How to Insure a Car in Another State if You Are Not the Primary Driver

Insuring a car in a different state makes sense if you commute for work (or study) in a state other than your permanent residence. However if you are not the primary driver, insurance companies may not cover you. In such cases, the best you can do is to have yourself added to the primary driver’s existing policy. In a nutshell, you may have to either become the primary driver, or get added to the existing insurance policy of the primary driver to be insured.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Talk to the insurance company of the primary driver and inquire what options are possible. They will most likely suggest that you either ask the primary driver to add you as an additional driver or register the car in your name (again making you the primary driver of the car). Once this is done, you can be insured in a different state.

2. Contact your local DMV and arrange for transferring the title of the car in case you plan to get the car registered in your name. This works well if you are a student driving a car registered in your parent’s name. Your parents may not object to transferring the car.

3. If you drive your company’s car, ask them to add your name to their existing insurance policy.

4. Work out a way to insure a non-primary driver with the least possible premium payments for all the scenarios mentioned above. For instance, you may be driving the car only occasionally. The insurance company would offer a reduced premium in such cases.
   
   

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the primary driver has a good driving record or history. This will help lower your premium as an additional driver
• Understand the legal procedure in the event of accidents or claims.
• Ask specifically what is covered and what isn’t under such a policy.
• Apply for residency in the other state if nothing else works.