have permission to drive the insured vehicle. However, it’s important to note that the insurance premium may be influenced by factors such as the drivers’ ages, driving records, and other relevant details.
Are there any restrictions on who can drive an insured vehicle?
The specific restrictions on who can drive an insured vehicle can vary depending on the insurance policy and the terms set by the insurance provider. Generally, the policyholder and any listed drivers with permission are covered. However, policies may have exclusions for unlicensed drivers or individuals specifically excluded from coverage.
How can I find a car insurance policy that I can afford?
If you’re having trouble finding an affordable car insurance policy, you can use an auto insurance comparison tool. These tools allow you to enter your vehicle and driver information, and they will search for available policies that meet your criteria. Once you find a suitable policy, you can generally purchase it online and print out the policy’s information.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.