Keeping It in the Family: Multi-Car Auto Insurance
Updated: Sep 20, 2020
Car insurance is one of those things that we are often annoyed we have to pay for. We pay monthly premiums and, in exchange, we are compliant with state law and have peace of mind. Still, we don’t really feel the benefits of having car insurance until we need it. When our car is damaged or stolen, we are grateful for our coverage. When we get into an accident, we can rest easy knowing that our insurance company will cover most of the costs.
Unfortunately, every time we have to use our car insurance, there is usually a negative effect on our rates. When insurance companies have to pay, they see the driver as more of a liability and often require them to pay higher premiums. That is why it is important to find discounts wherever you can. One way to do that is by insuring multiple cars with one policy. Read on for details.
Potential Savings
Insurance companies frequently offer incentives to gain more of your business. If you are giving them more vehicles to insure, they will often provide a discount. Multi-car insurance is a great option for families with multiple drivers or couples who have two cars. This can also be a good option for individuals who have more than one car for themselves. With family plans, some insurance companies will allow you to add people who live at a different address. This works well for covering children who may be living at college. Make sure that you ask to see if your insurance company provides this option.
Most multi-car policies will cover up to 5 cars. When you secure the policy, you provide the information for each car and renew all of this together when it is time. It is important to note that drivers on the policy cannot necessarily drive all covered cars. They have to be registered as named drivers for each car they will be potentially driving.
Impact on Drivers
In a multi-car policy, the drivers and the matter of the car. Everyone’s rates can be impacted by the rates for one car or driver. For example, the rates for a middle-aged woman will increase if a teenage boy is added to the policy. Another example would be if everyone in the family drives a sedan and then dad wants to add a sports car, which will drag the prices up. You could consider getting a separate policy for this new car and having the remaining family cars on a multi-car policy.
The Takeaway
Make sure that you always compare the rates for a multi-car policy with the cost of insuring each vehicle separately. That ensures that you are getting the best deal. Sometimes, combining cars on one policy can save you a bundle. Other times, it’s not a cost-effective option. Compare quotes from different companies and see what your options are.