Named driver car insurance explained

Before you let someone get behind the wheel of your car, you’ll need to make sure they’re insured to drive it. You can do this by adding them to your own policy as a named driver. 

Sounds simple, right? Well… not quite. There are a few things to be aware of. 

Here we explain how named driver insurance works, what to watch out for, and other options if it’s not right for you.  

What is a named driver?

A named driver is someone you permit to drive your vehicle by adding them to your own car insurance policy. When they drive your car, they’ll typically have the same level of insurance cover as you (the main driver). 

So, if you have comprehensive insurance, the named driver should also be covered comprehensively. If you have third party, fire and theft cover or third-party only, they’ll be covered at that same level.  

Who can be added as a named driver?

As long as they have a provisional or full UK driving licence, you can add anyone as a named driver. This is often the case with family cars. For example, a parent adding their child so they can borrow their car occasionally. Or adding a partner or spouse and vice versa so they can use each other’s cars.

Will adding a named driver affect the cost of my car insurance?

Yes, it probably will. By adding a named driver to your policy, insurers will consider the shared risk you both pose. This could reduce or increase the cost of your premium. 

For example:

·      If you’re a younger driver, adding an older more experienced driver with a clean licence could help reduce the shared risk. This could help you get a cheaper premium. 

·      If you’re an experienced driver, adding a newbie to your policy will likely increase the cost of your premium. This is because young drivers are considered a higher risk, so the price rise will reflect this. 

·      Adding a named driver with convictions or poor claims history could also bump up the price of your premium. 

How do I add a named driver to my car insurance policy?

Adding a named driver to your policy is a pretty straightforward process. You can either call your insurer directly, or do it yourself if you have an online account. 

Make sure you have the additional driver’s details to hand, including:

·      Full legal name and date of birth

·      Occupation

·      Driving licence number and type

·      Details of any convictions in the last five years

·      Details of any accidents or claims in the last five years

·      Details of any medical conditions

Once the details are confirmed, choose the date you want the cover to start from. Your insurer will let you know if there’s a price change, so you can decide whether to continue before making the payment. 

If you have an online customer account set up, it’s usually cheaper to add a named driver from there. In most cases, you’ll avoid an adminstration fee which you may be charged if you do it over the phone. 

Does it matter who’s the main driver or named driver?

Absolutely. There’s an important difference between the two: 

·      Main driver – is the person who drives the car the most. They’re usually the registered owner and policyholder.

·      Named driver – is an additional driver who’s been added to the policy but uses the car less than the main driver.

You must be 100% honest when declaring which role is yours. If your insurer discovers that the named driver uses the car more than the main driver, it could land you in serious trouble. 

Named drivers and the risk of fronting

A common risk with adding a named driver is car insurance ‘fronting’. This is when someone claims to be the main driver, when it’s actually the named driver who uses the car the most. 

Fronting often happens when a young driver takes out a policy and puts their parent down as the main driver to cut the cost of their car insurance. 

According to research by Aviva in 2024, one in six young drivers admitted to being on a ‘fronted policy’. 

Fronting is a type of car insurance fraud, it’s illegal and the penalties can be severe for both you and the named driver. If you’re caught fronting, your policy will most likely be cancelled. This will make it much more difficult and expensive to get car insurance in the future. You could also face:

·      Personal liability for all damage and injury expenses 

·      A minimum £300 fine and six penalty points

·      Seizure of your vehicle by the police

·      A possible driving ban

·      Possible prison time if you’re taken to court

·      A criminal record. 

To avoid inadvertent fronting, just follow the golden rule: the main driver must be the person who drives the car the most. 

What should I consider when adding a named driver?

Before you add a named driver to your policy, there are a few things to be aware of.

No-Claims Bonus risk

If the named driver has an accident and a claim is made, the main driver’s no-claims bonus will be affected. Claims are made against the policy, not the individual driver; so it doesn’t matter who was driving. 

The named driver won’t usually earn an NCD

In most cases, only the main driver can build up a no-claims discount on their policy. Although this depends on the individual provider. 

The named driver’s excess may be different

If the named driver has a high-risk profile, say they’re young, inexperienced or have penalty points, their compulsory excess may be higher. This is because insurers assess each driver’s risk profile separately. 

What are the alternatives to named driver insurance?

If you don’t want to make changes to your policy, there are other ways to let someone else legally drive your car. 

Temporary car insurance

The other driver could take out their own short-term policy on your car. It could be a great solution if you have friends or family staying, and you’d like to lend them your vehicle. 

Benefits of temporary car insurance:

·      Quick and easy – a temporary policy takes minutes to set up and can offer instant cover

·      Flexible cover – policies can range from just one hour up to 28 days

·      Full protection – temporary policies come with comprehensive cover, so your car will also be protected 

·      No-claims protection – if the driver has an accident, your no-claims bonus won’t be affected.  

A separate annual policy

If you regularly share the driving with someone else, like a partner or spouse, they can take out their own policy for the same car. 

It could be a sensible option if your risk profiles are very different. For example, if the other driver has convictions or past claims that could significantly bump up the cost of your own policy. 

Separate policies also mean you can both build-up your own no-claims discounts. So if the other driver has an accident, your NCD won’t be affected.

DOC cover

With your permission, someone may be able to drive your car if they have their own comprehensive policy with a DOC (driving other cars) clause. However, this feature is rare. 

According to insurance experts at Insura Migo, only 2% of UK comprehensive policies now include DOC cover as standard. 

Even if DOC cover’s included, it only offers third-party protection. And in most cases, it restricts use to ‘emergencies’ only.  

Can I remove a named driver from my policy?

Yes, you can remove a named driver from your policy at any time. Simply let your insurer know. If you make the change before renewing your policy, you may be charged an administration fee. 

Removing a named driver may also increase or decrease the cost of your premium.