If your roommate has a shaky driving record, you can leave them off your policy to avoid higher rates. Add them only if you share cars or might save with a multi-driver discount. Since credit and rates can change, compare quotes every six months to make sure you’re still getting the best deal.
Best Car Insurance for Roommates
- You and your roommate can share one car insurance policy if you live together and both drive the same cars.
- Most insurers require everyone of driving age who lives in your home to be listed on the policy.
Compare car insurance quotes to find the best coverage for your household by entering your ZIP code below to get started.
Reviewed By Renata Balasco
Edited By Beth Swanson
Can roommates share car insurance?
Living with a roommate is common. Car insurance for roommates is fairly straightforward, though rules and considerations may vary by provider. Some auto insurance companies require all driving-age individuals sharing an address to be added to the policy as a rated driver or an excluded driver. If your roommate is not listed as a rated driver, e.g., covered by the policy, the insurance company hasn’t had a chanc
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💡 Zebra tip:
Do I need to add my roommate to my car insurance?
If your roommate never drives your car, you usually don’t need to add them to your policy. However, some insurers want every driving-age person at your address listed either as a covered driver or an excluded driver.
Listing your roommate as an excluded driver tells your insurer they won’t be driving your car, which shouldn’t affect your rate. But if they ever do drive your car and get into an accident, your insurance won’t cover it. So if they’re listed as excluded, make sure they don’t drive your vehicle at all.
Get car insurance quotes for you and your roommate today!
How can I add my roommate to my car insurance?
Most policies will allow you to add any driver who lives in the same location as you to your policy. Call your agent to discuss your options, or enter your zip code above if you'd like to compare quotes from multiple companies. Below are key reasons to add your roommate to your car insurance policy.
Additional flexibility
If you add your roommate to your policy, you can share your vehicles. If your car breaks down and you need to borrow your roommate's vehicle for a week, you will be covered in the event of an accident. If you are listed as an excluded driver, you wouldn’t have coverage and couldn't drive their car.
Roommate car insurance discounts
When you add your roommate (and their vehicle) to your policy, you may become eligible for multi-car and multi-driver discounts. While the policy premium may increase, it will be proportionally cheaper than everyone covering their vehicle on separate policies. The table below outlines examples of savings you might see when having multiple policies.Â
Updating data...
| Homeowner Status | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Renter | $1,760 |
| Condo Owner | $1,730 |
| Home Owner | $1,728 |
| Renter With Multi-Policy | $1,677 |
| Condo Owner With Multi-Policy | $1,592 |
| Home Owner With Multi-Policy | $1,562 |
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
How to Shop for Car Insurance in 5 Easy Steps
Finding cheap car insurance quickly and easily can be tough. Reference our guide for tips and tricks to find the right auto insurance policy for you.
When to keep roommates' car insurance policies separate
Alternatively, it could make sense to keep your car insurance policy separate from your roommate's.
If your roommate drives an expensive car
If you drive a Toyota Corolla but your roommate drives a Lamborghini, you should expect a significant difference in your premiums. Your insurance company has to account for the financial risk of insuring such a high-value car by charging an expensive premium. If you’re worried about footing the bill for their fancy car, consider sticking to your own policy.
If you don't share cars
If your roommate isn't going to use your vehicle, there's no reason to add them to your auto insurance policy. Adding another driver — even your roommate — will increase your premium.Â
If your roommate has a bad driving record
If your roommate has a bad driving record, i.e., lots of at-fault accidents or citations, your bill will be higher if they're on your policy. Keeping your policy separate would avoid your being penalized for their driving mistakes.
If your roommate has poor credit
Most insurance companies (except in states with laws preventing it) use credit scores as a factor in setting premiums. A low credit score can negatively impact car insurance premiums. If all other metrics are constant, a driver with "excellent" credit (800-850) could potentially pay $1,641 less than a driver in the "poor" credit tier (300-579). Below are average monthly and annual rates for different credit tiers.
Updating data...
| Credit Tier | Avg. Annual Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | $1,506 | $125 |
| Very Good | $1,627 | $136 |
| Good | $1,760 | $147 |
| Average | $1,913 | $159 |
| Fair | $2,071 | $173 |
| Fair to Below Fair | $2,250 | $188 |
| Below Fair | $2,461 | $205 |
| Below Fair to Poor | $2,730 | $228 |
| Poor | $3,147 | $262 |
| Worst | $3,836 | $320 |
Source: The Zebra
Agent insight: To include or exclude a driver?
"People sometimes misunderstand policy exclusions, especially when it comes to household members. Many assume that if someone in their house doesn’t drive their vehicle, they don’t need to list or exclude them on the policy.
However, if someone lives in the household and is of driving age, they need to be either included or officially excluded from the policy since they have regular access to the vehicle. This applies to both family members and roommates."
-Samantha McGee, Manager and Licensed Insurance Agent at The ZebraÂ
Renters insurance and roommates
Sharing a renters, homeowners, or condo insurance policy with your roommate can help you save money, especially if you bundle it with your car insurance through the same company. Bundling can earn you a discount, and splitting the cost makes coverage more affordable for both of you.
That said, sharing a policy isn’t always the best move. Any claim your roommate files could raise your premium, and you’ll also share the same coverage limits. If both of your belongings are damaged or stolen, there might not be enough coverage to replace everything.
Renters Insurance Quotes
Learn more about renters insurance and how to get quotes
The bottom line
Sharing car insurance with a roommate can be a smart way to save money, as long as you both drive each other’s vehicles and live at the same address. Just make sure everyone in your household is clearly listed on the policy, whether as a covered or excluded driver.
If you’re unsure what makes the most sense for your situation, compare quotes from multiple insurers. It’s the easiest way to see whether sharing or keeping separate policies will give you the best rate and protection.
Compare car insurance quotes to find the right fit for your household; just enter your ZIP code below to get started.
Receive quotes tailored to your driving profile in just a few minutes.
Car insurance and roommate FAQs:
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In this situation, it can depend. When a driver is excluded from a car insurance policy, this means they are not covered to drive your vehicle. Your insurance company is no longer responsible if the claim was caused by an excluded driver. The good news is, in most situations when a driver is rear-e…
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.