What is a named driver and how do they affect your car insurance?

If you share a car with someone else, you’ve probably come across the term ‘named driver’. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it affect your car insurance? 

In this blog, we’ll explain what a named driver is, when it makes sense to add one (and when it doesn’t), how it impacts your premiums, and any pitfalls to watch out for. 

What is a named driver?

A named driver is someone you add to your car insurance policy as an additional driver. That means they are legally insured to drive the car, but they’re not the main driver (i.e. the person who uses the car most often). 

For example, you might be a parent whose son or daughter - or perhaps your partner - might occasionally drive your car. 

In these cases, adding the extra driver as a named driver allows them to be insured without needing to take out a separate car insurance policy. 

And named drivers usually receive the same level of cover as the main driver, so if you have a fully comprehensive policy, the named driver will also be covered comprehensively when driving the car. 

Who can I add as a named driver?

Provided the named driver is legally allowed to drive and the insurance company agrees to provide cover, who you add as a named driver is up to you. Examples include: 

What impact does a named driver have on my premium?

The quick answer here is it depends on the person you’re adding as a named driver. 

What is their driving history? What age are they? Do they have any points on their licence? Do they own another car? 

For example, if you add an experienced person as a named driver (e.g. a parent), this can often reduce the premium, because insurers may assume the car is being shared and as a result, the less experienced driver will spend less time behind the wheel. 

On the flip side, if you add a young or inexperienced driver, your premium could increase because younger drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. 

Every insurer calculates risk differently so it’s best to contact your provider directly or speak to a broker like AbbeyAutoline to get clarity on the cost of adding a named driver. 

Can named drivers build up a no claims bonus?

Unfortunately not, in most cases. 

Insurance companies usually only allow the main driver on the policy to build up a no claims bonus. Even if the named driver drives the car regularly, they won’t earn a discount for when they take out their own policy in the future. 

However, some companies do allow drivers to gain Named Driver Experience for every full year completed as a named driver without any claims. 

If an NCB is important to you, it’s worth asking your provider directly. 

Be careful to avoid ‘fronting’

Fronting is when a more experienced driver lists themselves as the main driver on a policy, but the named driver uses the car more often. 

This might seem like a good way to save money, but it’s actually a form of insurance fraud. If you get caught, your policy could be cancelled, and any claims may be denied. You could also find it more expensive (or even difficult) to get insurance in the future. 

That’s why it’s so important to be honest when adding a named driver to your policy. If your insurance provider suspects that you’ve misrepresented information, you’re likely to run into problems.