Can married couples have separate car insurance policies?

As long as a married couple does not share cars, they can have separate car insurance policies. While it is usually better for couples to share a car insurance policy for car insurance discounts, some couples choose to keep separate policies because of poor driving records, expensive cars, or similar financial reasons.  

We’ve covered when a married couple can have separate car insurance policies, when they should keep them separate, and when they should consider having one policy together. Read on to learn more about car insurance for married couples. 

When is it okay to have separate car insurance for married couples? 

Yes, married couples can have separate insurance policies. However, you must have different cars and put each other down as excluded drivers. Keep in mind that you risk being dropped by your insurer if the company finds out you’ve let your spouse drive your car even though you excluded your spouse from your insurance policy. 

Being dropped by an insurer can make it harder to find insurance coverage. So if you plan on your spouse driving your car, make sure you add them as a listed driver or policyholder on your auto insurance. 

Why Married Couples Choose to Have Separate Policies 

There are several reasons married couples may choose to have separate car insurance policies. Some of the most common reasons for different car insurance coverage are: 

• One spouse has a poor driving record. If one driver has high rates because of a poor driving record or has to carry high-risk insurance, it usually makes more sense to carry two separate policies. 
• One spouse has an expensive car. If one driver has a sports car that the other spouse doesn’t drive, it’s usually best to have separate policies. 
• One spouse has a poor credit score. If one driver has a poor credit score that results in high car insurance rates, some couples will choose to keep their policies separate. 

Often, it is better financially for a married couple to keep separate car insurance policies in these situations. Having two separate insurance policies in any of these situations can often be cheaper than having one car insurance policy together. 

Read more:

• Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Don’t Require Spouses To Be on the Same Policy
• Can I have two car insurance policies on one car?
• Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Allow Spouse Exclusions
• Does car insurance cover excluded drivers?

When to Consider Combining Car Insurance for Marries Couples

If you don’t have one spouse with high rates or an expensive vehicle, combining car insurance policies usually makes more sense. Married couples typically qualify for discounts and lower rates, as two people are more likely to make consistent payments than just one driver. Married couples can also earn discounts like a multi-car discount. 

Some of the reasons to consider combining car insurance policies are: 

• Cheaper rates. Usually, getting one insurance policy together earns you more affordable rates. Some insurers even have a discount for married couples. 
• Easier to keep track of plan information. When you combine car insurance policies, you only have one renewal date and payment date to track.
• Covered when driving each other’s vehicles. You will both be covered if you drive each other’s cars. 
• Easier to bundle. One car insurance policy makes it easier to bundle joint policies like home insurance with your car insurance. 

Typically, married couples discover that maintaining a joint car insurance policy is both simpler and more cost-effective, unless one spouse incurs exceptionally high rates. It’s advisable to compare joint ownership car insurance options in such cases. It is easier to get discounts and eliminates concerns about driving each other’s vehicles.

Case Studies: Separate Car Insurance Policies for Married Couples

Case Study 1: Financial Considerations

John and Sarah have been married for five years. They both have poor driving records, which resulted in high insurance rates.

To save money, they decided to maintain separate car insurance policies. By doing so, they were able to find more affordable coverage individually, despite their driving history.

Case Study 2: Expensive Cars

Emily and Michael are a married couple with different car preferences. Emily owns a luxury sports car, while Michael prefers a practical sedan.

Due to the high value and unique coverage needs of Emily’s car, they opted for separate car insurance policies. This allowed them to tailor the coverage for each vehicle, ensuring adequate protection while also managing costs effectively.

Case Study 3: Excluded Drivers

Mark and Lisa have separate car insurance policies because Mark has a history of accidents and Lisa wants to protect her clean driving record.

They added each other as excluded drivers on their respective policies, which helped them maintain affordable coverage while addressing their individual risk factors.

The Final Word on Separate Car Insurance Policies for Married Couples 

Married couples can have separate car insurance policies, but they need to list each other as an excluded driver on their car insurance policies and have different vehicles. It is better to share one car insurance policy in most cases unless one driver has exceptionally high insurance rates.  

If you are looking for a separate insurance policy for yourself, the best way to find affordable car insurance rates is to shop with car insurance providers in your area using an online rate comparison tool.