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What happens if I don't add my 16-year-old to my car insurance policy?

What are the consequences if I don't insure my teenage son? My son is in the process of getting his license. Given the astronomical rates for insuring male teenagers, I'm not keen on adding him to my policy.

avatar
Sophie Newman · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Most
car insurance policies
will require that you add any licensed driver in your household to your policy, especially if they will be driving your vehicle.
Some states may have laws allowing certain drivers in your household to be excluded from your policy, but this exclusion is rarely applied to teen drivers living with their parents. If your teenager will ever drive your car at all, you need to include them on your coverage.
In the worst-case scenario, failing to include your teen driver on your car insurance policy could lead to your insurance provider denying you coverage if your child gets into an accident while driving your vehicle.
It's also important to note that many insurers will not sell a policy to anyone who's under the age of 18 without a parent or guardian as a cosigner (although they may make an exception for an emancipated minor).
Keep in mind: It’s usually less expensive to add a teen driver to your own policy than it would be for them to have their own. And while an increase in insurance rates may be unpleasant, remember that this is only temporary until he reaches adulthood.
Adding a young driver can be expensive, but you can find better deals by shopping around for
car insurance quotes
with a comparison app like
Jerry
.
View full answer 
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