Multi-car insurance policies
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Key takeaways
- A multi-car policy is not a separate auto policy but one with a multi-car discount.
- Depending on the company, a multi-car discount can save policyholders up to 25 percent.
- A multi-car discount may not always be an option or the best option, depending on the vehicles you own and your insurable interest.
Families with multiple vehicles can often benefit from a multi-car insurance policy. Most car insurance companies offer a discount to customers who insure more than one vehicle on the same policy. It can also be easier to manage one policy with a single premium. Learn how multi-car policies work to see if it’s the right option for you.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
What is a multi-car policy?
Most auto insurance companies offer multi-car (or multiple-car) insurance policies. Multi-car policies are available through almost every insurance carrier and, in fact, are not different than a standard auto insurance policy. A multi-car policy simply means that a car insurance policy has more than one vehicle insured. A benefit of insuring multiple cars through a single policy is that most providers give a discount, usually known as a multi-car or multi-vehicle discount, for insuring two or more cars on the same policy.
If you’re seeking a multi-car discount, insurance companies may each offer a different discount amount if the option for the discount is available. For example, Progressive offers an average multi-car discount of up to 12 percent, whereas Amica and Geico offer a discount of up to 25 percent when you insure two or more cars.
Each company is likely to have its own requirements for multi-car insurance policies. Some only require that all covered vehicles be located at one address, while other carriers factor in the vehicle owner’s relationship to the policyholder. It never hurts to ask carriers about their specific criteria for multi-car insurance policies. If multiple people live in your household, a multi-driver car insurance policy may apply as well.
What discount can you receive for a multi-car insurance policy?
You may see up to a 25 percent discount on the total premium on a multi-vehicle policy. However, each provider’s discount percentage may vary. Here are a few companies that offer discounts for insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy:
| Company | Multi-car discount % |
|---|---|
| Amica | Up to 25% |
| Geico | Up to 25% |
| Progressive | Up to 12% |
Is there a limit to how many cars I can have on my policy?
Every company is different when it comes to how many cars you can insure on a single policy. Many companies can insure up to four vehicles on one policy before you need a second car insurance policy. Some companies can insure more than four vehicles on one policy.
In general, companies require that you have an ‘insurable interest’ in a vehicle before you can insure it. Insurable interest means that you have a financial interest in the vehicle. An example of this is a vehicle that you co-own. Whether that vehicle is covered and cared for matters to you because you have partial ownership.
If a company allows you to add a car to your policy that you don’t own or co-own, it may require the owner to be a household family member. Additionally, you may need to list that family member as a driver on your policy or as an insurable interest. Your insurance agent should have more specific information on their company guidelines.
How does coverage work on a multi-car insurance policy?
Most states require drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance coverage. You must meet the minimum coverage requirements to register your vehicle and legally drive.
However, many drivers can benefit from optional coverage, as well. Here are some of the car insurance coverage options that are common for multi-car insurance policies:
- Liability insurance: Liability insurance includes bodily injury and property damage coverage. It pays for the other driver’s losses if you cause an accident and they get injured or their vehicle gets damaged.
- Personal injury protection: Personal injury protection (PIP) is required in many no-fault states. It covers your and your passenger’s medical expenses after an accident, regardless of which driver was responsible.
- Collision insurance: When you cause an accident, collision insurance pays for your vehicle’s repairs. If your car gets totaled, your insurance company will pay your vehicle’s actual cash value determined at the time of loss, minus your deductible.
- Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive insurance helps cover your vehicle’s repairs if you get involved in a non-collision incident, such as theft, vandalism, an accident with an animal, falling objects or weather-related damage.
- MedPay insurance: Medical payments insurance, or MedPay, provides coverage for your and your passenger’s medical bills if you get injured in an accident. MedPay is available in most states.
- Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance is an endorsement that covers basic car services if you get stranded. Most policies will help pay for things like fuel delivery, flat tire changes, and battery jumpstarts.
- Rental car coverage: If your vehicle gets damaged in a covered loss and needs to get repaired, rental car coverage will pay for a rental vehicle so you can still get around.
Certain coverage on a multi-car policy applies to all vehicles insured, like your bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and PIP/MedPay coverage. But other coverage, like comprehensive and collision, are unique to each vehicle. For example, if you’re insuring a brand-new car and a 15-year-old used car, you could choose to get full coverage on the new car and liability-only coverage on the used car. However, you could also carry the same comprehensive and collision deductibles for all your vehicles, but you are not required to do so by your insurance company.
When would a multi-car insurance policy not be an option?
While a multi-car policy can benefit some drivers, it’s not an option for every scenario. For example, if you want to insure a motorcycle, you must purchase a separate motorcycle insurance policy and cannot add it as a secondary vehicle to your personal auto policy. Even if your insurance provider offers motorcycle insurance, you wouldn’t be allowed to insure your bike on the same policy as your other vehicles.
The same goes for classic cars. If you have a classic car in your garage, you might want to purchase a specialty policy. Classic car insurance offers more tailored coverage for antique or rare older vehicles, such as higher reimbursement limits for repairs and coverage in transport. You generally can’t get these coverage options with a personal car insurance policy.
Another instance where a multi-car insurance policy may be unavailable is if you split your residency between two states. For example, you may store your vehicles in two locations, one at each residence. If that happens, you would have two policies and not be eligible for the multi-car discount.
Frequently asked questions
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The cheapest multi-car insurance company varies from person to person since every driver has a unique set of factors that influence their rates. Plus, drivers can qualify for a number of discounts in addition to a multi-car insurance discount, which can further reduce their insurance premiums. To find the cheapest car insurance company for you, request quotes from several providers and ask about available discounts.
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Yes, car insurance providers can write individual policies for every car you own, and in some cases, you’ll have to do this if your vehicle doesn’t qualify for a multi-car policy. For instance, if you own a car and a motorcycle, you’ll need a standard auto policy and a separate motorcycle policy. You could also choose to get separate policies if you want different amounts of liability coverage on the insured vehicles, which you can’t choose independently if they’re on a single policy.
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Stacked insurance can be an added benefit with a multi-car policy. When you have stacked coverage, the true limit of uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury limit depends on the number of vehicles in your household. For instance, let’s say you have $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident in stacked uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage on your policy, and with two vehicles in your household. This means your true uninsured motorist bodily injury limit is $40,000 per person and $80,000 per accident since 20/40 multiplied by two is 40/80.
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Most drivers find that there are more benefits to putting multiple cars on one policy. Drivers can easily manage their coverage and pay a single premium instead of several. Plus, the majority of insurance providers offer solid discounts for insuring more than one vehicle. That said, your vehicles might not qualify for a multi-car policy. If you have a standard personal vehicle and a motorcycle, these cannot be insured on the same policy and you probably won’t be able to get the multi-car insurance discount.
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