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How to Add a Teen's Car to Your Insurance

Mom driving with teen in insured car Mom driving with teen in insured car

You've been playing taxi driver for your high schooler for a few years, and now that she's gotten her driver's license, she's borrowing your car, leaving you stranded. Maybe it's time to consider getting her a car of her own, but what impact will that have on your car insurance?

It's a daunting prospect, especially since the average annual cost of car insurance was $907 in 2014, according to data site ValuePenguin1. And insuring teens can be vastly more expensive — it costs, on average, $6,456 a year to insure an 18-year-old2, although your teen may get a different rate. (And if you're insuring your teen on your policy, you've already taken something of a hit — so you're just taking on another car and designating your teen as the driver.) Here are some things to consider:

  • What kind of car would you buy? While it’s a subjective decision with many variables to consider, you may want to consider the impact your choice will have on your car insurance rates. You may pay more if you buy a car that's costly to fix if it's in an accident, such as a hybrid. But if you decide you want to go the hybrid car route, be sure to explore whether there is a hybrid discount available. You will also want to check with your insurer before you purchase to make sure the car you're considering won't cost an arm and a leg to insure because of its reputation as being expensive to repair.
  • How would it be used? If the additional car would be primarily for a short school commute or for casual use, make sure your insurer knows this. You may get a discount for a car that isn't piling on the miles or used in a lengthy work commute. 
  • Have you bundled your insurance policies? Bundling means buying more than one kind of insurance from the same company. So, for instance, where available, you could purchase both your home and your auto coverage from the same insurer — and generally that company will give you a discount on one or both policies. If you're adding a third car and don't have any other policies with your car insurer, it's worth pricing out the option. 
  • Have you gotten other quotes? Generally, having three cars insured with the same company will cost less than splitting them up, but with a teen driver, that's not a given. If adding the third vehicle with your teen as the primary driver is too pricey, review your coverage to make sure it is the best value for your coverage.   
  • Would your teen take a class? Depending on your insurance, you may get a slight discount if your new driver participates in a driver training or defensive driving course, which he or she may be able to do online, depending on your state. In fact, you may get even more of a discount if all of the drivers in the house take the defensive driving course. Ask your insurer what that might do for you.
  • Good student discounts are out there, too. If your teen is earning good grades in school, he or she also may qualify for a discount for that as well.

With so much competition among insurance providers, your family can benefit from inquiring about all of these possible options to secure the best car insurance policy for your budget and your protection. And think about the new freedom you’ll enjoy once your teen isn’t borrowing your car anymore.

Sources:
1 “Average Cost of Insurance: Car, Home, Renters, Health, and Pet (2017)”, ValuePenguin.com, 2017, https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-of-insurance#car-insurance-rates-by-age
2 “How Age Affects Car Insurance Costs,” ValuePenguin.com, https://www.valuepenguin.com/how-age-affects-auto-insurance-costs

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Related Products & Discounts

Car Insurance

Get protection that can help give you peace of mind when you're on the road.


Good Student Discount

This discount is available to drivers who maintain a B average or its equivalent, or are in the upper 20% of their class scholastically. Age restrictions apply.


Roadside Assistance

This coverage provides and pays for covered towing and labor costs if your vehicle breaks down.


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*Quotes may not be available in all states or for all products. In CA, quotes for all products must be obtained through a local independent agent.

The information on this site is general in nature. Any description of coverage is necessarily simplified. Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the specific facts and the provisions, exclusions and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any of our policies. You should read the policy for a complete description of coverage. Coverage options, limits, discounts, deductibles and other features are subject to individuals meeting our underwriting criteria and state availability. Not all features available in all states. Discounts may not apply to all coverages and/or vehicles.

Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. In TX: Automobile insurance is offered by Travelers Texas MGA, Inc. and underwritten by Consumers County Mutual Insurance Company (CCM). CCM is not a Travelers Company. In CA: Automobile Insurance is underwritten by Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Certificate of Authority # 6519; Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Certificate of Authority # 6521. Homeowners Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company, Certificate of Authority # 3545. Boat and Yacht Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company, Certificate of Authority # 3545. All underwriting companies listed above are domiciled in the state of Connecticut and are located at One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. In WA: Automobile Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company. Homeowners Insurance is underwritten by Travelers Personal Insurance Company. Personal Article Floater Insurance is underwritten by The Phoenix Insurance Company and The Travelers Indemnity Company of America. Personal Liability Umbrella Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company and Travelers Personal Insurance Company. Special Event Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company. Boat Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company. Yacht Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, and The Travelers Indemnity Company of America. Underwriting companies in CA and WA listed above are located at One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183.

Pet Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, and Travel Insurance is not underwritten by Travelers or its Affiliates (“Travelers”). Travelers utilizes its affiliate, InsuraMatch, LLC, an independent insurance agency, to refer consumers interested in pet coverage, motorcycle and off-road vehicle coverage, and travel coverage. For more information about the underwriting entities click “Learn More” to be directed to the specific product page.