Expert: Charlie Barone - 4/16/2009

Question
Hello:

I live in the state of Connecticut.  I was wondering if you would know the answer to this what may seem to be "stupid" question.  Have you ever heard of a law that states "When you get married, you have no choice but to put your spouse down as a driver of your car even if your spouse has their own car and does not drive yours?"  My wife wants to change her car insurance carrier and they are telling her that she HAS to put me down as a driver of her car even though I have my own car and almost never drive hers.  Even if she was to give me permission to drive her car to the store, I hold a valid Connecticut drivers license.  But back to the main question.  Do you know of a law that states "When you get married, you have no choice but to put your spouse down as a driver of your car even if your spouse has their own car and does not drive yours?"

thanks,

Paul

Answer
Dear Paul,

To the best of my knowledge, and I should remind you that I am an expert in collision repair and auto insurance claims, as opposed to underwriting issues like the one you have posed, all licensed drivers in the same household must be listed on the policy. For example, my 18 year old son, despite having his own car, must be insured to drive my car by virtue of him living with me.

One thing you mentioned was that you "almost never drive" your wife's car. While the fact you live with her makes you a driver in the eyes of an insurance company, the fact that you do have the occasion, albeit rare, to drive her car. Therefore you must be insured.

Charlie