Auto insurance for kids at service academies.

[parentalunit2]

Our policy changes a college student away from home without a vehicle to a 'household member'. Also, if you are calling in to speak with someone about switching your young driver to an inactive status, take time to update the estimated annual miles driven for each vehicle. We have been able to save a ton, thanks to the pandemic and way less driving, by doing this. It may not calculate in to how every company gets to your premium figure, but it sure did in our case!

 

[Day-Tripper]

We use State Farm. I called the agent, explained the situation, was switched to something like a “driver away at school” policy and gained significant savings. Don’t know what other companies offer, but when in doubt, I opt to speak to a live person rather than rely on formulaic options found online.

In Massachusetts we could remove (when at school) and add back (Xmas, summer) DS from the auto policy twice a year. Saved some. At one point we had 3 kids on our policy: $6K/year. Ouch. Now we have none & we're down to just the misses & I: $1600/year. Much nicer.

Now if they just their own cell phones, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.

 

[Impulsive]

For Geico and USAA, they both offer "AD Deployed Military" for policyholders and families. Greatly reduced the cost, and they are still named on our policy. I am not an Insurance specialist, but be careful about "removing them" as they will then be uninsured. And as for the poster who likened removal to their brother borrowing their car, BIG difference as their brother likely has their own insurance that covers them driving ANY car.

 

[justdoit19]

For Geico and USAA, they both offer "AD Deployed Military" for policyholders and families. Greatly reduced the cost, and they are still named on our policy. I am not an Insurance specialist, but be careful about "removing them" as they will then be uninsured. And as for the poster who likened removal to their brother borrowing their car, BIG difference as their brother likely has their own insurance that covers them driving ANY car.

But the car is insured. Not the driver. We have Geico. And the advised ok to remove our Mids. And they can drive when home. Huge savings.

Maybe it depends on the state?

Talk to your agent. Talk to different agents (as in get quotes).

 

[Impulsive]

But the car is insured. Not the driver. We have Geico. And the advised ok to remove our Mids. And they can drive when home. Huge savings.

Maybe it depends on the state?

Talk to your agent. Talk to different agents (as in get quotes).

Maybe different states are different, but normally it is NOT the vehicle, but the driver who must have insurance. If it were "the car" then every parent would be crazy to put their unmarried children on their insurance. The savings would be immense, and I certainly would have "excluded" our children and cut our insurance by about 75%. My understanding is that if someone "other than a named insured" wants to use your vehicle, they have to have insurance either on their own or with a different carrier. I would make an assumption that if someone (not a family member) was visiting and used your vehicle that there is clause on non-family members that covers them. I do not know for sure, but IMHO the risk is not worth the savings.

In our state, if your car is in an accident that causes death or bodily harm, or property damage over $500 and an "uninsured driver" is in operation, you, as well as the driver, are open to major litigation. The lawyers ALWAYS go after who has the most assets. Some homestead and retirement protections are there, but it is not worth the possible costs. Again, I preface this as "in our state", I am not an attorney nor am I familiar with nationwide laws regarding being insured.

If your agent told you to do it, get it in writing that they are covered when driving your vehicles. In this lawsuit happy society we live in I would not like a surprise. The company or agent should have no issues giving you something in writing or specified in your policy about uninsured drivers being covered. I would offer, that it's possible if their permanent address was different from yours, you may be right (as most people do not ask for proof of insurance if a friend or relative not lining in the same household asked to borrow your vehicle). But if your children are using your address as theirs then be careful and make sure you get what the agent says in writing.

Just as a reference, our GEICO agent told us that if our student was using our home address they needed to be listed on the policy, either as a named insured, or that they carry their own insurance to be insured when driving our vehicles.

 

[jebdad]

Maybe different states are different, but normally it is NOT the vehicle, but the driver who must have insurance. If it were "the car" then every parent would be crazy to put their unmarried children on their insurance. The savings would be immense, and I certainly would have "excluded" our children and cut our insurance by about 75%. My understanding is that if someone "other than a named insured" wants to use your vehicle, they have to have insurance either on their own or with a different carrier. I would make an assumption that if someone (not a family member) was visiting and used your vehicle that there is clause on non-family members that covers them. I do not know for sure, but IMHO the risk is not worth the savings.

In our state, if your car is in an accident that causes death or bodily harm, or property damage over $500 and an "uninsured driver" is in operation, you, as well as the driver, are open to major litigation. The lawyers ALWAYS go after who has the most assets. Some homestead and retirement protections are there, but it is not worth the possible costs. Again, I preface this as "in our state", I am not an attorney nor am I familiar with nationwide laws regarding being insured.

If your agent told you to do it, get it in writing that they are covered when driving your vehicles. In this lawsuit happy society we live in I would not like a surprise. The company or agent should have no issues giving you something in writing or specified in your policy about uninsured drivers being covered. I would offer, that it's possible if their permanent address was different from yours, you may be right (as most people do not ask for proof of insurance if a friend or relative not lining in the same household asked to borrow your vehicle). But if your children are using your address as theirs then be careful and make sure you get what the agent says in writing.

Just as a reference, our GEICO agent told us that if our student was using our home address they needed to be listed on the policy, either as a named insured, or that they carry their own insurance to be insured when driving our vehicles.

I work in the Industry. Your understanding of how car insurance works is inaccurate. You need to talk to a local agent you trust.

Insurance follows the car.

 

[Impulsive]

I work in the Industry. Your understanding of how car insurance works is inaccurate. You need to talk to a local agent you trust.

Insurance follows the car.

Thank You, I will call the agent again! But if it is the car, what would prevent parents from NOT insuring their children and saving lots on insurance? I would have loved to only have my wife and I on our cars and not our kids, the difference would have been over $4000.00 a year.

 

[jebdad]

Some people try it! . Much of insurance is a good faith representation of your situation to the carrier. Technology and knowing who resides in house makes it difficult to misrepresent these days. That being said, insurance is state driven so always check your states laws but in most cases insurance on car is primary and the driver's insurance is excess. Thus, in most cases those you give permission to drive your car, you are also sharing your insurance.

 

[justdoit19]

Maybe different states are different, but normally it is NOT the vehicle, but the driver who must have insurance. If it were "the car" then every parent would be crazy to put their unmarried children on their insurance. The savings would be immense, and I certainly would have "excluded" our children and cut our insurance by about 75%. My understanding is that if someone "other than a named insured" wants to use your vehicle, they have to have insurance either on their own or with a different carrier. I would make an assumption that if someone (not a family member) was visiting and used your vehicle that there is clause on non-family members that covers them. I do not know for sure, but IMHO the risk is not worth the savings.

In our state, if your car is in an accident that causes death or bodily harm, or property damage over $500 and an "uninsured driver" is in operation, you, as well as the driver, are open to major litigation. The lawyers ALWAYS go after who has the most assets. Some homestead and retirement protections are there, but it is not worth the possible costs. Again, I preface this as "in our state", I am not an attorney nor am I familiar with nationwide laws regarding being insured.

If your agent told you to do it, get it in writing that they are covered when driving your vehicles. In this lawsuit happy society we live in I would not like a surprise. The company or agent should have no issues giving you something in writing or specified in your policy about uninsured drivers being covered. I would offer, that it's possible if their permanent address was different from yours, you may be right (as most people do not ask for proof of insurance if a friend or relative not lining in the same household asked to borrow your vehicle). But if your children are using your address as theirs then be careful and make sure you get what the agent says in writing.

Just as a reference, our GEICO agent told us that if our student was using our home address they needed to be listed on the policy, either as a named insured, or that they carry their own insurance to be insured when driving our vehicles.

Interestingly, one of our geico Mids could be removed as a named driver. And was. Amd saved a bunch of $$ (we have 5 cars, 3 boys…$$$). And one couldn’t, bc he had a claim within two years of the date (my business brain telling me, to recoup monies geico has paid out from him). *note to self, he can be removed now*. Yes, all per geico. And yes, explicitly stated that they can all drive, even if not a named person, all of our autos. Bc the auto carries the auto insurance policy. And anyone I give permission to drive my car, has the insurance coverage I pay for on my car. Now if the LIVE here physically? In the home? Yes, they must be a named driver.

Fast forward to the one auto now in Annapolis? It actually had to be removed from our policies, and underwritten with its own, under MD laws/requirements. Even with a MD geico auto specialist (had to be transferred to a new person who could write in MD).

So IDK, check with a couple different companies if looking. Ask specific questions, relating to your own specific situation, of your agent, if not looking for a new policy. And everyone’s comfort level with insurance is unique to them. There isn’t a blanket answer for all.

 

[justdoit19]

Thank You, I will call the agent again! But if it is the car, what would prevent parents from NOT insuring their children and saving lots on insurance? I would have loved to only have my wife and I on our cars and not our kids, the difference would have been over $4000.00 a year.

BC if your student, underage, resides with you, in the home, they must be a named driver. Paperwork required us to attest to all known regular drivers (our kids). Not including them woukd have been lying. That’s how it is here. Again, we do carry geico (and love them, BTW).

If your student lives away at college, or isn’t allowed to drive (an SA), it’s can be different. You do need to check it’s out. Good luck!!

PS: anyone want to talk about medical insurance related to you SA kids?? Our family is about to drop TWO from family medical, and TWO Cars (and drivers). We are feeling like we about hit the lottery

 

[Impulsive]

BC if your student, underage, resides with you, in the home, they must be a named driver. Paperwork required us to attest to all known regular drivers (our kids). Not including them woukd have been lying. That’s how it is here. Again, we do carry geico (and love them, BTW).

If your student lives away at college, or isn’t allowed to drive (an SA), it’s can be different. You do need to check it’s out. Good luck!!

PS: anyone want to talk about medical insurance related to you SA kids?? Our family is about to drop TWO from family medical, and TWO Cars (and drivers). We are feeling like we about hit the lottery

After speaking with Geico, their "suggestion" was that even if you have a "student" who lives away from home (without a car), if their permanent address is yours, and they use your vehicles when home, they should be on your policy (as they are considered residing at your address). When pressed about the "should", his comment was that if they are an immediate family member (same last name and address) then it could become an issue if an accident were to occur and a named insured was not in the vehicle. His "suggestion" was to keep them on the policy as either Deployed Military (AD) or Occasional Driver (ROTC or civilian driver) to protect yourself legally. I think maybe Florida is trouble as far as auto insurance because of all the fraud and staged accidents and lawsuits (we have "accident" attorneys on every block ). My wife and I determined it was more cost effective to just keep them on our policy and pay the reduced costs than in the worst case having to fight the insurer with or hire an attorney if something happened and Geico refused coverage.

The agent did say, that IF your child (any age) had a different "permanent" address that they would then be considered a guest and be covered under our insurance (ie: their DL showed a different state or physical address).

We have friends who got into the situation here where their insurer refused coverage because of an uninsured motorist (not in the family) and ended up having to fix their vehicles themselves. Had they been unfortunate enough to have their child "cause" the accident, the costs may have been astronomical.

I am not doubting @justdoit19 or @jebdad, but I would get any coverages for children studying away but using your address in writing or indicated on your policy, JMHO.

 

[golfindad]

After speaking with Geico, their "suggestion" was that even if you have a "student" who lives away from home (without a car), if their permanent address is yours, and they use your vehicles when home, they should be on your policy (as they are considered residing at your address). When pressed about the "should", his comment was that if they are an immediate family member (same last name and address) then it could become an issue if an accident were to occur and a named insured was not in the vehicle. His "suggestion" was to keep them on the policy as either Deployed Military (AD) or Occasional Driver (ROTC or civilian driver) to protect yourself legally. I think maybe Florida is trouble as far as auto insurance because of all the fraud and staged accidents and lawsuits (we have "accident" attorneys on every block ). My wife and I determined it was more cost effective to just keep them on our policy and pay the reduced costs than in the worst case having to fight the insurer with or hire an attorney if something happened and Geico refused coverage.

The agent did say, that IF your child (any age) had a different "permanent" address that they would then be considered a guest and be covered under our insurance (ie: their DL showed a different state or physical address).

We have friends who got into the situation here where their insurer refused coverage because of an uninsured motorist (not in the family) and ended up having to fix their vehicles themselves. Had they been unfortunate enough to have their child "cause" the accident, the costs may have been astronomical.

I am not doubting @justdoit19 or @jebdad, but I would get any coverages for children studying away but using your address in writing or indicated on your policy, JMHO.

There is a difference between using a company that understands the academies and one that simply assumes it is like college. Under the USAA plan, your mid would not be named on the policy, formally, but would not be dropped from it either. The mid is not charged, and, during holiday leave, etc., you do not have to put the mid back on and take the mid off. When the mid has a vehicle at the academy, this changes of course. If you have USAA, and the initial insurance specialist does not know of the Academy program, ask to be transferred up the chain. You keep your mid insured, so that he/she has no lapse in coverage periods, and there is coverage for when he/she comes home, but, the premium is not charged for such.

 

[2025 hopeful]

I will also add that Geico has a military customer service number. I have always found it to be a lot easier to deal with the military customer service than the regular number as they have agents that are more familiar with the military intricacies, similar to dealing with USAA.

 

[Colorado2026]

Are service academies considered “military bases”? Our agent told us we can only save money if our son is deployed or living on a military base.

 

[Capt MJ]

Are service academies considered “military bases”? Our agent told us we can only save money if our son is deployed or living on a military base.

Yes. They are most definitely on a military base/post/installation.

 

[LTBob87]

Yes. They are most definitely on a military base/post/installation.

I have USAA and their off to school definition is over 150 miles from HOR. I was not able to drop my daughter to minimal driving because her university is about 60 miles from home in another town. Even though she is there without a car, I still have to pay.

 

[justdoit19]

I have USAA and their off to school definition is over 150 miles from HOR. I was not able to drop my daughter to minimal driving because her university is about 60 miles from home in another town. Even though she is there without a car, I still have to pay.

Do they understand she isn’t ALLOWED to drive? Sometime you have to clarify. Or talk to someone else. USAA of all places should understand, I would think.

 

[LTBob87]

Do they understand she isn’t ALLOWED to drive? Sometime you have to clarify. Or talk to someone else. USAA of all places should understand, I would think.

That DD I am referring to is at a CIV school. I was using her as an example of their distance policy. She is in no way associated with any military service.

 

[justdoit19]

That DD I am referring to is at a CIV school. I was using her as an example of their distance policy. She is in no way associated with any military service.

Gotchya. That’s the same response we got with our oldest at regular college. Too close to our home. Same as you.

I misunderstood.

 

[LS1988]

DD would like to have a car next year during her 2C year on the yard. I've read differing opinions regarding insurance. Can anyone let me know what your DD or DS has done? Thanks in advance!