Adding a Friend to Your Car Insurance Policy – Weighing the Pros and Cons (2025)
Weighing the Pros and Cons of adding a friend to your car insurance policy. What you need to know. Find out the benefits and risks of adding a friend to your car insurance. Learn how it can lower your insurance costs but also increase your liability. Discover the steps to add a friend to your policy and the importance of informing your insurer about additional drivers.
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Former Licensed Insurance Producer
Laura Berry has experience as a licensed producer selling life, health, and property insurance coverage for both Allstate and State Farm. She has dedicated many hours to helping her clients understand the insurance marketplace so they could find the best car, home, and life insurance products for their circumstances. While she currently helps businesses take advantage of the federal R&D tax...
Laura Berry
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Tracey L. Wells
Updated January 2025
Are you considering adding a friend to your car insurance policy? It’s a decision that comes with both benefits and risks. In this comprehensive guide on “Adding a Friend to Your Car Insurance Policy,” we’ll explore the pros and cons of this action, highlighting how it can potentially lower your insurance costs but also increase your liability.
We’ll discuss the steps involved in adding a friend to your policy and emphasize the importance of notifying your insurer about additional drivers. To ensure you make the right choices and find the best insurance rates, use our free quote comparison tool. Simply enter your zip code to compare rates from the top insurance providers in your area.
When can you add a friend to your auto insurance policy?
If you should find yourself lending your car to a friend or maybe letting an acquaintance drive your car on a trip, you need to let your insurance company know about these occurrences, before they happen. You probably gave your insurance company an account of family members when you first got your policy and that is a good thing. Keep your carrier up to date on anyone new that will be driving your car.
You should contact your insurer and ask if they offer this service. You will be required to provide a driver’s license number and date of birth of the person you want to add as a driver on your policy.
If your insurance company allows it, take the time to add a friend to your auto insurance if you know they’ll be driving your car on a regular basis.
Don’t be tempted to skip this step, and then just let your friends drive your car. This could get you into a lot of trouble.
What if I don’t add my friend to the insurance policy?
The person that you let drive your car could wind up in an accident. Your car insurance company knows this and they don’t want it to happen. That is why they may try to dissuade you from allowing anyone not regularly covered on your policy to drive your car. Even if the person driving your car got into an accident that wasn’t their fault it may be impossible to get a claim honored for that situation. A good rule of thumb is to let your insurance company know, beforehand, about anyone that will be driving your car.
How does not adding my friend affect claims?
It is usually big trouble to let someone drive your car that is not covered by your insurance, period. Every claim is investigated and if you file a claim and it is discovered that someone other than you was doing the driving when an accident occurs, you may find yourself without any coverage at all.
Your insurance company is not required in any way to cover someone that you let operate your vehicle without notifying them beforehand. You will have security and peace of mind by telling your insurance company about any drivers of your vehicle before you let them drive.
If the worst case scenario happens and your friend gets into an accident you will be able to file a legitimate claim and know that all the bases are covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a friend to my car insurance policy?
Yes, you can add a friend to your car insurance policy. However, it’s important to understand the pros and cons before doing so.
What are the pros of adding a friend to my car insurance policy?
The main benefit of adding a friend to your car insurance policy is that it can lower the cost of insurance for both of you. Insurance companies typically offer discounts to drivers who have multiple cars on the same policy. Additionally, if your friend is a safe driver with a good driving record, it can lower your overall insurance rate.
What are the cons of adding a friend to my car insurance policy?
The biggest con of adding a friend to your car insurance policy is that you will be responsible for any damages or accidents that they cause while driving your car. This means that if your friend gets into an accident, it could raise your insurance premiums or cause your coverage to be cancelled. Additionally, if your friend has a poor driving record, it could increase your overall insurance rate.
What should I consider before adding a friend to my car insurance policy?
Before adding a friend to your car insurance policy, you should consider their driving record, their history of accidents or tickets, and their level of responsibility. You should also consider the cost of adding them to your policy versus having them get their own policy.
How do I add a friend to my car insurance policy?
To add a friend to your car insurance policy, you will need to contact your insurance provider and provide them with your friend’s information, such as their name, address, and driver’s license number. Your insurance provider will then be able to provide you with a quote for adding your friend to your policy.
Can I remove a friend from my car insurance policy if I change my mind?
Yes, you can remove a friend from your car insurance policy if you change your mind. However, you should be aware that there may be a penalty or fee for doing so. Additionally, if your friend has been involved in an accident while on your policy, it could still impact your insurance rates even after they have been removed from your policy.
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