policy can either increase or decrease your auto insurance rates depending on their driving record and overall experience. Comparing quotes from several insurance companies beforehand can help you lower your costs.

Adding a driver to your car insurance policy can either raise or lower your costs

Car insurance companies

calculate rates based on several factors

, such as your driving history, age, location, and more. When you put an additional driver on your policy, it can change the amount you pay on your premiums.

That being said, a driver only needs to be added to your policy under certain circumstances. These might include:

Teen driver

: If your teen recently got their learner’s permit and uses your car often, they should be put on your insurance. Keep in mind that young drivers can increase your premiums due to their high crash risk rate and lack of driving experience.

Spouse: If you and your spouse share a vehicle, they are required to be on your policy. In fact, some insurers will require you to be on the same policy even if you and your spouse don’t share a car. Luckily, you could see a

dip in their car insurance rates

, even if you add them.

Roommate: Sharing a car insurance policy with your roommate can help you save on car insurance, especially if they use your vehicle frequently. However, their record and credit history can impact your rates negatively.

Family members: Any family members, such as your parents or siblings, who live with you and share your car must be included in your coverage.

Senior drivers

in their 50s and 60s may qualify you for cheaper rates.

It can be difficult to know exactly how much your car insurance premiums will change when you bring on a new driver—not all insurance providers or states use the same criteria, and even still, your costs will also shift based on your own habits.

However, it isn’t entirely impossible. Before adding a driver to your existing policy, use the

Jerry

app to preview your potential costs.

Add a new driver into your Jerry profile by inputting their driver’s license number, date of birth, and relationship to you.

Once you have all the necessary information, you can compare quotes in the app from several car insurance providers at once to see the impact on your rates.

Learn more:

Why did my car insurance rates go up?

When you shouldn’t add a driver to your car insurance policy

Generally, you only ever need to add a driver to your policy if they live with you and share a vehicle with you. If a friend or family member borrows your car infrequently, or doesn’t live at your current address, they’ll be covered under permissive use.

Along with residency, there are a few other times when you shouldn’t include someone as a named driver on your car insurance:

They have a poor driving record:

High-risk drivers

experience some of the highest car insurance rates. Drivers with speeding violations can see up to a 28% increase in their premiums, whereas those with DUIs can see their rates rise by up to 83%.

They don’t use your car often: While friends or family members who use your car every so often will be covered under permissive use, it’s also worth having them consider other options, such as a

non-owners policy

to avoid potentially higher premium costs.

You own a luxury car: Luxury cars are already expensive for car insurance due to their rare parts and high risk for theft and vandalism. Adding another driver to your policy could raise your rates even more, costing you more down the line.

Need to know: Don’t avoid adding a driver who needs to be on your policy just to prevent rising car insurance costs. If they’re ever involved in an accident and don’t have coverage, either of their own or under you, your provider may refuse to pay for damages or injuries.

When you include someone as a secondary driver on your policy, they’re protected under your insurance coverage when using your car. Sharing a policy, however, usually means that both your vehicle and theirs are under the same policy with the same provider.

Learn more:

Can you drive someone else’s car?

How to save on car insurance if your rates go up after adding a driver

1. Shop for car insurance frequently

Consistently shopping for car insurance, even with an active policy, can help you make sure you don’t miss out on any potential savings opportunities.

With the Jerry app, you can compare car insurance quotes at any time, and if you find one you like, you can make the switch in only a few minutes.

Please note that images featured in this article are for staging purposes only.

2. Look for discounts

Car insurance discounts

can lower your costs by up to 22% with some providers. Several insurers offer good student discounts, good driver, and bundling opportunities to help you save on insurance. Here are a few of the top discounts across most providers:

Safe driver

: Drivers who maintain a

clean driving record

for a specific number of years can earn savings on their premiums.

Multi-policy: Policyholders with multiple policies with the same insurer, such as car insurance and homeowners insurance, can earn discounts by bundling or for having more than one active policy.

Paid-in-full: If you pay your premium in its entirety upfront, then you can have a certain amount taken off your rate.

Paperless: You can receive a discount for opting into paperless billing.

Be aware that discount amounts and eligibility will vary from provider to provider. Contact your insurance agent to determine discount criteria and savings limits.

3. Raise your deductible

Drivers can also raise their deductible limits to lower their overall premium costs. Most deductibles are between $250–$500. A higher deductible amount of $1,000 or $1,500, however, means that less money is paid out on your insurer’s behalf in the event of a car accident.

That being said, it’s wise to only increase your limit to an amount that you can realistically afford to pay. Anything higher than your budget could expose you to financial vulnerability if the other driver chooses to file an insurance claim—and impact your assets.

FAQs

Is it better to add more drivers on your policy?

You should add a driver to your policy if they live with you and frequently use your vehicle. The number of drivers you include on your policy will increase your premiums, but you should still add them if they’ll be using your car.

What happens if a driver is not listed on insurance?

Car insurance generally follows the car, and not the driver. If the driver isn’t listed on your insurance and gets into a car accident, your insurance policy will kick in first before any coverage they have.

Is it cheaper to have two people on one insurance policy?

This depends on the secondary driver’s profile. If they have a poor driving history, are a young driver, or have a bad credit score, this can negatively affect your premiums. However, if they’re over 25 and have a clean driving record, then you may not see a large change.

How does car insurance work with multiple people?

When multiple people are on the same policy, the premiums you pay are based on each driver’s risk factors. Your car insurance will still operate the same, but may be more costly.

Does it cost more to add a second driver to your insurance?

Typically, yes. You pay more to add a second driver, regardless of their driving profile. The exact amount, however, varies depending on their calculated risk.

Can my husband drive my car if he’s not on my insurance?

Your husband can drive your vehicle even if he’s not on your car insurance. However, most couples find more savings by sharing a policy, as marital status can lower your rates.

Can I remove a driver from my car insurance policy?

You can remove a driver from your car insurance policy whenever you deem necessary. They can also be listed as an excluded driver if you deem them too risky to include on your policy.