How to Remove a Separated Dependent From Insurance

Unless your child has married, before you remove a separated or emancipated dependent from your insurance, make sure the child is not coming home. It's far easier to remove a child from an insurance policy than it is to put the child back on the policy. Even if you have to pay for a few extra months, take your time before you make the decision.

Things You'll Need

• Form to remove dependent
• Proof of emancipation showing a new address
• Copy of dependent's new policy if available
• Driver's license number of separated dependent
• Policy number

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Instructions

Health Insurance and Life Insurance

• 1

  Call your insurance agent or the customer helpline, or go to the company's website to see if it has printable forms. If you have your health insurance or life insurance through work, contact the human resources department. Discuss the cost of converting the policy or putting your child on COBRA if the child has no other insurance, particularly if your child has a medical condition.

• 2

  Secure a form to remove the child from the policy if the child doesn't require his own insurance. You might receive it through the mail if you've phoned an agent or the customer help line.

• 3

  Fill out the form with the child's name, your policy number and any other information required. If your coverage is through work, you may have to wait for a new enrollment period to make the change.

• 4

  Mail the form back through the mail or return it to the insurance agent. The next month's premium should reflect the removal of the child if you paid for each dependent separately. If it's a family plan or a child rider, there may not be a difference in price if you have other children at home.

Auto Insurance

• 5

  Request a change form to remove a driver from the policy. You'll need the driver's license number of the driver you're removing and the child's date of birth. Some companies offer the option of removing a driver online. If you have this option, fill out the online form and click the submit button. You can phone your agent or call the customer service line for the form. Ask if you need any other information when you call. Frequently, the agent will fill out the form for you; but in many cases, you have to sign it. The agent will send it to you for a signature.

• 6

  Secure proof that your dependent no longer lives with you. Since younger drivers often increase the cost of automobile insurance rates, some insurance companies want proof that the child is no longer at your residence. If the child has her own insurance policy, make a copy of the policy. If your emancipated dependent has a bill in her name, such as a utility bill, with the new address, that might be satisfactory proof. A change of address on a driver's license is also proof. Be prepared in case the company requests this information.

• 7

  Sign the form and supply the information necessary to remove the driver. Mail the form back to the company or stop at your representative's office and hand your agent or your agent's representative the completed form if you didn't remove the driver online. If you have access to a fax machine, secure a fax number to fax back the form.

• 8

  Wait for a notice in the mail reflecting the removal of the driver. If you don't receive something within a few weeks, call the agent or the customer service line to find out why you haven't.