Auto Insurance for Foster Caretakers (2023)
Auto insurance for foster carers is, essentially, comparable to auto insurance for anyone else. In a few states where foster parents can get money back, but these states are few and far between. Some good news is that, for the most part, foster parents do not need to obtain any additional form of coverage or pay extra auto insurance rates. Once the foster child reaches driving age, they should be added to the foster parent's policy just like a biological child.
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Laura D. Adams
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Laura Adams is one of the nation’s leading finance, insurance, and small business authorities. As an award-winning author, spokesperson, and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers and listeners benefit from her practical advice. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and rich lives by planning for the future and making smart money decisions. She rec...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Adopting a child does not raise your auto insurance rates.
- Adopting a child also does not automatically decrease your rates.
- If you add your adopted child to your policy come driving age they’ll be treated the same as a biological child.
Today we’re going to be going into auto insurance for foster carers. We’ll answer every question we can, including whether or not business auto insurance will be necessary for a foster carer. To learn more about this type of coverage, read our article Understanding Car Insurance
Before you buy auto insurance for foster carers, get the best rates you can by comparing rates from insurers in your area.
We’ve made it simple. Just type your ZIP code into our free and helpful tool above to find affordable auto insurance quotes for foster carers in your area.
Fostering and Auto Insurance
There are many benefits to fostering a child, aside from knowing that doing so makes the world better. While it’s expensive, just like raising a biological child, there are perks to help you do so, including monthly subsidies.
You also can receive a tax credit and in some states, your foster child can even attend college for free. How about insurance benefits? While it’s not auto insurance, it is important to know those foster children are allowed to keep state-funded health insurance until at least the age of 18.
Several states offer what amounts to rebates to foster carers, including Arkansas, but these are few and far between. Still, it’s not as if your auto insurance rates change just because you adopted a child. Thusly, we’d be best off looking at the general state averages for auto insurance.
Average auto insurance rates are based on 45-year-old drivers with clean driving records.
| State | Allstate | Geico | Progressive | State Farm | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK | $139 | N/A | $100 | $67 | $102 |
| AL | $111 | $92 | $116 | $111 | $114 |
| AR | $167 | $93 | $135 | $82 | $118 |
| AZ | $186 | $67 | $87 | $83 | $113 |
| CA | $166 | N/A | $129 | N/A | $148 |
| CO | $171 | $97 | $124 | $97 | $123 |
| CT | $202 | $64 | $137 | $94 | $129 |
| DC | $248 | $71 | $118 | $114 | $146 |
| DE | $213 | $104 | $93 | $119 | $182 |
| FL | $189 | $92 | $157 | $102 | $135 |
| GA | $170 | $63 | $118 | $110 | $148 |
| HI | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $93 |
| IA | N/A | $84 | $78 | $67 | $87 |
| ID | $132 | $59 | N/A | $54 | $83 |
| IL | $181 | $49 | $92 | $66 | $96 |
| IN | $144 | $65 | $71 | $73 | $101 |
| KS | $164 | $77 | $131 | $84 | $121 |
| KY | N/A | $82 | $115 | $101 | $134 |
| LA | $212 | $145 | $166 | $128 | $163 |
| MA | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $112 |
| MD | $207 | $139 | $124 | $110 | $138 |
| ME | $111 | $38 | $97 | $60 | $88 |
| MI | $418 | $102 | $157 | $215 | $266 |
| MN | $165 | $93 | N/A | $69 | $144 |
| MO | $153 | $93 | $101 | $88 | $111 |
| MS | $152 | $74 | $124 | $85 | $107 |
| MT | $159 | $85 | $176 | $73 | $116 |
| NC | $175 | $71 | $33 | $79 | $94 |
| ND | $140 | $62 | $114 | $79 | $143 |
| NE | $129 | $95 | $98 | $71 | $113 |
| NH | $132 | $52 | $65 | $61 | $99 |
| NJ | $162 | $76 | $96 | $117 | $160 |
| NM | $163 | $93 | $89 | $71 | $108 |
| NV | $171 | $113 | $85 | $106 | $123 |
| NY | $152 | $80 | $99 | $141 | $147 |
| OH | $124 | $61 | $88 | $72 | $89 |
| OK | $139 | $113 | $114 | $94 | $131 |
| OR | $158 | $96 | $80 | $77 | $111 |
| PA | $152 | $70 | $153 | $78 | $121 |
| RI | $194 | $129 | $120 | $78 | $152 |
| SC | $138 | $82 | $108 | $91 | $119 |
| SD | $140 | $59 | $108 | $69 | $121 |
| TN | $148 | $81 | $95 | $75 | $100 |
| TX | $207 | $109 | $124 | $92 | $145 |
| UT | $120 | $76 | $98 | $106 | $106 |
| VA | $106 | $72 | $63 | $65 | $79 |
| VT | $147 | $39 | $186 | $90 | $107 |
| WA | $118 | $77 | $62 | $72 | $87 |
| WI | $127 | $64 | $97 | $60 | $105 |
| WV | $167 | $86 | $114 | $82 | $126 |
| WY | $160 | $114 | N/A | $85 | $114 |
Keep in mind that adding a child to your policy will raise your rates, sometimes by as much as 161%. Adding a foster child is no different. Liability insurance is what you’ll almost certainly need. Every state, save for Florida, requires bodily injury liability insurance. Every state requires property damage liability insurance so it pays to get quotes from the best property damage liability auto insurance companies.
If you choose to foster a child, you’ll need to be sure that your various insurance policies also cover your foster children. This means informing your insurance company that you now foster. The company then will include your foster children as members of your family.
So, we talked about liability insurance, but does a foster parent need any special forms of coverage? Let’s find out.
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Do foster carers need business auto insurance?
When you use your automobile as a business, think delivery driving, you need a special form of coverage. So is being a foster parent the same as running a business from your automobile? No. To learn more about when you will need this form of coverage, read our Commercial Auto Insurance: A Complete Guide
All you need is the standard domestic policy. To stress again, you must let your insurer know that you foster. You’ll be asked what your occupation is, and you can say foster carer.
So, all in all, being a foster parent really doesn’t affect your rates all that much. Just be sure to inform your insurer that you plan on or have just become a foster parent. Inquire as to whether or not there are any discounts available, just as you would in any other situation.
First, you must find an auto insurance company for foster carers.
Type your ZIP code into our free and helpful tool below to find affordable auto insurance quotes in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do foster caretakers need special auto insurance?
Foster caretakers typically need auto insurance coverage similar to regular car owners. However, it’s important to inform your insurance provider that you are a foster caretaker to ensure you have appropriate coverage for transporting foster children.
Is transporting foster children covered under a standard auto insurance policy?
Standard auto insurance policies generally provide coverage for transporting foster children. However, it’s crucial to review your policy or speak with your insurance provider to ensure you have adequate coverage, as some policies may have specific limitations or requirements.
What additional coverage options should foster caretakers consider for auto insurance?
Foster caretakers may want to consider adding or enhancing certain coverage options for their auto insurance. These may include liability coverage beyond the state minimums, medical payments coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. It’s advisable to consult with an insurance professional to determine the appropriate coverage for your situation.
Are there insurance discounts available for foster caretakers?
Some insurance companies offer discounts for foster caretakers. These discounts can vary, so it’s recommended to inquire with different insurance providers to explore available discounts. Additionally, you may also be eligible for other discounts, such as safe driver discounts or multi-policy discounts.
Can foster caretakers add the foster children to their auto insurance policy?
Foster children can generally be added to the foster caretaker’s auto insurance policy. However, the specific rules and requirements may vary depending on the insurance provider and state regulations. It’s advisable to inform your insurance provider and discuss the process of adding foster children to your policy.
What should foster caretakers do if they transport foster children using their personal vehicles?
If foster caretakers transport foster children using their personal vehicles, it’s essential to ensure they have appropriate auto insurance coverage. Inform your insurance provider about your role as a foster caretaker and verify that your policy covers transporting foster children. If needed, consider adding additional coverage or exploring commercial auto insurance options.
Can foster caretakers be held liable for accidents involving foster children in their vehicles?
Foster caretakers can potentially be held liable for accidents involving foster children in their vehicles, similar to any other driver. Auto insurance coverage is crucial in protecting against potential liability claims. Adequate liability coverage and additional coverage options can provide financial protection in the event of an accident.
Should foster caretakers inform their insurance provider about their role as foster caretakers?
Yes, it’s important for foster caretakers to inform their insurance provider about their role as foster caretakers. This ensures that the insurance company has accurate information about your situation and can provide appropriate coverage options and advice specific to your needs.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Laura D. Adams
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Laura Adams is one of the nation’s leading finance, insurance, and small business authorities. As an award-winning author, spokesperson, and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers and listeners benefit from her practical advice. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and rich lives by planning for the future and making smart money decisions. She rec...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.