There was a time when living with your partner without getting married first was considered taboo – but these days, times are changing. Even if you don’t have a marriage certificate to certify that your love is true, you and your domestic partner may still exemplify many of the same attributes – such as settling down, combining insurance policies, and just driving more carefully in general – which your insurance provider would like to reward with discounted domestic partner auto insurance.
Car Insurance for Domestic Partners
For starters, you’re going to need to do some research on the laws surrounding civil unions and domestic partnerships in your state and county. Different states have different qualifications, and will require different documents as proof.
A strong domestic partnership can yield other benefits and discounts, too. For starters, borrowing each other’s vehicles (or using one vehicle for most of your travel, and the other sparingly) can help lower your yearly mileage in ways that produce discounts. You can also apply for a single auto policy with multiple vehicles, which is usually cheaper than having two separate policies for each car or truck.
However, if either of you have a tarnished driving history, you might want to think twice about combining your policies into one. A domestic partner with a clean record and a partner with accidents, tickets, or both on their record might actually save money by keeping their policies separate. Your insurance agent can give you more information on this phenomenon.
Auto Insurance for Domestic Partners and State Law
State laws, no matter how conservative, are prohibited from allowing an insurance company to discriminate against you and your domestic partner if you have the proper documentation to prove your status. If you believe you are owed discounts or wish to take out a joint insurance policy with your domestic partner and are denied coverage, you should contact your state bureau of insurance for more information on your rights.
Domestic partnership laws are relatively young, but that doesn’t mean your insurance company can ignore them. They originated in 2005 in the state of California, and have gradually spread across the country gaining the same momentum and legal status as a traditional marriage certificate. It doesn’t even matter whether you are a member of a same- or opposite-sex domestic partnership; if you can prove your status with the proper documentation, then your insurance company must recognize your partnership and treat you equally.
If you and your domestic partner really want to save money, you should also make sure that you shop around for the best prices near you. And the most efficient way to do that is to enter your zip code here on CheapCarInsuranceinc.com to compare quick, free quotes in minutes!