I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan and I would like to know if I have to name my sixteen year old son as a driver on my car insurance policy? I have been told that if I have auto insurance then anyone I permit to drive my car is covered.

Jerome

Ann Arbor, MI

Most insurance carriers in Ann Arbor, Michigan require you to list all licensed household members on your car insurance policy since they are a risk factor the insurance carrier is allowed to take into account when determining your car insurance rates. According to the MI insurance regulator, the Office of Financial and Insurance Services, in their insurance consumer information sheet that your insurance carrier will ask about all licensed drivers in your household and look up their driving history as part of the rating process.

While automobile insurance normally covers those that the vehicle owner gives permission to operate it, the insurance carrier also has the right to require as part of your car insurance policy that you tell them of all licensed household members so they can pull their driving history and rate you accordingly. Friends that may borrow your vehicle from time to time are not the same type of risk for an insurance companies and that is why friends and neighbors are not required to be listed on your auto insurance policy while household members are. Household members obviously have access to the automobile that those living outside of your residence do not.

If your son is just starting the Michigan graduated driver licensing (GDL) process and only has his learner’s license you should inform your insurance carrier. It may be that they will permit you to wait until he is fully licensed before requiring him to be added or will want him added now at this stage.

You can contact your insurance carrier to determine what they require of you regarding listing your sixteen year old son on the car insurance policy. If you have specific MI insurance law questions you can contact the Michigan insurance regulator.

I have two teenage daughters that are going to be 16 in a few months. They will be obtaining their license shortly after that. Will they automatically be insured once they get their license on my insurance policy? They will only be driving with an adult. Do I have to add them on my insurance policy? As long as they drive one of my vehicles are they covered?

Howard

Bridgeport, CT

Insurance guidelines and state laws differ so you will need to inform your insurance company’s agent and discuss the licensing of your teenage daughters and when they will need to be added to the policy.

An insurance company is allowed to consider all resident operators of an insured car in rating of an auto insurance policy. This includes your teens, even if he or she has only a learner’s permit.

Some insurance providers will not require children to be added during the permit stage but will once they obtain their junior, provisional or full license. Other insurance companies have internal guidelines that require you to add your teens as soon as they start the licensing process. If you want to know the state laws regarding auto insurance for teens you can contact your state’s insurance regulator.