Study Abroad, Travel Contracts, Long Hospital Stays: Should They Stay on the Policy?
The situations this covers
A college student on a semester abroad, a travel nurse on a 13-week contract out of state, a spouse on a long work assignment, a family member in an extended hospital or care stay, or someone serving time in custody. In each case a person listed on the policy will not be driving the household's cars for a while, and will very likely be back. The decision is less about saving money for a few months than about making sure nobody is uncovered on the day they return, or on a surprise weekend home. Military deployment has its own considerations and its own page.
The three options, and what each really means
| Option | What it means | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Keep them listed, with a note | Coverage continues as if nothing changed; some insurers adjust for a driver who is away | Whether any adjustment exists varies by insurance company |
| Remove them for now | They are off the policy until re-added | They are not covered if they come home early and drive before being re-added |
| Exclude them by name | Under Insurance Code section 11580.1, with the named insured's signature, the excluded driver has no coverage at all under the policy | Built for people who will never drive the car, not for a temporary absence |
The week before they leave
- Call the insurer with dates: when they leave, when they expect to return, and where they will be.
- Ask which option it offers and get the answer in writing, including what happens if they come home early.
- Decide about their car, if they have one: keep it insured as is, reduce coverage while it is parked, or, if it will be off public roads for a full registration year, consider planned non-operation.
- Make sure their license stays valid, including renewal dates that fall while they are away.
Within 30 days
- Update the mileage on the car they used most. Annual miles is the second mandatory factor under Insurance Code section 1861.02, and a car that sits deserves a lower estimate.
- Re-assign the car if someone else in the house will now drive it.
- If they will drive where they are going, do not assume your California policy follows them. For Mexico, the U.S. Embassy says U.S. insurance is not sufficient and a separate Mexican policy is needed; anywhere else, they should check the local requirements and the rental company's coverage before they drive.
- Keep the policy paid. If the absent person usually paid part of the bill, rearrange it; a nonpayment cancellation notice gives only 10 days under section 662.
Before they come home
Set the reminder now for two weeks before the return date. Re-add the driver, or restore their normal status, effective the day they arrive, so their first drive home from the airport is covered. If they were away in another state for long enough to establish residence there, ask whether anything about their license or insurance changed.
People often ask us whether removing a driver for a few months hurts them later. California law gives some comfort: Insurance Code section 1861.02(c) bars using the absence of prior coverage, in and of itself, against Good Driver eligibility or rates. When it is time to re-add them, you can compare quotes here.
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Get My Free QuoteMore of what callers ask
Should I remove my child from my car insurance while they study abroad?
Ask your insurer how it handles a driver who is temporarily away. Some keep them listed with an adjustment, others remove and re-add them; get the answer, including early-return coverage, in writing.
Is excluding a driver the same as removing them?
No. A named exclusion under section 11580.1 means the person has no coverage at all under the policy, which is meant for someone who will never drive the car.
Will removing a driver for a few months hurt their future rates?
Insurance Code section 1861.02(c) says the absence of prior coverage, in and of itself, cannot decide Good Driver eligibility, rates or insurability.
What if they come home early?
If they were removed, re-add them before they drive. Ask in advance how quickly the insurer can do it.