I am 19 years old

by Jennifer Marie » Tue May 26, 2009 01:02 am

I am 19 years old and I just got my license. The only car I have ever driven and will ever drive is my mom's car. However, my parents are divorced and I'm not sure who's policy I'm allowed to be under. My dad had custody so I lived with him until he kicked me out June 2008. Consequently, I'm currently living with my mom. However, I have not lived with her for 90 days yet because I went to college and lived on campus (August 2008 to May 2009). Also, my license reads my dad's address - and his address is listed for my permanent address for college, and I'm under his health insurance.

Can I be legally covered as a driver under my mom's policy?

Total Comments: 10

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 03:27 am Post Subject:

There are several issues to be considered here. If your father has kicked you out (and you are 19)...have you checked into the possibility of making your address for college your mom's address? AND if he kicked you out, are you sure he still has you covered under his health insurance?

Your question regarding being covered by your mom's policy...depends on the insurer, but I don't see a problem with it. I have a teenage driver on my policy (long story) and she is in no way related to me. Her address is the same as mine, but I am not a guardian of any type. I have Geico and had no problem, as long as I was willing to pay the higher premium.

A lot of people will tell you that you can drive your mother's car and be covered by her insurance...but it is YOUR responsibility to ensure this to be accurate. Don't assume you will be covered because it sounds as though you will be a regular driver. The easiest way to solve your problem is call the insurance company (your mother will probably have to be the one to call).

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 06:12 am Post Subject:

Hi Jennifer,

Don't start driving your mother's car immediately till you're confirmed of your coverage status. It would have been better for you to stay covered under your mom's policy right now. Did you have a word with your dad regarding your coverage under his policy?

Steven

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 10:26 am Post Subject:

Jannifer, as Chris has menioned I see no issues in your being insured in your mom's policy. Have you asked her to call up her agent and ask?

As far as your DL stating your father's address it wouldn't be an issue either. But make sure that you get the coverage before you start driving the car. Most insurance company wouldn't allow it.

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 12:22 pm Post Subject: insurance

( adding my '2 cents') My son doesn't have a DL yet. However....his dad andI are divorced. My Insurance comapny ( of course) suggested to put him on my Insurance policy when he gets his DL. His dad just ASSUMES that MY Insurance policy will cover my son if he is driving his dad's car, too. The Insurance company, that I go through, suggests that my EX put my son on HIS policy, as well.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 03:38 am Post Subject: Thanks so much everyone !!!

@ Christ Bantly:
Yeah, as of now, he has only kicked me out in regards to my living arrangement.. not sure what's to come though, he tends to threaten cutting me off entirely these days.
My mom and I called the insurance company this morning and they said there's no problem with it - but we're getting written proof to be safe.
Thank for the advice !!

@ Steven:
I talked to my dad regarding the possibility of being covered under his policy but his insurance said that I would only be able to drive his full time and my mom's car "occasionally"... We ruled that option out in that I'm living with my mom so I'm using her car. And of course, I won't start driving til I get the insurance ID card. Thank you !

@Jeorge:
The insurance company gave us the go-ahead this morning but just to be safe we're getting written proof from them saying they allowed it. Thanks !

@sdchargersfan:
From the info I've gathered in trying to sort out my own problem.. it seems that your son should be insured under the policy of whoever's car he will be driving. It's going to be roughly $800/yr for him to be put under ONE policy.. so putting him under both would be a little excessive. Good luck!

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 12:40 am Post Subject: insurance

WOW!! That's alot of money!! But,..of course, he wouldn't drive my car without Insurance. It WOULD be mine. Now.....if he drives his dad's car, he STILL covered from MY policy?

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 01:00 am Post Subject:

As long as he is not driving his father's car on a usual and regular basis (kind of gray area as far as definition)...then he should still be covered by your policy. If, however, he spends equal time driving both vehicles then he would theoretically be required to be on both policies.

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 03:48 am Post Subject:

Hi Jennifer,

I talked to my dad regarding the possibility of being covered under his policy but his insurance said that I would only be able to drive his full time and my mom's car "occasionally"...


So, that means they'd cover you for driving your mom's car occasionally..did they specify anything regarding how frequently you'd be able to drive your mom's car under such circumstances?

but we're getting written proof to be safe.


Till when are you expecting this written proof?

Steven

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 05:56 am Post Subject:

@steven
No, they didn't specify anything on frequency.. But I ruled that option out as I'll be driving my mom's car almost daily. Should I look into that ?
And in regards to the written proof, I got a written statement from our broker saying that having my father's address on my license is not a problem.

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 06:52 am Post Subject:

@Jeorge:
The insurance company gave us the go-ahead this morning but just to be safe we're getting written proof from them saying they allowed it. Thanks !



Hi Jennifer, that's certainly a good news for you :)

Yup, I too agree that since you would be driving your mom's car regularly it doesn't make sense to be covered in your father's insurance. Anyway, Mom needs to add you in her policy since you would be staying with her as well.

By the way, what was the rate quoted by the insurer to add you in the plan? Adding young drivers are often too costly. But there are ways to reduce the cost as well, like-if you are a good student you can avail the 'good student discount'. Have you checked with this option with the insurer?

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