What does main driver mean on car insurance?
Asked by: Luigi Cronin Sr. | Last update: February 11, 2022Score: 4.2/5 (12 votes)
The main driver (or vehicle policyholder) is the person who drives the vehicle most often and earns no claims discount.
Who should be the main driver on car insurance?
The most straightforward way to determine the main driver of a car is to ask yourself who drives it the most. That person should be identified as the main driver on any insurance policy. If, for example, you drive to and from work every day in the car, then you are considered the main driver.
What is the difference between main driver and named driver?
A named driver is someone who is insured to drive a vehicle in which another person does most of the driving. When driving that vehicle, the named driver will have the same level of cover as the main driver. ... You'll be asked to give some details about the drivers you add, and you'll need to pick the 'main driver'.
Can I insure a car but not be the main driver?
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.
Can a named driver be the main driver?
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.
Car insurance explained | What you need to know
What does main driver mean?
The main driver (or vehicle policyholder) is the person who drives the vehicle most often and earns no claims discount.
Do you have to own a car to be the main driver?
Every car insurance policy has a "main driver". ... The main driver has to drive the car more often than the named driver. If they don't, it counts as a type of fraud called "fronting". But the main driver doesn't necessarily have to be the owner or the registered keeper.
What does fronting mean in insurance?
Fronting is a type of car insurance fraud where a more experienced driver claims to be the main driver of a car, when in fact they're not. ... They're added as a named driver to a policy (usually their parents') when they're actually the main driver or owner of the car.
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 be the main driver on 2 cars?
A named driver is not legally permitted to drive the vehicle more than the main driver, however. If the named driver drives the vehicle more than the main policyholder, this is against the law and will void the policy altogether.
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.
What happens if a named driver has an accident?
Named driver claims (and how they affect the policyholder)
Named drivers are people you add to your policy so they can drive your car from time to time. If they have an accident in your car, it'll mean a claim on your policy - even if they have their own car and insurance. This affects your no-claims bonus, not theirs.
Is the main driver the policy holder?
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 always advisable to contact the insurance provider you're interested in before taking out cover.
How do insurers find out about 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. ... If the courts become involved, the policyholder may also be charged with fraud.
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.
Does a named driver earn 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.
Do you lose your no claims if you are a named driver?
If you're a named driver as well as having your own insurance, and you make a claim as a named driver, you won't usually lose your no-claims bonus. Most of the time it affects the policyholder.
Do I need to be on my wife's car insurance?
No. You do not have to add your spouse to your car insurance. Most car insurance companies will want all licensed members of your household listed as drivers, to make sure your policy's rate is calculated properly.
Is insurance fronting a claim?
Fronting entails significant risks for the fronting insurer. When a licensed insurer issues a policy, it is assuming a primary legal responsibility to pay a covered claim. The risk is then allocated through the fronting/reinsurance transaction, but the primary liability to pay the claim stays with the front.
Can you get caught for fronting?
The consequences of fronting
To put it simply, fronting invalidates your insurance policy, meaning your insurer may not pay a claim if you're caught doing it. ... Insurance fraud is also a criminal offence, so it could result in criminal charges. If you're not sure who the main driver of a car is, talk to your insurer.
Can you insure a car that's not in your name?
Generally, no. A person cannot get an auto insurance policy on a car that they do not legally own unless they can prove to the insurance company that they have an insurable interest in the vehicle.
Who gets NCB policy holder or main driver?
Does your bonus apply to the car or policyholder? It is attributed to the policyholder, but although you may assume that the NCB is entirely linked to your skills as a driver it actually only applies to a single policy for one vehicle.
What does primary policy holder mean?
The primary policyholder is the person whose name is listed on the auto insurance policy as primary insured.
What does it mean if your a named driver?
Named driver insurance, also called additional driver insurance, is the cover someone gets when they're added to your car insurance policy. It means you've told your insurance provider that someone other than you might drive your car.
Does main driver lose no claims if second driver has accident?
Adding a named driver to your policy won't affect your no claims bonus - unless they have an accident. If they do, it's you who'll need to claim as you're the main driver. You are fully liable for the claim, even if it's the named driver who is in the accident. So, it's your no claims bonus at risk here.