When you buy car insurance, your company asks about everyone who lives with you. That includes your spouse, your adult kids and your roommate, even if they never touch your car. It can feel nosy. Here’s why they ask, and what you can do about someone who really doesn’t drive.
Why insurance companies ask about everyone at home
Ohio car and home insurance
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Your car is parked where everyone in your home can get to it. Keys sit on the counter. In the eyes of an insurance company, anyone who lives with you could drive your car at some point, so they want to know who those people are.
The Maryland Insurance Administration explains it this way: an insurer can charge, under its filed rules, for every licensed driver in your home, including those with learner’s permits, unless that driver has been excluded from the policy. Rules differ from state to state, but most companies ask the same questions for the same reason.
What can happen if you leave someone off
This is where it can hurt. The same Maryland guidance warns that some auto policies won’t pay for damage to your car (collision and other physical damage coverage) if the driver lives with you and wasn’t disclosed, even if that person had your permission. Whether that applies depends on the wording of your policy.
So leaving someone off to keep the price down can backfire. If that person drives your car and has an accident, you could be stuck with the repair bill.
“But they don’t drive.” What are your options?
There are good reasons someone in your home might not drive:
- They don’t have a license.
- They have their own car and their own insurance.
- They’re away at school or serving in the military.
- They’ve given up driving because of age or health.
Tell your agent about each person and their situation. Depending on your company and your state, a household member who doesn’t drive your car may be:
- Listed but not rated, which means they’re on the record but don’t affect your price.
- Excluded, which means they’re named on the policy as someone who is not covered to drive your cars.
Be careful with excluding a driver
Excluding a driver can lower your price if that person has a poor driving record. Progressive notes that an excluded driver isn’t covered to drive any car on your policy, so any accident they have in your car won’t be covered. Not every state allows excluded drivers, and some states put limits on it.
Only exclude someone if you’re sure they will never drive your car, not even to run to the store.
What to tell your agent
When you set up or review your policy, have this ready for each person 15 or older who lives with you:
- Name and date of birth
- Whether they have a license or permit
- Whether they have their own car and insurance
- Whether they’ll ever drive your car
Then let your agent sort out how each person should be listed. That’s our job.
The bottom line
Listing everyone in your home isn’t about charging you more. It’s about making sure your coverage holds up when you need it. Be upfront, ask about your options for people who don’t drive, and get the setup in writing.
Want us to look over who’s on your policy? Call or text us at 330-486-8404. We work with multiple top-rated carriers, and we’ll try to save you money while making sure everyone in your home is set up the right way.
Kaufman Insurance Group is an Ohio-based independent agency with agency licenses in Ohio and North Carolina. Contact us to shop multiple top carriers.
FAQs
Why does my insurance company want to know about people who don’t drive?
Anyone who lives with you could get to your car keys. Your insurance company wants to know who those people are so it can price and cover your policy the right way.
What happens if I don’t list someone in my household?
It depends on your policy. Some policies won’t pay for damage to your car if a driver who lives with you wasn’t disclosed. Tell your agent about everyone in your home.
Can I exclude someone from my car insurance?
In many states, yes, but not in all of them. An excluded driver isn’t covered to drive any car on your policy, so only exclude someone who will never drive your car.
Does a household member with their own car and insurance raise my rate?
It depends on the company. Tell your agent they have their own car and insurance, and ask how they should be listed.
Sources
- Maryland Insurance Administration, “Licensed Drivers in Your Household”
- Progressive, “What Is an Excluded Driver?”
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