In the state of Massachusetts, there are very specific rules listing household members on MA auto insurance policies. This applies to all drivers located at the same address and thereby a member of your household. Here’s what you should know.
Household Members Must Be Noted As Drivers
If your vehicles are likely to be driven by other members of the same household, then you must list them as drivers on your MA auto insurance policy. Household members can be everyday drivers or even occasional drivers. The most common people that you would list are your spouse and children. However, there may be cases where you have extended family members living at the same address (either temporarily or permanently) who may borrow your vehicle from time-to-time. Those drivers should be listed as well.
Cost of Insurance
Listing other household members as authorized drivers of your vehicle may or may not have an impact on your MA auto insurance rates. It depends on whether those drivers have their own insurance coverage. Here are two examples:
- Uninsured Drivers – Your children may not have their own MA auto insurance policy, but they may drive your vehicle. In this case, adding them to your policy will increase your auto insurance rates.
- Insured Drivers – Some members of your household may have their own vehicle and their own separate auto insurance. Adding them as drivers to your vehicle will not impact your insurance premiums.
Danger of Not Listing Household Members on MA Auto Insurance Policies
Failing to properly list members of your household as drivers on your auto insurance policy can have dire consequences. If that driver borrows your vehicle and gets into an accident, you may be denied coverage! This means that damages to your vehicle and personal injuries will not be covered. If another vehicle/driver is involved, damages to them and their vehicle may not be covered by your insurance either. So, you will be without a car and will probably be sued by the other driver for their damages and injuries. Think of the financial hardship that this could create! Play it safe and list all members of your household that may drive your vehicle at any time.