How Long Can You Stay on Your Parents' Car Insurance Policy?

You can stay on your parents' policy if you share the same address and vehicles.
Compare insurance quotes to ensure you and your parents aren't being overcharged.

Why you can trust The Zebra

The Zebra partners with some of the companies we write about. However, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of editors and licensed agents. Reference our data methodology and learn more about how we make money.

By Ava Lynch

Updated December 1, 2023

Edited By Renata Balasco

Table of contents:

When can I stay on my parents' policy
How to get your own policy at your parents house
Should I get my own policy
Saving money when staying on your parents' policy
FAQs

How long can I stay on my parents' car insurance?

You can remain on your parent's auto insurance policy as long as you reside at the address and use the vehicles listed on their policy. Unlike health insurance, you do not “age out” of an auto insurance policy. Read on to learn more details about when you can and can't remain on their insurance as well as how to get your own policy while still living at their house.

Key Takeaways:

You can stay on your parent's auto insurance as long as you reside at the address and use the vehicles listed on their policy (although many companies will let you even if you own your own car).
You can have your own insurance policy while living at your parent's house, but you should still be listed as an excluded driver on their policy.
Unless your parents have a poor driving record, it is usually cheaper to be listed on their policy than have your own.
Maximize savings by avoiding claims, optimizing coverage, capitalizing on discounts, and comparing quotes.

When can I stay on my parent's car insurance?

Usually, you remain eligible for coverage on your parents’ policy if you still live with them full-time. However, there are exceptions. See the following chart for the scenarios when you likely will and won't be eligible to remain on their policy.

You Can Stay On Your Parent's Insurance If...	You Need Your Own Policy if...
You are headed to college and don't plan to drive while you're there. You are headed to college and are living at home. Your car is in your name but you are still live at home. You split your time between divorced parents (you must be on both of their policies even if the time split between each parent is uneven).	You are headed to college and plan to drive while you're there. You move out of your parent's house and own your own vehicle. You are married but living with your parents and own your own car

Please note that these are just general guidelines. It's essential to discuss your situation directly with your parents' insurance company. They can provide you with information accurate to their unique policies and help you determine whether you need to obtain your own car insurance based on your specific situation.

Can I get my own car insurance policy at my parents’ house?

Yes — but not always with the same company as your parents. Some car insurance companies do not like writing two policies for one listed residence. In the eyes of an insurance company, you are likely to use your parents’ vehicle if you live on the premises.

If you find another insurance company for yourself (learn how here), remove or exclude yourself from your parents’ policy. Car insurance companies want every individual above driving age to either be listed or excluded on the policy. If you live at the listed address, have a valid driver's license, but won't use the vehicles insured on your parents' policy, you need to be listed as an excluded driver.

Should I stay on my parents' car insurance or get my own?

Unless your parents have a poor driving record, it is usually cheaper to be listed on their policy than to have your own. Your parents' years of driving experience will help lower the premium. However, it's important to confirm this with the insurance company and compare the costs of being added to their policy versus having your own. We recommend gathering quotes from multiple companies as each insurer will weigh your unique driving profile differently.

While cost is an important factor, it is worth considering if there are factors you value above financial savings. For example, some see getting their own policy as a non-negotiable step toward independence. Ultimately, whether it's better to get your own policy is up to your priorities and unique situation.

Saving money when you're on your parents' policy

If you’re worried about increasing your parents’ bill, below are five cost-cutting solutions worth considering.

1. Avoid claims

Rate increases can have major impacts on your and your parents’ insurance premiums. You should always weigh the pros and cons of filing a claim. Bear in mind, if you damage someone else’s vehicle and they prefer to file a claim through insurance, not filing a claim is no longer an option. Furthermore, many companies require you to report any damage or accidents, even those where you are not at fault. While this will not have as large of a financial impact, it can increase your rates.

Zebra Tip: Use our Claims Calculator to Decide Whether to File a Claim

All you have to do is get an estimate for repairs and enter details about your accident and insurance coverage. Our Insurance Claims Calculator using our State of Auto Insurance report does the rest!

2. Be smart with your coverage

If your vehicle is worth less than $4,000, consider carrying only the legally required minimum liability insurance. Paying for comprehensive and collision coverage, to protect the physical integrity of a vehicle valued less than $4,000 is likely not worth it.

Zebra Tip: Determine the value of your vehicle using Kelley Blue Book and NADA online. Drop comprehensive and collision coverage if your vehicle is less than $4,000. If your vehicle is worth more than $4,000 but you’d still like to adjust your coverage, consider a higher deductible. Your premium and deductible are inversely related: a higher deductible will result in a cheaper premium. Consider adding uninsured property damage coverage to your policy to protect your vehicle from uninsured drivers.

3. Find auto insurance discounts

Discounts will not halve what you pay for car insurance, but they can help. Below are some common auto insurance discounts.

Good student discount

If you’re a student under the age of 25 with a GPA higher than 3.0, you can earn a Good Student Discount from many insurance companies.

Telematics/usage-based insurance

Many insurance companies offer telematics-based car insurance. These policies use in-car devices to monitor the way you drive and more accurately price your premium. If you drive a moderate amount, early in the day, and brake and accelerate carefully, this could be a good option for you.

Below are some estimated discounts for popular telematics programs.

Company	Estimated Savings
Progressive SnapShot	Average of $130
Allstate DriveWise	Average of 10-25%
State Farm Drive Safe and Save	Up to 15%
Esurance DriveSense	Varies
Nationwide SmartRide	Up to 40%
Liberty Mutual RightTrack	Average of 5-30%
Root Car Insurance	Varies
Metromile	Varies
GEICO DriveEasy	Varies

4. Bundle your insurance

Make sure your parents bundle their home, renters, or condo policy with their auto insurance. This cuts down the number of insurance companies involved and earns a discount on both policies. See the table below to compare average rates by homeowners status. For more information see:

AVERAGE ANNUAL PREMIUM BY HOMEOWNER STATUS

Updated: 11/30/23.
Homeowner Status	Avg. Annual Premium
Condo Owner	$1,730
Condo Owner With Multi-Policy	$1,592
Home Owner	$1,728
Home Owner With Multi-Policy	$1,562
Renter	$1,760
Renter With Multi-Policy	$1,677

Dynamic auto insurance data methodology

Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.

5. Shop around

The best way to save on car insurance is to compare rates from as many companies as possible. Discounts can be great, but sometimes your premium is simply too high because you’re with the wrong company.

Enter your ZIP code to retrieve personalized quotes from top insurance companies.

Compare quotes from over 100 providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay on my parents' car insurance after I move out?

No. You need to get a new policy, assigned to the address at which you currently reside. Car insurance companies use your ZIP code to determine the monthly cost of your policy. Staying on your parents’ policy after moving out may risk coverage denial in the event of an accident.

Can I stay on my parents' car insurance if I go to college?

It depends. You can if you are living at home or plan not to drive while you're at school. You typically have to get your own policy if you plan to drive while you are living on campus or in your own apartment.

Can I get my own insurance if I'm living in my parents' house?

Yes — but not always with the same company as your parents. Some insurers avoid issuing two policies for one listed residence, assuming you'll use your parents' vehicle if you live with them. To have your own coverage, find another insurance company and exclude yourself from your parents' policy if you won't be using their insured vehicles. However, unless your parents have a poor driving record, it is usually cheaper to be added to their policy than to have your own.

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.