What does being a named driver mean?

Asked by: Fabian Jacobi  |  Last update: February 27, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (20 votes)

If you own a car and have your own insurance but there is another driver who sometimes uses your vehicle, you can usually add that person to your car insurance policy as a named driver.

What happens if you are 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.

Can named drivers drive to 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.

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.

What does it mean to add a named driver?

A named driver is another person that you add to your existing car insurance policy, someone you allow permission to drive the insured vehicle. This means that if this person is driving the car, he or she will be insured in the case of an accident, and covered if there is any damage to the vehicle.

What is a Named Driver Only Policy?

43 related questions found

Can I drive another car if Im a named driver?

Can I drive my partner's car? As we've seen, 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.

Is it cheaper to be 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.

Is a named driver covered 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 my wife drive my car if she's not on my insurance?

Can my wife drive my car without insurance? If you have a car and insurance but your wife does not have a separate car, she should be listed on your car insurance policy as a driver. Most insurance companies require all licensed household members to be listed on the policy as drivers.

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.

What happens if a named driver crashes my car?

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.

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.

Are named drivers covered for commuting?

Social, domestic, pleasure and commuting (SDPC)

This use will cover the regular driver and any named drivers to use the vehicle for social, domestic and pleasure use, plus to travel to and from a single permanent place of employment.

Can a named driver teach a learner?

To supervise a learner driver you must have the right insurance. Learner drivers who intend to practice in their own car must get their own learner insurance.

Can I be a named driver on my own car?

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. The only time you would need your own insurance, is if you wanted to be the main driver of your own car.

Does the main driver have to own the car?

But the main driver doesn't necessarily have to be the owner or the registered keeper. This is pretty common for married couples. If you're married, one of you can own the car and be the registered keeper. But if your spouse drives the car more often than you do, they'll need to be listed as the "main driver".

Does car insurance follow the car or the driver?

Unless you're a 'named driver' on their car insurance, you almost certainly won't be insured. And both the driver and car owner can run into trouble if caught without the necessary cover.

Does my car insurance cover other drivers?

The car you want to drive must be covered by an existing insurance policy and you must have permission to drive it. Driving other cars cover is usually only available on a comprehensive car insurance policy, so if you have third party (or third party, fire & theft) cover, you won't be covered to drive any other cars.

Can someone else insure my car if the title is under my name?

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.

Does it matter who is the main driver on car insurance?

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.

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 you insure someone on your car who doesn't live with you?

Providers usually don't allow you to add a non-related driver to your policy who doesn't live with you. Typically, car insurance covers the vehicle's owner and family members in the same household.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance UK?

Myth 2: Other people can drive my car if I've said I don't mind. FACT: Many people may think it's just a case of giving permission, but it's not as simple as that. If someone else wants to drive your car, they will need their own car insurance with driving other cars cover. They will not be covered under your policy.

Can I put my 17 year old on my car insurance?

Yes, you can get car insurance without a black box as a 17-year-old driver. Using a black box is often a great way to keep premiums down, especially if you are new on the road. Some people aren't keen on the idea of their insurer keeping an eye on their driving style though.

How many times can I be a named driver?

When getting a new car insurance quote, you will be able to add up to three named drivers to your policy with most insurers and comparison sites, and you will need to provide some basic details about each named driver, such as: Title, first and last name.