Reader’s Question:

Is it true that an accident has to happen first before I can add my teenager to the policy?

Caroline

Thank you for asking Caroline.

No, It is actually not a normal practice for an insurance company to wait for an accident before they can add your son to your policy. Usually, if a licensed household driver has not been reported to the insurance carrier and properly added on the policy then their claim may be denied.

Most insurance providers would require you to inform them of all licensed drivers in the household and have them listed on your policy. If an individual is a licensed driver but not listed on the policy or you have not informed your insurers of the license status of all household members then this could be considered as a form of fraud.

In some states if a licensed driver in the household was not placed on your insurance policy and had an accident your insurance provider may accept the claim for their collision but you would have to pay the premiums that should have been paid to the insurance company since the individual was licensed driver and should have been added on the policy.

It seems that you reside in Rochester, NY. According to the New York State Insurance Department, an insurance company is allowed to consider all resident drivers of an insured car in rating of an auto insurance policy. Even if your child only has the learner’s permit, he/she is still included.

New York state insurance companies are allowed to use classifications that reflect a possible exposure for liability on the part of the insurance company, in the event of an accident due to that child’s operation of the car.

Goodluck!

MariCAR