author-img
Written by:
Prachi Singh
Contributing Writer
Prachi is an insurance writer with a master’s degree in business administration. Through her writing, she hopes to help readers make smart and informed decisions about their finances. She loves to travel and write poetry.
author
Reviewed by:
Laura Longero
reviewer icon
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Question: My husband and I live with my grandmother. Her auto insurer sent her a letter saying that if she doesn’t sign a document stating that my husband won’t drive her car, her policy will be canceled. He doesn’t have a valid license. Can the insurer do this?

Answer: Insurance companies can require policyholders to exclude certain drivers if it finds that person too much of a risk. The policyholder then has the option to sign an exclusion form or to look for a new insurance company that doesn’t require the exclusion.

Your grandmother’s car insurance company feels that your husband being without a valid license is a concern and wants to be assured that he won’t drive any of the insured vehicles in the household, which could result in the insurer holding the bag for claims if there were an accident.

It’s good that your husband isn’t driving because he doesn’t have a valid license, but many insurers won’t take a person’s word. In their opinion, since your husband lives in the home, he has open access to the cars. 

Insurers generally cover the named insured driver and anyone the owner permits to drive the car. They charge premiums based on the drivers’ records the company expects to be behind the wheel.

In this case, the insurer isn’t charging premiums based on your unlicensed husband’s record but — without the exclusion — would be on the hook for the damage he caused while driving your grandmother’s car.

Exclusions aren’t allowed in every state, but in states that do allow it, an insurance company can request an exclusion form be signed to continue to keep a policy active — without fear that a high-risk household member will cost it money. The main categories of drivers insurers will target to exclude include:

  • Individuals without a license
  • Individuals with a suspended or revoked license
  • Individuals with a bad driving record
  • Individuals with a DUI or other major offense
  • Young drivers under 25

If your grandmother signs the exclusion form, her car insurance company should be guaranteed that it wouldn’t be liable to pay for an accident that is at the hands of your unlicensed husband.

Named driver exclusion forms say that if the named person (your husband in this instance) were to drive an insured vehicle, even in an emergency situation, and be in an accident, the car insurance company would not provide any of the coverage or policy benefits.

Suppose your grandmother feels uncomfortable signing this form. In that case, she should shop around for car insurance to find an auto insurer that will offer her a policy without excluding your husband. 

She may find that insurance will be more expensive without excluding your husband since when she compares shops, she will need to disclose that your husband lives in the household and is without a valid license.  But at least she can determine what the cost is to exclude him or not and decide which way she wants to go.

Penny Gusner contributed to this story.

Laura Longero

Ask the Insurance Expert

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

John McCormick

Ask the Insurance Expert

John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

Ask the Insurance Expert

Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

Ask the Insurance Expert

Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

Please Enter Valid Question. Min 50 to max 250 characters are allowed. Only (& ? , .) charcters are allowed.
Please Enter Valid Email.
Error: Security check failed
Thank You, Your message has been received. Our team of auto insurance experts typically answers questions within five working days. Note that due to the volume of questions we receive, not all may be answered. Due to technical error, please try again later.
Compare top carriers in your area Get quotes near you!
Please enter valid zip
author image
Contributing Writer

Prachi is an insurance writer with a master’s degree in business administration. Through her writing, she hopes to help readers make smart and informed decisions about their finances. She loves to travel and write poetry.