Auto Insurance for Families With Multiple Drivers (2024)

If you live in a household that contains multiple drivers, insurance coverage can result in mixed feelings. Auto insurance for different driver types can be complicated.

On the one hand, it is a lot more convenient for everyone to be able to get themselves to places.

On the other, there are more expenses associated with multiple drivers as well as more chances for accidents and other traffic violations.

Purchasing auto insurance is very personal, although many people do not diligently search for a policy.

Read More: Best Auto Insurance Companies

You do not necessarily have to buy a separate car insurance policy for each driver.

Start your Internet search for cheap car insurance rates by entering your ZIP code in this FREE quote finder!

Understand Insurance

When it comes to purchasing an auto insurance policy, it is important to understand what you are signing up for.

Not all policies are the same, and you must understand the multiple terms and types of coverage to get the most out of your policy coverage.

If you are beginning to look for an insurance policy for your family, evaluate what you need regarding insurance and what types of coverage are available.

The Insurance Information Institute lays out the basic six types of auto insurance coverage.

Beyond that, there are many options available, depending on the state in which you live including:

• Emergency roadside assistance
• GAP coverage
• Dismemberment or death coverage
• Custom equipment coverage

Along with understanding coverage types, you should also know what deductibles and limits are, as with certain types of coverage you will need to choose an amount for each.

The more you understand about insurance, the more you will be able to choose the correct amount of insurance for your family.

Know Your Risks

Car insurance companies base your insurance rates off of how much risk you pose to them.

A variety of factors that determine risk are considered including:

• Your age and gender – Males tend to pay more for auto insurance, as do drivers under the age of 25
• Driving history – If you or someone in your family has been in multiple accidents or have received tickets for other moving violations, your auto insurance rates for being a high-risk driver will be much higher
• Credit score – Credit score affects auto insurance rates, as people who do not handle their finances responsibly usually will not handle driving responsibly either.
• Type of car being driven – New, expensive cars cost more to fix and repair. Sports cars also increase your risk of getting speeding tickets or other traffic violations.

If you are looking to insure multiple drivers under one policy, the risks for each driver will be factored in.

Shopping for Insurance Policies

Finding the right insurance company to insure your vehicles can be a process. You can look on your own to find an agent or a company, or you can use a broker.

An insurance broker doesn’t work for one particular company but has access to multiple providers.

A broker can often find insurance policies for higher risk parties or ones that have special circumstances.

If you don’t have a particular insurance company or agent in mind, you can search for an insurance company online. You can do this by doing a general web search or by using a site to compare multiple auto insurance quotes from car insurance companies.

Take some time to speak with a few different agents to see if one may be a better fit for you than others.

Don’t be afraid to turn a policy proposal down from someone if something about your personality doesn’t mesh or you are uncomfortable working with the agent.

Do your Research

Once you have narrowed down your choices for a car insurance agent or company, do some thorough research.

Make sure that the company is authorized and that the broker or agent is licensed in your state.

See if the agent or insurance company has any complaints against them.

Contacting your state’s insurance department would be the best way to find this out.

Research how stable the company is in regards to financial trends. You would hate to be with a company that fights you for every claim and/or tries to settle for less than you deserve.

You also want to be with a company that is going to be around for a while and won’t be declaring bankruptcy.

There is a handful of companies like AM Best that have done the financial analysis of insurance companies for you.

On their site you can type in an insurance company’s name and be presented with its financial ratings, the number of assets it has, and its outlook for the future.

How to Save on Insurance Premiums

One of the biggest concerns drivers have is the cost of car insurance. If you are insuring multiple drivers with different risk factors, how much you pay for your premium is an even bigger worry.

Fortunately, there are some ways that you can pay less for your auto insurance premiums:

• Consider your finances. If you are settled and have money in the bank, you may be able to afford a higher deductible which will decrease the amount you pay for your policy.
• Bundle your insurance policies. If you own a home or have other types of insurance, insure them with the same company as your auto insurance for even greater savings.
• Keep an eye on your vehicles and what type of coverage they carry. Older cars may not need collision or comprehensive, while newer and financed vehicles do.
• Ask your agent about the many auto insurance discounts that may be offered to drivers. Many insurance companies will reward drivers for saving them money through the use of discounts.

When it is Better to Insure Separately

Although in most cases it is smarter to combine all drivers of a household on the same policy, this isn’t always the case.

There are certain circumstances in which it would be better to insure someone separately.

If one of your drivers has had a poor driving history, been convicted of a DUI, or is a new driver with no experience, the rate for them may be very high which would affect all of you.

Some high-risk drivers will even be denied car insurance because of their past mistakes.

If someone has been denied car insurance from the standard auto insurance market, he will usually have to get insurance from a non-standard or high-risk provider with high premiums.

If you have someone in your family that has a negative record, it may be a better idea to insure the high-risk driver separately with a non-standard insurance company and then insure the rest of the family under a normal policy.

Affordable auto insurance rates can be found right now by entering your ZIP code in the FREE quote tool on this page!