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Should both my girlfriend and I be on the car title?

I am a 24-year-old male & my girlfriend is 25 years old. We live together. I am buying a used 2012 car. We will both be sharing & using the car to go to our jobs just a few miles from where we live. Should we both be on the car title? How does the insurance work? Should I get a policy in my name and then add my girlfriend to the policy?

Aug 21, 2019 Grand Ledge, MI

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Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

I would only put the title in one name — whoever will own and register the vehicle. Putting two people on the title may only complicate things unnecessarily and make it harder to sell. As far as the insurance goes, you would both need to be listed drivers on the policy if you share the vehicle and live together. This could be done regardless of who owns it. So yes, you can get a policy in your name and then add your girlfriend. See our guide to car insurance for unmarried couples for more information.  It also provides some insight into situations where it might not be a very wise decision to add your partner to your policy. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

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