‘Excluding’ vs. ‘Removing’ Drivers From Car Insurance
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Excluding a driver from your car insurance might sound like the same thing as removing someone from a policy. But excluding and removing mean different things to an insurance company.
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Removing a driver
You may choose to remove a driver if a household member moves out and no longer drives your car regularly.
Examples:
A young-adult child leaves the nest.
A soon-to-be ex-spouse moves out.
You will need to call your insurer to remove a driver from your policy. Some providers may let you remove a driver online or through its app.
Considerations
Drivers shouldn’t be removed unless they don’t live with you anymore. Some insurers may request proof before removing a driver.
It’s best to keep college students who are away at school on the policy if they drive the car when home on breaks.
Instead of removing college students, ask the company for an “away at school” discount.
Insurance for the removed driver
Keep in mind, a driver who doesn’t live with you would still be covered when driving your car occasionally with permission. All licensed drivers in the household should be listed on the policy unless they’ve been excluded.
If you remove someone who still lives with you, coverage for that person when driving your car is uncertain.
Excluding a driver
You can exclude a driver if your or your insurance company doesn’t want someone in the household covered under the policy.
Examples:
A young-adult child has a suspended license because of a bad driving record.
A spouse with a bad driving record has separate car insurance. Excluding the spouse from your policy prevents the bad record from increasing your rates.
To remove a driver from your policy, contact your insurance company and fill out a driver exclusion form.
Considerations
The rules for excluding drivers vary by state and insurance company, and not all states allow exclusions.
An exclusion lasts until you request its removal.
Insurance for the removed driver
Generally, an accident won’t be covered if the excluded driver uses your car. For example, you might not be held liable for an accident if an excluded driver takes the car without permission, but you might have to prove the driver stole the vehicle.
Some states let you exclude only drivers who can prove they have their own insurance.
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