Adding a Teen to my Auto Insurance Policy in New Mexico
Reader’s Question:
Does my teenage son need to be listed as a driver on my car insurance policy even if he does not live in the same home in Santa Fe, NM as me and he only drives my vehicle maybe two times a year?
Denver
Santa Fe, NM
Insurance carrier’s guidelines differ regarding those that need to be added as drivers or occasional drivers so to know what your insurance company requires in your specific situation ask your car insurance agent.
An occasional driver is the person who is not the principal or primary driver of the car and the definition for principal driver is the individual who drives the vehicle most often.
Generally insurance carriers permit coverage under your personal car insurance policy for an occasional driver provided that motorist does not reside in your household and the car is parked at your dwelling at the end of the day.
If your teen son has moved out and resides on his on, therefore is no longer considered in any way to be a household member, typically then you will not have to add him to the car insurance policy as a driver if he visits a few times a year and drives your car. If however ever comes back to reside with you he would need to be added to the car insurance policy as a driver normally because then he would be a licensed household member.
