How do I add my spouse to my car insurance?

You can add your spouse to your car insurance policy as soon as you’re married, and potentially beforehand. Some insurers also recognize engagement and common law marriage when applying a married discount to your policy, so you may want to contact your insurer even before you are married to see how your soon-to-be spouse should be listed on your policy. When deciding which car insurance policy to keep, you may want to get quotes.

Would it be cheaper to keep your policy or your partner’s policy?

Once you’ve decided which car insurance policy to keep, you can add your spouse as a driver on your policy. It does not matter which driver is listed first.

Can you combine car insurance policies if you are not married?

Many auto insurers allow you to share a policy as long as each vehicle is kept at the same household overnight. That means, in many cases, you can share a car insurance policy with drivers who aren’t part of your immediate family — although you may not always be able to share a policy with roommates. For example, many carriers recognize common-law marriages, which means car insurance will work the same way as a traditional married couple. Some insurers will even allow policyholders to combine policies and apply the married discount, if couples are engaged.

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Car insurance for married couples

Written by

Cate Deventer

Edited by

Mariah Posey

Updated Mar 02, 2023

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Getting married is an exciting milestone for many, and a prime time to reevaluate your insurance needs as many carriers require married couples to be listed on the same policy. Between combining finances and possibly moving, your car insurance needs are likely different than when you were single. Bankrate’s study of average rates for married couples, and our detailed breakdown of why your insurance company cares about your marital status, could help you save money on your car insurance premium after tying the knot.

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Does being married get me better car insurance rates?

On average, married couples have lower insurance rates than single drivers. This is because, generally, insurance companies may view married couples as more financially stable and less likely to experience accidents and file claims.

The national annual average cost of car insurance is $2,014 for one driver, whereas the average cost of car insurance for a married couple’s policy is $1,898 for one vehicle. These rates are averages, and your individual premiums depend on your personal rating factors, such as the vehicle you drive, your driving record and your claims history. You may be able to find lower rates by shopping around and comparing rates.

The table below illustrates the difference in average premiums between married couples and singles from some of the best car insurance companies on the market.

Company	Average annual full coverage premium for married drivers	Average annual full coverage premium for single drivers
Amica	$1,509	$1,467
Auto-Owners	$1,366	$1,361
Erie	$1,391	$1,356
Geico	$1,317	$1,353
Nationwide	$1,383	$1,422
Progressive	$1,551	$1,642
State Farm	$1,475	$1,480
Travelers	$1,485	$1,551
USAA	$1,166	$1,361

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Status: Rates were evaluated based on the following marital/family status: single driver on a policy with one vehicle (base) and married drivers together on a policy with one vehicle. Marital status is not a rating factor in HI and MI.

Do I have to add my spouse to my car insurance policy?

In many cases, car insurance companies require you to add your spouse to your policy. For the most part, this could be a good thing — you may lower your premium a bit and make it easier to handle your insurance by consolidating your cars on one policy. However, if your spouse has a less-than-stellar driving record, this could result in a premium increase.

Named driver exclusion

The general rule is that if a driver is living in the same household as you, they need to be listed on your car insurance policy. Depending on your insurance carrier, it may be possible for you to list your spouse as an excluded driver on your car insurance policy. However, most companies do not allow spouses to be excluded drivers.

If you do go this route, your spouse will not have coverage if they drive your vehicle. If they get into an accident in your vehicle and they are listed as an excluded driver, your insurance company will likely deny the claim.

Marriage discounts

Most companies offer a variety of car insurance discounts to help you save on your premium. While there generally is not a specific “marriage discount,” you may have access to discounts that you did not have access to before you were married.

Multi-car discount: When adding your partner and their vehicle to your policy, you may be eligible for a multi-car discount.
Multi-policy discount: As newlyweds, you may also be moving in together –– whether renting or buying a home or condo –– and this could offer a chance to combine all of your insurance policies with one company, potentially leading to discounts.
Homeowner discount: Many newlyweds may either purchase a new home or move into a home together, which could qualify them for a homeowner discount with some auto insurers. A few major insurers, such as Liberty Mutual, Progressive and Travelers offer this discount. Married drivers may even be eligible for this discount even if their home is insured with another provider.

Should my spouse and I have separate policies?

It is unlikely that you will be able to get a car insurance policy separate from your spouse, as marriage legally binds you with another person and insurers generally require both individuals to be listed. However, there may be some situations where a combined policy does not work for your situation. If you and your spouse live in separate states or countries, for example, you can speak with your insurance company to talk through your options.

Frequently asked questions

You can add your spouse to your car insurance policy as soon as you’re married, and potentially beforehand. Some insurers also recognize engagement and common law marriage when applying a married discount to your policy, so you may want to contact your insurer even before you are married to see how your soon-to-be spouse should be listed on your policy. When deciding which car insurance policy to keep, you may want to get quotes.
Once you’ve decided which car insurance policy to keep, you can add your spouse as a driver on your policy. It does not matter which driver is listed first.
Many auto insurers allow you to share a policy as long as each vehicle is kept at the same household overnight. That means, in many cases, you can share a car insurance policy with drivers who aren’t part of your immediate family — although you may not always be able to share a policy with roommates.

For example, many carriers recognize common-law marriages, which means car insurance will work the same way as a traditional married couple. Some insurers will even allow policyholders to combine policies and apply the married discount, if couples are engaged.