How to Add a Named Driver to Your Car Insurance

Summary

• Named driver: Someone other than the main policyholder who's covered to drive.
• Easy to add: Contact your insurer or use their online portal.
• Affects premium: Young/inexperienced drivers increase cost; older experienced drivers may reduce it.
• Not fronting: Never insure yourself as a named driver on your own main car - it's fraud.

Need to let someone else drive your car? Adding them as a named driver gives them legal cover under your policy.

This guide explains how to add a named driver, what it costs, and the rules you need to know.

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What Is a Named Driver?

A named driver is someone listed on your insurance policy who has permission to drive your car. They're covered by your insurance when they drive your vehicle.

The main driver (policyholder) is the person who uses the car most. Named drivers use it occasionally.

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How to Add a Named Driver

1. Log into your insurer's online portal or app
2. Find the option to add a driver
3. Enter their details (name, date of birth, licence info, occupation)
4. Review the premium change
5. Confirm and pay any additional cost

You can also call your insurer's customer service line. Some insurers charge an admin fee (£15-30) for mid-term changes.

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What Details Do You Need?

To add someone, you'll typically need:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Occupation
• Driving licence number
• How long they've held their licence
• Any claims or convictions in the last 5 years
• Relationship to the main driver

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How Does It Affect Your Premium?

Adding a named driver can increase or decrease your premium:

Increases Cost

• Young drivers (under 25)
• New drivers (less than 2 years' experience)
• Drivers with claims or convictions
• High-risk occupations

May Decrease Cost

• Experienced drivers (10+ years)
• Drivers with clean records
• Parents with long driving history

Some parents add themselves to a young driver's policy to reduce the premium. This is legitimate - as long as they genuinely use the car sometimes.

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Named Driver Excess

If a named driver has an accident, they may have to pay a higher excess:

• Normal compulsory excess
• Plus voluntary excess
• Plus named driver excess (often £150-500 for young drivers)

Check your policy for the specific amounts.

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Named Driver vs Main Driver

Main Driver	Named Driver
Uses the car most	Uses it occasionally
Policyholder	Additional driver
Builds no-claims discount	Usually doesn't build NCD
Primary responsibility	Covered but secondary

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What Is Fronting? (And Why It's Illegal)

Fronting is when the person who uses the car most is listed as a named driver instead of the main driver - to get a cheaper premium.

Common example: A parent insures their child's car with themselves as main driver and the child as named driver, when the child actually uses it every day.

Why It's a Problem

• It's insurance fraud
• Claims can be refused
• Policies can be cancelled
• You may struggle to get insurance in future
• Criminal prosecution is possible

Insurers investigate claims. If they find evidence of fronting, they won't pay out.

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Do Named Drivers Build No-Claims Discount?

Generally, no. No-claims discount (NCD) belongs to the main driver.

However:

• Some insurers offer "named driver experience" discounts on their own policies
• Ask for proof of claims-free driving as a named driver when getting your own quote
• Not all insurers accept this, but some do

See our no-claims discount guide for more.

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Temporary vs Permanent Named Drivers

Permanent Named Driver

• Added to your policy for the full term
• Premium adjusted accordingly
• Makes sense for family members who regularly drive

Temporary Insurance

• Short-term cover (1 day to a few weeks)
• Doesn't affect your main policy
• Good for one-off situations

For occasional use, temporary insurance might be more cost-effective.

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Removing a Named Driver

You can remove named drivers anytime:

1. Contact your insurer
2. Request removal of the driver
3. Your premium may be recalculated (could go up or down)
4. A partial refund may be given if costs reduce

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Common Questions

Can I add someone who lives at a different address?

Yes, but you'll need to tell your insurer. The driver's address affects risk assessment.

Can I add someone to my insurance temporarily?

You can add them for the rest of your policy term, or consider separate temporary insurance for very short periods.

What if a named driver has an accident?

The claim is made on your policy. It may affect your no-claims discount unless you have NCD protection.

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Final Thoughts

Adding a named driver is straightforward. Just make sure the main driver is genuinely the person who uses the car most - fronting is fraud and will come back to bite you.

Get quotes before adding someone to see how it affects your premium, and consider temporary insurance for one-off situations.

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