Updated: April 11, 2025
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GEICO, Nationwide and State Farm offer affordable multi-car insurance rates for unmarried couples.
You can add your boyfriend or girlfriend to your policy if you live together or you often use each other's car.
If you or your partner have negative rating factors on your insurance profiles, it may be better to maintain separate policies.
Couples can purchase joint car insurance even if they are unmarried. However, most car insurance companies require that they must be living together to do so. Combining insurance policies may not be an option if you don't.
Permissive use is typically enough for couples living in separate houses. It ensures your policy protects your partner when they drive your car.
Permissive use applies when you permit a person to drive your car, like when you lend it to your partner. Your policy's coverage extends to them if they get into an accident, even if you didn't name them in your car insurance plan.
Insurers only require you and your partner to have the same residential address to add them to your policy. The list below shows other situations when combining insurance may be the best option for you besides living together.
Adding your partner to your policy when you live together is the safest choice. Some carriers might deny an insurance claim if you didn't name them in your car insurance plan.
People living with you become part of your household. Some car insurance companies require you to add members of your household that have access to your car. So if you and your partner live under the same roof, you must put their name on your plan.
Some couples frequently use each other's cars, but this doesn't automatically fall under permissive use. In these situations, adding your partner to your policy is safer. Otherwise, your carrier might deny your claim if your partner was uninsured and in an accident.
First, contact your provider to add your partner to your policy. Ask about the process and the requirements because these may vary between carriers. Provide your partner's information and wait for the insurer to approve your application and update your policy.
Typically, you can only add your partner if you live under the same roof. But even if you live together, joint car insurance shouldn't be a given. You may want to consider other factors to decide if it's the best move.
For example, you may want to reconsider if your partner has a bad driving record. The same applies if they have a poor credit score or own an expensive car. All these may result in a higher annual premium.
Drivers with violations on their driving record typically pay higher car insurance premiums than safe drivers. Finding affordable full-coverage car insurance may be challenging if your partner has tickets, at-fault accidents or a DUI.
Your credit score determines your risk level. Insurers think you're more likely to pay your premium on time and less likely to file claims if you have good credit standing. Expect your policy to cost more if your partner has a bad credit score.
Couples that live separately might not need to combine car insurance, especially if they rarely use each other's cars. Typically, permissive use is enough to protect your partner when they’re behind the wheel.
Several factors make car insurance expensive, and the car you drive is one of them. If your partner has a luxury or a sports car, adding them to your policy may increase your insurance costs.
You may wonder what happens to joint car insurance if you and your partner decide to part ways. First, see who ends up with the car post-breakup. If it's you, inform your provider that your partner is no longer a driver, and your policy shouldn't cover them in the future.
If your partner gets the car and takes you off the policy, don't worry — you can always sign up for a new one. But you may not qualify for the same discounts you had under a joint policy. Contact your carrier and get an estimate. This way, a higher premium won't surprise you.
Insurance companies don’t charge higher premiums for being single, but married couples typically enjoy lower rates because they’re considered lower-risk clients. Here’s a breakdown of average rates for single drivers from leading insurers.
| USAA | $826 | $336 |
| Travelers | $1,116 | $556 |
| GEICO | $1,216 | $549 |
| Nationwide | $1,240 | $652 |
| State Farm | $1,293 | $572 |
| Progressive | $1,333 | $567 |
| Allstate | $1,526 | $839 |
| Farmers | $1,564 | $754 |
If you're married, insurers may see you as more financially stable and risk-averse. As a result, you're more likely to get affordable rates.
Remember, you and your spouse don't necessarily have to have joint car insurance. However, it often makes sense because it can be the most affordable option. You'll likely combine your policies, especially when you live together.
Even if your spouse has poor credit standing or violations on their driving record, combining car insurance often comes out cheaper than maintaining separate policies.
Couples can share a joint car insurance policy, whether married or not. This is ideal for those living together or driving each other’s cars often. This guide covers when combining policies works, when it doesn’t and how to handle joint coverage if your relationship ends.
Here are some common questions people ask about car insurance for couples. These can help you decide if it's your best option.
Yes, you can. Unmarried couples can choose to combine car insurance if they live together. It’s also an excellent option if you drive each other’s cars frequently.
A bad driving record, an expensive car or a poor credit score are some reasons you should possibly not add your partner to your car insurance policy. The same applies if you rarely use each other's car or don't live together.
Living with your partner is an excellent reason to add them to your car insurance policy — especially if you often drive each other's cars. Some car insurance companies require it because sharing the same roof makes your partner part of your household.
You can apply for a new car insurance policy if your partner takes you off the one you shared. You can check for available discounts to help lower your premium.
But if you keep the car, call to inform your insurer that your policy should no longer cover your former partner.
A joint car insurance policy is usually cheaper for married couples than maintaining separate policies. However, if you aren't married yet, compare estimates first. Factors like your partner's credit score or driving history may result in a more expensive rate.
Study Overview
Car insurance rates differ greatly based on various factors — the insurer you choose, your age, gender, vehicle, location, credit-based insurance score, driving record and more. MoneyGeek gathered aggregate data organized by the main factors that insurers use to calculate car insurance rates and analyzed the collection to calculate and discover average rates.
Data Acquisition, Depth and Analysis
MoneyGeek's data comes from Quadrant Information Services as well as State departments of insurance and includes 83,056 quotes from 46 companies across 473 zip codes.
Driver Profiles
The following sample driver profile was used to determine averages (unless otherwise noted):
When noted, this driver profile was modified by age, gender, geographic location, vehicle, credit score and driving record to determine averages for different driver profiles and needs.
Coverage Levels and Deductibles Explained
Average rates on this page are determined with 100/300/100 comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible (unless otherwise noted).
A 100/300/100 policy means:
When different coverage levels are noted, MoneyGeek modified the coverage of the sample driver to provide average rates for a 50/100/50 liability-only policy and a 50/1000/50 comprehensive and collision policy and calculated average rates dependent upon if a policy was paid in full annually, every six months or monthly.
Learn more about MoneyGeek's methodology.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
