How Long Can a Child Stay on Parents’ Car Insurance in PA?

There are no official state laws — and no age requirement — that governs how long a child can stay on their parent’s auto insurance. So, whether your child is 16 or 61, they can remain on your car insurance, provided they live at home and meet other factors.

At Unruh Insurance, we’re a leading auto insurance agency in PA. Not only do we write competitively-priced insurance policies, but we’re also here to help you make sense of every type of insurance. Today, we’re answering one of the most common insurance questions: “How long can a child stay on parent’s car insurance?”

There are numerous situations, factors, and scenarios that can cause you to need separate auto insurance for your kids who live at home. Everything from their driving record to whose name is on the car title can play a role. Learn more about how long a child can stay on their parents’ car insurance — and why getting them a separate plan up front is a smart decision.

Official Rules of Auto Insurance for a Child Living at Home

The most important thing to know about auto insurance for a child living at home is that state law doesn’t govern it — the rules of your specific insurance policy do. The only legal requirement is that they purchase auto insurance if they own a car, the same as any other driver.

Learn about the penalties for driving without insurance in PA.

There is no specific age that stipulates when your child has to have their own auto insurance plan, but there are several other things that can occur which necessitates them needing their own plan. Since it varies somewhat based on the insurance provider, these are just general guidelines — to get information specific to you and your policy, check with your current insurance customer service agent.

In some cases, as soon as a car title is registered in your child’s name, they must have a standalone car insurance plan. However, if you are a co-owner of the car, they can remain on your insurance plan. Once again, though, this isn’t the case for every insurance company, but it is a common practice.

One factor that limits how long a child can stay on their parents’ car insurance is their driving record. Since new drivers tend to be more accident prone than long-established drivers, insurance providers pay careful attention to this. If your child gets in several accidents or has multiple infractions, the insurance company may remove them from the family plan.

Learn the most common reasons your car insurance rates go up.

Finally, as soon as a child moves out of the house, they need to have separate car insurance coverage, as they will no longer be eligible under the family plan. The one exception to this is when your child goes away for college, as most insurance plans treat this as though they still live at home.

Key Reasons to Get Them Their Own Insurance Plan

While there is no limit to how long a child can stay on their parents’ car insurance plan, getting them separate coverage can be a smart financial choice. The two main reasons for this are:

Pro-tip: as soon as they are licensed, they are ready for their own plan. Learn more about the numerous benefits that can come with getting a separate insurance policy for a teen driver.

Get a Free Quote from Unruh Insurance

Now you have the answer to the big question, “how long can a child stay on parent’s car insurance?” — and if you need a quote on a policy for you, your family, or your child, you’re in the right place.

Unruh Insurance is a Pennsylvania auto insurance agency and is one of the largest Erie insurance agents in the state. We believe in combining unbeatable insurance coverage with a personal relationship with our agency.

If you think you’re paying too much for your car insurance —or you want to get a separate plan for one or more of your children— contact us today for a FREE quote!