What is the cost of adding an additional driver to an insurance policy?
My mom can no longer drive since she just had her license revoked. She’s really upset about losing her independence and refuses to use Uber, senior vans, or have anyone other than family drive her. Right now, the only one driving her is me, and I could really use some assistance. We’re planning to discuss transportation options with her tonight, but the insurance company is closed at the moment.
We’re considering having her grandson (my son) help with driving. He’s in grad school locally, lives with us, and can easily walk to school or catch a ride from a friend. He aimed to graduate debt-free, so he doesn’t have a car or any car insurance. Before suggesting that he assist with driving, I wanted to check how much it would cost to add him to our policy (which is held by my husband and me). He’s been licensed for 10 years with a perfect record, and my husband and I also maintain flawless records for over 20 years. The car he would drive is a 12-year-old Lexus. We have full coverage on our vehicles and currently pay under $1,100 a year for two cars (the other one is a 16-year-old truck that my husband, a former mechanic, has kept in great shape). We live in a rural area in the southwest.
I’d appreciate any insights on potential costs. Is it something like $10 a month, or could it significantly increase our policy? I don’t want to bring it up to my mom if it’s going to be very expensive, especially since tonight is the only night we can all be together this week. Thank you!
Adding an additional driver to your insurance policy can vary in cost depending on several factors such as the insurance provider, your location, and the driving history of the driver being added. Since your son has a perfect driving record and has been licensed for 10 years, you may find that the cost is reasonable.
In many cases, adding a driver with a clean record to an existing policy might only increase your premium by a small amount, possibly ranging from $10 to $50 per month, but this can differ significantly from one insurer to another. Given that your family has a strong driving record and you drive an older vehicle, your overall rate might not increase dramatically.
To get a more accurate estimate, I recommend checking directly with your insurance provider. Since they are closed right now, it might be helpful to mention this plan to your mom tonight, emphasizing that you’ll confirm the cost as soon as you can. If it seems reasonable, it could be a great solution to her transportation needs.
In the meantime, you could also consider asking your insurance company about potential discounts for having a driver on the policy who is a family member with a good record, which could help offset any added costs!
Good luck with your conversation tonight!