Sick of being the designated driver? Have a business in which many employees drive company vehicles? Any driver cover lets anyone who you've given permission to drive you car.
We'll explain how this works, what the limitations are, and how to find the right policy if you think any driver cover is for you.
In This Guide:
- What Is Any Driver Car Insurance?
- Who Is an Any Driver Car Insurance Policy For?
- Is Any Driver Car Insurance Expensive?
- How Else Can I Insure Someone on My Vehicle?
- Is Any Driver Car Insurance the Same as a Comprehensive Policy?
- Are all Drivers Covered?
- Is Any Driver Car Insurance the Same as Any Car Insurance?
- What Other Options are Available Besides Any Driver Car Insurance?
- What Are The Pros and Cons?
- How Can I Get Cheaper Any-Driver Car Insurance?
What Is Any Driver Car Insurance?
Any driver car insurance lets anyone who you've given permission to drive your car. However, the freedom to insure anyone to drive your car means policies are some of the most expensive on the market.
An any driver car insurance policy will provide cover in cases where multiple individuals need to operate the same vehicle under a single insurance policy. This type of coverage is particularly advantageous for businesses managing driver fleets, such as delivery services or driving schools. It simplifies insurance management by ensuring all drivers and vehicles are covered comprehensively under one policy. Here are some key points about any driver car insurance:
- Any driver car insurance is a specialised type of car insurance policy designed to accommodate multiple drivers under a single coverage plan.
- It allows businesses with driver fleets, like delivery services or driving schools, to streamline insurance management by covering all drivers and vehicles under one policy.
- This insurance is particularly beneficial for families with multiple vehicles or younger drivers who share a car, providing flexibility and convenience in insurance coverage.
Remember: Any driver car insurance is a type of policy in which anyone can drive the insured vehicle – with your permission.
For personal use, any driver car insurance can be useful for family members or groups of friends. Although anyone can drive the vehicle, typically those you trust enough with your vehicle will be people you know well.
Who Is an Any Driver Car Insurance Policy For?
Businesses stand the most to gain from an any driver car insurance policy. Company owners will know that car insurance for staff can be a logistical nightmare, particularly taking out individual policies for employees, some of whom may only drive intermittently. And if they're only insured on certain vehicles, that can cause delays or disruptions to work.
For fleet vehicles and delivery drivers – or indeed any operations that require a number of employees to drive company vehicles – an any driver car insurance policy is often more efficient, streamlined and economical, as cheap car insurance deals for business can be more accessible this way.
Is Any Driver Car Insurance Expensive?
For personal use, any driver car insurance can be fairly expensive. This is because of the risk factor involved. When you take out an insurance policy, your premium is based on your risk which is carefully calculated and considers various factors such as your age, years of driving experience and whether you have any penalties.
With an any driver policy, insurance brokers can't tailor your quote to each potential driver, because technically any person could be driving – be they a 38-year-old with years of no claims or an 18-year-old. Consequently, premiums are costly to cover all risk groups.
How Else Can I Insure Someone on My Vehicle?
If you're looking for a cheap car insurance policy to cover several drivers of a vehicle, then there are options available.
Should you want one – or a few people – to be insured, then consider adding them as named drivers on your policy. Generally, you can add up to five people who will be legally allowed to drive your vehicle.
However, there is a critical point to be made here: the policy holder is known as the main driver and as such must be the primary user of the vehicle. Any named drivers are additional and are considered to occasionally use it. If you dishonestly add a named driver to your policy – i.e. someone who will in actuality be using the car more than you – this is called fronting, which is fraud and legally punishable. So, do carefully consider the needs of any drivers.
Another option is to take out temporary car insurance cover. A policy like this can be most economical when cover is only needed for a short period of time, for example, a student returning from university for the holidays. With short-term policies, you're not bound by a long-term contract and can take out cover for when you need it with ease.
If you think a named driver or short-term policy is for you, then compare car insurance quotes with us here at Money Expert and we'll find you the best deals on the market.
Is Any Driver Car Insurance the Same as a Comprehensive Policy?
No. A common misconception is that comprehensive cover allows you to drive any person's vehicle, so long as you have permission. In fact, this isn't the case. Some insurance providers will allow you to, but many may not. Therefore, ensure you're familiar with the fine print of your policy to check if you're covered or look out for comprehensive policies that cover you for driving other vehicles when you're running your car insurance comparison.
And a word of warning: don't assume you're automatically covered fully comprehensively either – often you'll just get third party cover when you're driving someone else's vehicle.
Are all Drivers Covered?
Not every driver qualifies for an any-driver insurance policy. Many insurers require drivers to be over a certain age, typically 21 or 25. If you need any-driver coverage for younger individuals, you may find it difficult to secure a policy and should be prepared for higher costs. Often, a more affordable and suitable alternative is to add the driver to an existing policy or opt for a policy specifically designed for young drivers.
Is Any Driver Car Insurance the Same as Any Car Insurance?
No, any-driver car insurance is not the same as any-car insurance policies. Drive any-car policies allow an insured driver to drive someone else’s vehicle, whereas any-driver policies permit additional drivers to operate your own car. Despite their similar-sounding names, these insurance types have distinct purposes and implications, so it's important to choose the correct one to avoid potential issues with claims in the future.
What Other Options are Available Besides Any Driver Car Insurance?
Alternatives to any driver car insurance include several options that can be tailored to specific needs:
- One Month Car Insurance: Ideal for short-term needs, useful if you need temporary cover to drive someone else’s car or if you have occasional drivers.
- Named Driver Insurance: This type of driver insurance requires specifying individual drivers who are allowed to drive the insured vehicle, often resulting in lower premiums compared to any-driver policies.
- Driver Fleet Insurance: Suitable for businesses, driver fleet insurance covers multiple vehicles and drivers within a company, providing flexibility similar to any driver car insurance but often with tailored terms for commercial use.
- Short Term Cover: This provides a short-term solution for drivers who need to be insured for a brief period, perfect for infrequent driving needs or for allowing others to drive your car temporarily.
What Are The Pros and Cons?
Pros:
- Convenience: Simplifies insurance management by covering multiple drivers under one policy, ideal for businesses with driver fleets.
- Flexibility: Allows younger drivers or occasional drivers to operate insured vehicles without needing separate driver insurance policies.
- Cost-effective: Can be more economical than insuring each driver separately, especially for businesses or families with multiple vehicles.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Ensures all drivers are covered, promoting operational efficiency and reducing administrative burden for companies like driving schools.
Cons:
- Higher Premiums: Any driver car insurance policies may come with higher premiums compared to policies that specify named drivers.
- Risk Assessment: Insurers may perceive higher risk with multiple potential drivers, potentially affecting premiums.
- Policy Limitations: Some insurers may impose restrictions on who can drive the insured vehicles based on age or driving history.
- Administration: Changes to the list of drivers covered under the policy may require administrative fees or paperwork.
How Can I Get Cheaper Any-Driver Car Insurance?
Finding affordable any-driver car insurance can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use to lower your premiums. By taking the following steps, you can make sure you're getting the best possible deal on your insurance.
- Increase Your Voluntary Excess: Opting for a higher voluntary excess can reduce your premiums, as it indicates you're willing to pay more out-of-pocket in the event of a claim.
- Shop Around with Many Insurers: Comparing quotes from many insurers can help you find the best rate for any-driver car insurance, as prices can vary significantly between providers.
- Pay Annually: Paying your insurance premium annually, rather than in monthly installments, can save you money, as many insurers charge interest on monthly payments.
- Build Up a No Claims Bonus: A no claims bonus rewards you for not making any claims, and it can significantly reduce your premium over time. Avoiding claims where possible will help you maintain this discount.