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Car Insurance for Married Couples | Bankrate (1)Written by

TJ Porter

TJ Porter

Car Insurance for Married Couples | Bankrate (2)Edited by

Maggie Kempken

Maggie Kempken

Car Insurance for Married Couples | Bankrate (3)Edited by

Maggie Kempken

Maggie Kempken

Updated Apr 02, 2024

Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)

Advertising disclosure

This advertisem*nt is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisem*nt are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisem*nt. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Insurance disclosure

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.

On This Page

Does being married get me better car insurance rates?

Yes, married couples typically pay lower premiums than single people. In general, insurance companies view married people as financially stable and having more life experience. That can mean fewer accidents and claims.

The national annual average cost of car insurance is $2,014 for a single 40-year-old driver. Married couples pay an average of 6 percent less for full coverage and 4 percent less for minimum coverage. Keep in mind that the amount you ultimately pay depends on other factors than being married, like your collective driving histories, credit-based insurance scores (in most states), the cars you drive and your claims history.

This table shows the average difference in premium paid by single drivers and married couples from some of the best car insurance companies on the market. If you’re considering working with one of these companies, be sure to take the time to shop around and compare rates to see which one is best for you.

CompanyAverage annual full coverage premium for married driversAverage 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

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

While it depends on your insurer, most will require that you add your spouse to your policy once you’re married. In fact, if you are living together before you’re married, you may already be required to add your significant other to your policy by many car insurance companies.

Remember that, once you’re married, updating your policy to reflect that will likely mean some small savings on your policy (if all other things remain equal).

If you were not already on the same policy and your new spouse has a bad driving record, a poor credit history (in most states) or a much more expensive car, you could see your premiums go up.

Named driver exclusion

As we briefly mentioned, for the most part, insurers require that any driver living in the same household as you be listed on your policy. Some insurers offer a way around this, letting you list specific excluded drivers. These are people that live in your house but that are not covered by your policy.

That means that if the person drives your car, they won’t have insurance. If they get into an accident, you’ll be fully liable for the damage. It’s also worth noting that most insurers won’t let you list a spouse as an excluded driver. But if you haven’t gotten married yet and live together, it might be an option.

Should my spouse and I have separate policies?

Getting a separate car insurance policy from your spouse is difficult. Few insurers will let you get separate policies unless there are extenuating circ*mstances, such as living in different states. If you’re in an unusual situation and need separate policies, it’s best to call your insurance company and ask for options.

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: If both you and your spouse own a car, you might be able to get a discount by covering both cars with one policy. The discount can be significant, sometimes as much as 25 percent. It’s also easier to manage one multi-car policy than two single-car policies.
  • Multi-policy discount: Often called a bundling discount, this lets you save money when you combine all of your insurance policies with one company, potentially leading to discounts. For example, if you use the same insurer for auto insurance and homeowners insurance, you could save money.
  • Homeowner discount: If you and your spouse buy a home together, it may help you lower your auto insurance premiums. Homeowners are typically viewed as financially stable and lower risk, so companies like Liberty Mutual, Progressive and Travelers offer this discount.

Frequently asked questions

Car Insurance for Married Couples | Bankrate (8)

Written by

TJ Porter

Contributor, Personal Finance

    Read more from TJ

    TJ Porter is a contributing writer for Bankrate with eight years of experience writing about finance. TJ writes about a range of subjects, from budgeting tips to bank account reviews.

    Car Insurance for Married Couples | Bankrate (9)

    Edited by

    Maggie Kempken

    Maggie Kempken

    Senior Editor, Insurance

      Car Insurance for Married Couples | Bankrate (2024)

      FAQs

      How does car insurance work for married couples? ›

      Many insurers, including Progressive, require you to add a spouse to your car insurance policy if you're both living in the same household (unless your state gives you the option to exclude your spouse). Adding your spouse to your policy ensures that you're both covered in the event of an accident.

      Is it cheaper to combine car insurance when married? ›

      Yes, married couples typically pay lower premiums than single people. In general, insurance companies view married people as financially stable and having more life experience. That can mean fewer accidents and claims. The national annual average cost of car insurance is $2,014 for a single 40-year-old driver.

      Is it better to be married or single for car insurance? ›

      How does your relationship status affect auto insurance rates? Your personal relationship status does have an impact on what you pay for car insurance. Because married drivers are seen as more financially stable and safer drivers, they typically pay less for car insurance.

      Will my car insurance go up if I add my wife? ›

      Adding your husband or your wife to your policy will likely increase your auto insurance rates, but it should be cheaper than having two separate policies unless your spouse has a poor driving history. Married couples generally pay lower rates per person because research shows that they aren't as likely to file claims.

      Does marital status matter for car insurance? ›

      Yes, marriage does affect car insurance, and in a good way, usually. Premiums can typically decrease because most married couples tend to be safe drivers.

      How does marital status affect auto insurance? ›

      On average, a married driver pays $160 less per year for car insurance than does a single, unmarried driver. While being married doesn't necessarily make you a better driver, historical data show married couples are more likely to share driving responsibilities than single people.

      Do husband and wife have to be on same car insurance? ›

      No. There's no legal requirement saying you must add your spouse's vehicle to your auto insurance policy. The main reason to combine car insurance policies are to save money and time: Combining your car insurance can save you money with a Multi-Policy Discount.

      Is it cheaper for two people to be on the same car insurance? ›

      Adding a roommate to your auto insurance will raise the cost of your individual policy, but it could be lower than the combined cost of two separate policies.

      Do married couples need the same insurance? ›

      You have the option of putting both spouses on one plan or selecting two different plans. You can pick separate plans even if you're enrolling in the exchange with premium subsidies. To qualify for subsidies, married enrollees must file a joint tax return, but they don't have to be on the same health insurance plan.

      What marital status is best for insurance? ›

      Marital status can significantly influence car insurance premiums. Generally, insurers view married individuals as more stable and less likely to engage in risky driving behavior, resulting in fewer accidents and claims. Consequently, they often offer lower premiums to married couples.

      Do you have to add your spouse to car insurance Geico? ›

      Spouses are typically required to be on your policy. Significant others/partners/fiancés should be added to your policy if they live in the household and regularly operate your vehicle. Teen drivers and college students need to be added to your policy if they have a learner's permit or a valid driver license.

      How much does being married save you on car insurance? ›

      Many car insurers give people a discount when they get married. The specifics vary from company to company and state to state, but on average, car insurance for married couples is 4% to 12% less than singles, according to a rate analysis by CarInsurance.com's industry experts.

      Why is it so expensive to add a spouse to insurance? ›

      “Usually, an employer will cover more of the employee's premium than the spouse's,” points out Katz. So, you may pay a higher monthly insurance bill (premium) if you join a spouse's plan.

      Which gender pays more for car insurance? ›

      Why do men pay more for auto insurance? Men pay more for auto insurance on average because they're statistically more likely to get into accidents and to have major injuries. However, male drivers only pay about $51 more per year than their female counterparts on average.

      Can someone not on your insurance drive your car Progressive? ›

      If you allow someone else to borrow your car, it's still covered by your insurance policy. Insurers call this "permissive use." This is true even when the driver carries their own insurance. However, both your insurance policy and the driver's insurance may apply in the event of an accident.

      Do you and your spouse need to be on the same car insurance? ›

      Yes, married couples even have the option to maintain separate car insurance policies. However, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks. Higher Premiums: Separate policies can sometimes lead to higher premiums, as you might miss out on the multi-car discount.

      Does being separated affect car insurance? ›

      Living together: If your cars will continue to be kept at the same residence, you and your ex can stay on the same policy, just as if you were roommates sharing car insurance; or you can choose to get separate policies once you're legally separated or divorced.

      Do I need to add my wife to my car insurance Geico? ›

      Spouses are typically required to be on your policy. Significant others/partners/fiancés should be added to your policy if they live in the household and regularly operate your vehicle. Teen drivers and college students need to be added to your policy if they have a learner's permit or a valid driver license.

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