Can You Add Someone to Your Insurance if You’re Not Married?

Getting car insurance can be tricky when you’re in a relationship but not married. You may be wondering if you can add your boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, or domestic partner to your policy if you don’t have a marriage certificate.

The good news is, most car insurance companies allow unmarried couples to get a joint policy, as long as you meet certain requirements. Here’s what you need to know about adding someone to your car insurance when you’re not married.

Do You Have to Be Married to Get Joint Car Insurance?

You do not have to be legally married to be on the same car insurance policy. Most major insurers will allow unmarried couples to get a joint policy, as long as you meet the insurer’s criteria.

The requirements may vary by insurance company, but most will allow unmarried couples to share a policy if:

• You live together at the same permanent address
• You share ownership of a car
• Both names are on the car’s title and registration

Some insurers may also allow you to add your significant other as a driver to your policy, even if you own the car yourself.

So if you’re not married but are in a committed relationship and share a home, you can likely get joint car insurance coverage. A marriage license or certificate is not necessarily required.

Adding Your Partner to Your Existing Policy

If you already have auto insurance in your name only, you may be able to add your boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner to your existing policy. Here’s how it works:

• Contact your insurer. Call your insurance company or agent and ask about adding your significant other to your policy. Make sure to have their driver’s license number handy.

• Provide partner’s info. Be prepared to provide your partner’s name, birthdate, driver’s license number, and any other details requested.

• List as additional driver. Most insurers will add your partner as an additional driver first. This gives them coverage when driving your car.

• Add partner’s car. If your significant other owns their own vehicle, you can request to add their car to your policy too, as long as you live together.

• Review new quote. Adding a driver and vehicle will likely increase your rate. Review the new premium quote and adjust coverage if needed.

• List your partner as co-policyholder. Once approved, your insurer can list your boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner as a co-policyholder, with equal rights to make policy changes.

Getting a New Joint Policy

If neither of you currently has insurance, or if your current policies don’t allow adding a partner, you can apply for a completely new joint policy:

• Decide on an insurer. Research companies and choose one insurer to handle your joint policy. Get quotes from several to compare rates.

• Provide both drivers’ info. Give the insurer both names, birth dates, driver’s license numbers, and vehicle info when applying.

• List both as policyholders. Make sure the insurer lists you both as equal policyholders on the same policy. You’ll share rights to make changes.

• Add all household vehicles. Be sure to list all cars owned by both people. Different insurers have different vehicle limits.

• Review coverages offered. Policies for unmarried couples have the same options as standard policies. Choose liability limits, deductibles, and extras like roadside assistance.

• Lock in the rate. Review the full joint policy quote. Adjust coverage if needed until you’re comfortable with the premium. Then finalize the policy.

Getting joint insurance from scratch ensures you’re both equal policyholders from day one. But it also requires more upfront paperwork than adding a partner to an existing policy.

What Documentation Is Required for Unmarried Couples?

Insurers will require some proof that you and your partner live together before issuing a joint policy. Common documentation options include:

• Driver’s licenses – Both names on licenses registered to the same address

• Utility bills – Shared electric, water, cable bill in both names

• Lease agreement – Names on an apartment or home lease or mortgage

• Affidavits – Signed letter swearing you live at the same residence

You may need to provide at least two or three documents showing your cohabitation. Some insurers may also require notarized affidavits. Check with the insurance company to see what documents they accept.

Adding a Partner to Car Insurance vs. Marriage

Getting joint car insurance with an unmarried partner is similar to combining policies after marriage in many ways:

Joint policy allowed – You don’t need a marriage certificate to get a shared policy with both names.

Both can drive all cars – All named drivers get coverage when driving any vehicle on the policy.

Shared rights – Joint policyholders share rights to make changes, like updating vehicles or coverages.

Premium savings – Combining policies often saves money over two separate policies.

However, there are a few key differences:

• Transfers ownership – Marriage can transfer car ownership rights. Joint non-married policies don’t change ownership.

• Easier combo – Married couples may find it easier to combine existing policies with some insurers.

• Rates factor – Marital status can be used to determine rates in some states. Unmarried couples won’t get this discount.

What Happens If You Break Up? Removing an Ex from Insurance

Unfortunately, not every relationship lasts forever. If you and your partner split up, you’ll need to remove them from the joint insurance policy. Here are some tips:

• Notify insurer immediately – Call and request removal as soon as you break up. Don’t wait until the policy renewal.

• Provide date of separation – Give the specific date you and your partner started living separately. Coverage ends once you no longer share a residence.

• Transfer coverage – Any vehicles in your ex’s name will need a new solo policy right away to maintain coverage.

• Update billing – Remove your ex’s bank/card info from the account to avoid issues. Set up new billing in just your name.

• Change beneficiaries – Update life insurance and any other benefits to remove your former partner if listed as a beneficiary.

• Modify other policies – Check if you need to remove your ex from renters, health, or other shared insurance policies.

Taking an ex off insurance as soon as possible protects you both and avoids paying for unnecessary coverage.

Common Questions About Joint Insurance for Unmarried Couples

Getting insurance with an unmarried partner can bring up many questions. Here are some frequently asked questions:

Can I insure my girlfriend’s car without being married?

In most cases, yes. As long as you live together, you can add your girlfriend as a named insured on your policy, and add her car too. You don’t need to be married or related to insure someone else’s vehicle.

What if only one person owns the car?

If you share a home but only one partner’s name is on the car’s title, that person should insure the car. But the other partner still needs to be listed as a driver.

Do both unmarried partners have to be listed on a policy?

Yes. Insurance companies require all licensed drivers in a home be named on policies to prevent coverage gaps. The only exception is if your partner has their own separate policy.

Can I get a family car insurance policy if we’re not married?

Insurance companies consider people living together as a “family” for auto insurance purposes. So you can get a family policy without being legally related or married.

What if my partner has bad credit or driving history?

Adding them will still be allowed, but expect your rates to go up. Consider having your partner first complete defensive driver courses to improve their record and get discounts.

The Bottom Line – Getting Insurance for Unmarried Couples

Joint car insurance is possible for unmarried couples, just as it is for married partners. The keys are:

• Living together – Share a home address and have documents to prove you reside together.

• Jointly owning cars – Both names should be on the titles and registrations of any shared vehicles.

• Listing both people – Name both as policyholders for equal coverage rights.

• Meeting insurer requirements – Provide required proofs of residency and ownership for approval.

• Comparing quotes – Shop multiple companies to find the best rates. Costs can vary widely.

As long as you meet your insurer’s eligibility conditions, you can get joint car insurance with a boyfriend, girlfriend, or any significant other. Just like married couples, combining policies can save you money while making coverage administration easier by putting both partners on the same policy.