Should My Roommate be Listed on My Auto Insurance Policy?
In Florida, every member of your household who is able to drive must be listed on your policy. In insurance terms, a driver can be anyone who has the knowledge and ability to drive, even if they don’t have a license. Therefore, if someone in your family has a suspended or revoked license then they would still technically need to be listed as a driver on your policy.
To complicate matters further, “household members” from an insurance company’s perspective may not even live with you full time and still be required to be listed on your policy. This is true in situations where a child is in shared custody or a relative is listed on your registration.
There is a common eyebrow-raising reaction when this topic is discussed with policyholders due to the inevitable premium increase that comes with adding a driver. The fact of the matter is that many people are leaving themselves open for substantial risk by omitting someone from their insurance policy. Not to mention, insurance carriers maintain the right to cancel your coverage if they find out that you have left a driver off of your policy.
The follow up question to adding a household member to a policy usually involves the mention of a Driver Exclusion. Florida does allow for policy holders to exclude members of their residence. However, there is a warning that should be heeded when attempting to exclude a licensed driver in your home. If an excluded driver uses your vehicle, for whatever reason, you could be liable for any damages and injuries, especially if that person doesn’t carry their own insurance. While a live-in friend or relative may cause a slight increase to your insurance premium, you may be saving yourself from a financial catastrophe by adding them as a driver on your insurance policy.
Moore Resources is an Independent Insurance Agency located in St. Petersburg, FL and offering Homeowners Insurance, Auto Insurance, Personal Insurance and Business Insurance. Our reach extends beyond the Tampa Bay area to the entire state of Florida. Moore Resources has regionally been dedicated to serving the local residents of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, Manatee and Sarasota counties; including St. Pete, Tampa, Clearwater, Bradenton, Brandon, Dunedin, Gulfport, Lakeland, Largo, Lutz, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Riverview, Ruskin, Seffner, Seminole, Temple Terrace, Tierra Verde, Town n Country, and the Gulf Coast Beaches.
The purpose of this blog is to present general information only. It does not interpret specific policies or coverage. In order to obtain detailed information regarding your insurance, contact a licensed insurance agent.
