Should I add my teenager to my auto insurance policy? (Expert Advice for 2026)

Once your child turns 16, you might wonder, should I add my teenager to my auto insurance policy? While your rates will increase, you’ll get cheap auto insurance if you add a teen to your insurance rather than getting a separate policy.

You may even qualify for a multi-vehicle auto insurance discount for insuring more than one car if you buy your teen a vehicle.

To find the best auto insurance coverage for your teen driver, enter your ZIP code above and compare quotes from the best auto insurance companies in your area.

Deciding Whether You Should Add Your Teenager to Your Auto Insurance Policy

So, should I add my teen driver to my auto insurance policy?

Yes, it’s usually best to include your teenager on your policy rather than purchase coverage from a different company. The top providers offer significant savings to auto insurance policyholders who bundle multiple policies, and you can see a discount of up to 45% by adding a teen to your auto policy. Read more about how to save money by bundling insurance policies.

Some reasons why auto insurance costs more for young drivers are their lack of driving experience and higher likelihood of driving distracted.

Take a look at how much you might pay for teen auto insurance coverage by itself:

Minimum Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates for Teen Drivers

As you can see, teen drivers have higher rates because they are inexperienced. So, it’s always best to add teen drivers to a parent’s policy.

Understanding if You Have to Add Your Child to Car Insurance

While it’s usually best to add a teen to your insurance, you might wonder if you have to add them to your car insurance and what happens if you don’t. Your child must be on your auto insurance policy if they live in the same household and have access to your vehicles.

So, when is the best time to add your teen to your car insurance policy? Generally, you’ll want to add them when they get their permit or driver’s license.

What happens if I don’t add my teenager to my car insurance? Any claims involving your teen could be denied if you don’t add them to your policy or secure coverage elsewhere. Compare rates from the best auto insurance companies for teens to find the lowest cost.

Other Ways to Save on Teen Auto Insurance Rates

If adding a teen to your auto policy isn’t enough to get cheap rates, various other factors affect auto insurance rates, such as discounts. Here are some other ways you can save on car insurance for a teen:

• Add Them to Your Policy: While you don’t have to add your teenager to your own policy, you’d have to get coverage elsewhere, which could be more expensive. Consider adding your child to your auto insurance for the lowest rates.
• Encourage Good Grades: Most top providers offer a good student auto insurance discount to students with a 3.0 GPA (B average) or higher. So, you might save on teen auto insurance if your child has good grades.
• Consider Driver’s Education Courses: You could also have your teen take a driver’s education course to save on car insurance. Some companies will give teens a driver’s ed auto insurance discount for completion.
• Explore Usage-Based Insurance: Usage-based auto insurance (UBI) monitors your driving habits and offers a discount based on how well you drive. So, you could get cheap car insurance for a teen if your teen is a safe driver.
• Look for Other Discounts: Various other teen auto insurance discounts, such as an anti-theft auto insurance discount or low mileage auto insurance discount, can help them save on coverage.

Don’t feel bound to stay with your insurance company if they won’t give you a good rate to add your teenager to your policy. In most cases, they’ll work with you. They may even offer the same auto insurance discounts you get for bundling insurance policies with them.

However, if your insurance company charges outrageous rates for your coverage because you have a teenage driver, don’t be afraid to shop around for the best auto insurance for teenage drivers.

More About Adding a Teen to Your Auto Policy

If you’re helping a teen driver get their first license, adding a teen to your auto insurance policy is the best route to save on coverage, as you could reduce your rates by up to 45%.

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— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) June 26, 2023

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