Can I be the main driver on someone else's car?

Asked by: Greyson Stiedemann  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (61 votes)

Every car insurance policy has a "main driver". This has to be the person who does most of the driving. To get someone else insured on that car, you have to add them as a "named driver". ... But if your spouse drives the car more often than you do, they'll need to be listed as the "main driver".

Does it matter who is main driver on car insurance?

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.

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 a named driver be the main driver of a car?

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 I be the main driver on my parents car?

In the right circumstances it's perfectly ok to be insured as a named driver on your parents' policy; and you could save money in the short term, but there are several reasons why it's not always a good idea and in some cases you might even be breaking the law!

How to insure yourself to drive someone else's car

39 related questions found

Can I drive my mom's car if I'm not on the insurance?

Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.

Can I drive a car if my name is not on the insurance?

If you don't have your own insurance policy (either on your own car including DOC cover, as a named driver on the car owner's policy, or standalone temporary cover), you will not be legally covered to drive. Remember that it's not the car that's insured – it's the driver.

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.

Can I drive my wife's car on my insurance?

Can I drive my partner's car? Driving Other Cars (DOC) insurance isn't usually included as part of a fully comprehensive policy. 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.

Can I add a named driver temporarily?

If your named driver only uses the car occasionally or you just want to add them so a set period of time, temporary cover is the ideal option. Temporary policies are available from 1-12 hours or daily from 1-28 days.

Can main driver of car not be owner?

Can I insure a car I don't own? 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. ... Some car insurance companies may only insure you as the main driver if you're also the registered keeper.

Is insurance fronting illegal?

Is car insurance fronting illegal? Car insurance fronting is illegal and is a type of car insurance fraud. ... Fronting can result in more expensive car insurance premiums in the future and some insurance providers may even refuse to cover you.

Can I drive my girlfriends car?

Some drivers will be covered under your policy as long as you have given them permission to drive your car. This is considered "permissive use." These drivers may include immediate or extended family, friends, or even a boyfriend or girlfriend who doesn't live with you.

Do you have to be 25 to drive someone else's car?

If you're under 25 and want to drive someone else's car, your best bet would be to either get added as a named driver on their policy or take out temporary cover. There are a few companies who don't place an age restriction on the benefit, so you might be lucky.

What happens when you let someone else drive your car?

If you let someone else drive your car and they get in an accident, your insurance company would likely be responsible for paying the claim, depending on the coverages in your policy. The claim would go on your insurance record and could affect your car insurance rates in the future.

Does the main driver have to be the registered keeper?

Every car insurance policy has a "main driver". This has to be the person who does most of the driving. To get someone else insured on that car, you have to add them as a "named driver". ... But the main driver doesn't necessarily have to be the owner or the registered keeper.

Can my friend drive my car?

Yes, if a person is not on your four wheeler insurance, he or she can still drive your car. However, he or she needs to be a permissive driver. The term permissive driver means that your friend needs to be permitted by you to drive your car.

Do you need insurance to drive someone else's car?

You do not need your own car insurance policy to drive someone else's car every once in a while. However, if you frequently drive someone else's car, you might want to consider getting non-owner car insurance.

Can I drive someone else's car fully comp?

Having fully comp insurance on your own vehicle doesn't mean that you're fully comp on someone else's. ... This means that if you're involved in a collision, the policy will pay for the damages made to the other vehicle involved, but you will need to pay to have the vehicle you were driving fixed.

Can I drive my dads car?

Can I drive my parents' car without insurance? ... You must be properly insured if you drive on the public road, no matter how short the distance, even if your parents have given their permission for you to drive the car, and even if they have their own insurance policy covering the vehicle.

Are you liable if someone has an accident in your car?

How Your Primary Coverage Works. The bottom line is that when someone to whom you have loaned your car causes an accident that injures another person or damages someone's property, you are liable, and your insurance will be the first in line to cover their costs.

Can I drive my parents car without my name on the insurance Canada?

As long as you're licensed to drive in Ontario, you can operate someone else's vehicle even if you don't have insurance of your own. You must receive their explicit permission to operate the vehicle, however. ... This means being listed as a secondary driver on the vehicle's insurance policy.

Can I drive my girlfriends car if I'm not on her insurance?

Some insurance companies have a permissive use clause. This means that if your boyfriend or girlfriend drives your vehicle for less than ten times a year, and if you have given them permission to drive your vehicle, they may already be covered without you having to add them to your policy.

Do people get caught for fronting?

While it might not seem like you're committing a crime, fronting is illegal and it's a form of insurance fraud. ... If someone is caught and prosecuted with fraud they could end up with a criminal record.

How can insurance prove fronting?

Fronting will most likely be discovered when a claim is made. If it is the named driver who is involved in a collision, for example, an insurance provider may launch an investigation. Should the insurer conclude that fronting has occurred, it may refuse to pay for any damage.