Named driver insurance rules

One of the conditions of having a named driver is that they do not use the car more than you. As the main driver, it is understood that the car is yours, with anyone else on the policy using it less.

But some people will add a named driver who will actually be the primary user. For example, parents may add their inexperienced son or daughter onto their policy, to get them a cheaper rate, without any intention of actually using the car. This is known as fronting.

If caught, you risk invalidating your car insurance. Needless to say, we strongly recommend against it. If you're worried about fronting and are unsure if the named driver on your policy drives more than you, check out our page on how often a main driver can drive your car.

That’s pretty much how it works. Once you are added onto someone else's insurance as a named driver, you can legally get behind the wheel of their car.

However, that doesn’t mean you can start driving any vehicle you choose. Being a named driver on one policy doesn’t give you the chance to start driving any car you feel like. 

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. For the record, there is nothing stopping you from being the main driver on one vehicle, and the named driver on another. 

No, it doesn’t. Your inclusion as a named driver is completely separate from your existing car insurance policy.

If you get into an accident driving a car whose insurance you are named on, it will be under their policy. This means that your own cover will be unaffected, so neither your no claims bonus nor your premiums will be impacted.

However, that doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind as a named driver. That is if you want to remain on their insurance policy.

If your named driver gets into an accident then, unfortunately, you’re the one that’ going to take the hit.

Even though you weren’t involved, the named driver is a ‘guest’ on your policy. This means that it will affect your no claims bonus and even potentially your premiums, as for all intents and purposes, the accident was down to you.

Surprisingly yes, although it isn’t an industry standard. Some insurers will offer named driver no-claims bonuses. This means if you’ve been added to someone else's policy for two years, and there have been no claims during that time, it will be factored in when you apply for your own cover.

As you will not have been (or certainly shouldn't have been) the main driver, it will not have as much of an impact as a normal no-claims bonus. However, it can still knock a reasonable chunk off your premium.

The named driver will have the same level of cover as the main driver. So, if the policy is one that has only third-party protection, then that is what the named driver will have.

If the main driver is going to be adding an inexperienced driver, they may consider upping their level of protection as the chances of an accident are higher.