What to Know About Adding a New Driver to Your Auto Insurance

Whether your teen just got their license or a new household member is behind the wheel, updating your auto insurance policy to reflect that change is essential. In Johnson City, Tennessee, listing all regular drivers on your policy helps avoid gaps in coverage and surprises at claim time.

When to Add a Driver

Anytime someone in your household begins driving your vehicle consistently, they should be added to your policy. This includes newly licensed teens, a spouse with a valid license, roommates who borrow your car frequently or adult children who’ve moved back in. Most insurance carriers require you to disclose all licensed household members, even if they don’t drive often, to accurately assess risk.

How It Can Affect Your Premium

Adding a driver can impact your auto insurance premium, especially if the individual is young or lacks driving experience.

Teen drivers tend to raise premiums due to their higher risk on the road. However, many insurance companies offer discounts for safe driving courses, good grades or participating in telematics programs that track driving behavior. Asking about available discounts can help offset increased costs.

What You’ll Need to Provide

To add someone to your policy, you’ll typically need basic information such as their full name, date of birth, driver’s license number and driving history. If they’ve been insured before, providing prior policy details may also help with the quoting process.

Planning for Long-term Changes

If the new driver is expected to use your vehicle for the foreseeable future (like a teen commuting to school or a spouse starting a new job), it’s worth reviewing your current coverage limits. Based on your evolving household needs, you might want to update liability levels, add roadside assistance or explore higher uninsured motorist coverage.

Learn More

Westmoreland Insurance Agency Inc in Johnson City, Tennessee, can walk you through the process of adding a new driver to your auto policy. We’re here to help you understand how each change affects your coverage and guide you toward a plan that fits your family’s needs. Contact us today to get started.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.