Can a named driver be the main driver?
Asked by: Gilberto Treutel | Last update: June 26, 2023Score: 4.2/5 (23 votes)
As a named driver you will be given the same level of cover as the vehicle's main driver. Named driver policies are only appropriate if the named driver is not the main driver (main user) or the owner of the vehicle. Named drivers should be careful to avoid 'fronting', a form of insurance fraud.
Can you put someone else as the main driver?
Car insurance fronting – where someone declares themselves as the main driver of a car even though it will be someone else – is illegal.
Can the main driver be different to the policyholder?
Does the policyholder have to be the main driver? Generally, insurance policies are set up with the policyholder also being the main driver of the car. It's worth noting that it's illegal for anyone other than the main driver to be placed as the policy holder, this is 'fronting'.
Can you have 2 main drivers on the same car?
You and your partner can both take out separate policies for the same car. Car insurance policies are for both the vehicle and the driver, so it's perfectly fine, legal and common for two people to be insured on the same vehicle under separate policies. There are a few reasons why you might consider doing this.
Does the owner have to be the main driver?
The main driver (or vehicle policyholder) is the person who drives the vehicle most often and earns no claims discount. They do not need to be the principle policyholder but they must live at the same address as them.
What is a Named Driver Only Policy?
Can I insure a car but not be the main driver?
It depends. Some insurance providers will only insure you as the main driver if you're the car's owner or registered keeper. If you're having trouble getting cover from one insurance provider, it's worth contacting others for a quote.
Does it matter who the main driver is?
The main driver on your car insurance
And others don't understand who the actual main driver is. The declared main driver should be the person who: regularly uses a car to drive to or from work / place of education. uses the car for the highest percentage of the time.
Does named driver claim affect policyholder?
If a named driver has an accident, the main driver or policyholder will need to make a claim on the policy and this will affect their no claims discount. If a named driver on your policy has an accident the claim will be against your policy even if you are nowhere near the car or accident itself.
Can a named driver drive another car?
Unless your policy states otherwise, you'll only be able to drive your partner's car if they've added you as a named driver or have a family or any driver car insurance policy.
Are named drivers fully comp?
If you have comprehensive insurance, your named driver will almost always have comprehensive cover, too. Check the policy details to make sure you have the level of cover that you both need. Your named driver should also be covered for any extras you add to your policy, for example: Breakdown cover.
Can I change the main driver on my car insurance?
Letting someone borrow your car
With most car insurance policies, you can let other people drive your car by adding them as a named driver. But if they start using it more than you, that could be a problem. The person who does the bulk of the driving needs to be listed as the "main driver".
Can a car be in your name but insured by someone else?
While the person who owns the car is usually the one who insures it, most states will allow someone other than the owner to pay for a car policy. However, many driver's insurance providers will only insure a car if the policyholder and car owner are the same.
Can you get caught for fronting?
Many people who 'front' do not know it is illegal, and instead think they are being savvy with their insurance. But if the young driver is the owner or keeper of the car, then the policy should be in their name.
What happens if you are caught fronting?
Fronting is car insurance fraud, and it's against the law. The consequences are severe – voided or cancelled policies, substantial fines, up to six points on your driving licence and a potential driving ban. The main driver should be the person who spends the most time in the car.
What happens if Im a named driver?
If you drive someone else's vehicle then you will not be covered by their (the main driver) motor insurance policy – you must become a named driver on their policy. As a named driver you will be given the same level of cover as the vehicle's main driver.
Do named drivers get no claims?
Named drivers can't usually build up a no claims discount, although they can accumulate their own if they're insured as the main driver on their own car. Some insurance providers may give a named driver a discount – provided they take out their own policy at a later date.
Can a named driver use the car for work?
Any named driver can use your vehicle occasionally. That means they shouldn't be the permanent driver, nor should they be regularly using the vehicle, for example for driving to work. If someone is named as an additional driver but in fact has main use of the car, this is called fronting, which is illegal.
Is being a named driver cheaper?
How much does car insurance cost with a named driver? Adding a named driver often makes the premiums cheaper because it's assumed you'll spend less time driving, since the car is shared. This reduces your probability of having an accident and making a claim, which is reflected in cheaper car insurance quotes.
Does a named driver have to live with you?
Does a named driver have to live at the same address as the main driver? No, someone does not have to live at the same address as you to be added as a named driver to your policy.
Who is affected if main driver has an accident?
While named driver insurance can have benefits for both parties, the policyholder is more at risk. This is because is the named driver on your policy crashes the car, it will be under your name. So, if you have built up a no claims history of five years, and your named driver crashes, you will lose it if you claim.
What is the difference between a named insured and a driver?
Answer provided by. “Named insured refers to the person who opened the policy. Second named insured refers to a person on the policy who can make changes to the policy, including renewal and cancellation. Anyone listed as a driver is insured, but they cannot make changes to the policy.
Will additional driver lose no claims if main driver has accident?
Your level of no claims discount won't be affected, even if you add a named driver with absolutely no car insurance history. But, if a named driver has an accident whilst driving your car, it will affect your no claims discount in exactly the same way as if you, yourself, had been behind the wheel.
Is fronting illegal?
So it's understandable that a parent or carer might want to insure a car in their name when they're not the main driver, to help ease the financial burden a bit. But this is known as car insurance fronting. It's a type of car insurance fraud, it's illegal and could land you with a criminal record.
Can a car be registered in one name and insured in another UK?
You can insure a vehicle you don't own, but you must tell the insurer that you're neither the registered keeper nor the owner. The registered keeper is the person named on the registration certificate; the owner is the person who bought it.
Can I be a named driver without my own insurance?
Does a named driver need their own insurance? No, you do not need your own insurance policy as a named driver. The entire point is that named drivers can be added to an existing policy.