Question: Will my insurance premiums go up if I marry someone with a bad driving record?

Answer :

Marriage vows often promise "for better or for worse." Well, here's one for the worse column. When you get married, you'll need to add your spouse to your insurance policy. And, since insurance companies base premiums in part on the driving record of their insureds, chances are that saying "I do" will affect your premium. Fortunately, many insurers offer discounts (e.g., safe driver, low mileage) to policyholders that can help you lower your premium. If you feel that your premium is still too high after taking advantage of all available discounts, you may want to raise your deductible. Or, if you own an older car with a low resale value, consider waiving your collision and other-than-collision (also known as comprehensive) coverage. Another option to consider is the named insured exclusion, which removes your spouse from your insurance policy. Your spouse can then buy an auto policy for his or her own vehicle. Ask your insurance agent to run the numbers to see what will work best for you.