How Much Does it Cost to Add a Driver to Car Insurance UK?
19/04/2024
Adding a driver to your car insurance policy can be a practical and cost-effective solution for families or households with multiple drivers sharing the same vehicle. However, it's essential to understand the potential costs and implications involved. This blog will guide you through the factors that influence the cost of adding a driver to your car insurance policy in the UK and provide tips on how to manage these expenses.
Adding a Driver to Your Car Insurance Policy: What to Expect
If you're considering adding an additional driver to your car insurance policy, it's crucial to understand the implications and potential costs involved. The expense of including a named or second driver can vary significantly depending on their individual driving history and risk profile.
Why Add a Driver?
One of the primary reasons for adding an additional driver, particularly for young motorists, is to potentially reduce their insurance premiums. By including an experienced driver with a clean record, such as a parent or older sibling, insurers may view the overall risk as lower, resulting in a more favorable rate.
Cost Variations
When you request to add a named driver, insurers will evaluate that person's driving history, including any past convictions, claims, and other risk factors. Generally, adding a low-risk driver with extensive experience and an unblemished record will yield the most significant premium reductions. Conversely, adding a high-risk driver may increase your costs.
Potential Savings
According to industry data, young drivers can save over £350 on their car insurance by adding a low-risk named driver, typically a female family member, to their policy. This is because male drivers statistically tend to have more motoring convictions and costlier claims.
The Process
To add a second driver, contact your insurer and inquire about their terms and conditions, as well as any potential administrative fees for modifying your policy. You'll typically need to provide the additional driver's full name, date of birth, employment details, driving history (including any convictions within the past five years), and license information.
Benefits and Considerations
Adding a named driver can be a strategic way to reduce premiums, especially for younger or less experienced drivers. However, it's crucial to be transparent and truthful about the primary driver's identity to avoid committing insurance fraud, known as "fronting," which can invalidate your coverage and lead to severe consequences.
Furthermore, if a named driver is involved in an accident while operating the insured vehicle, the main policyholder's no-claims bonus may be affected, even if they weren't driving at the time of the incident.
While adding an additional driver can be advantageous in the long run, it's essential to weigh the potential savings against the risks and responsibilities involved. Consult with your insurer and carefully consider all factors before making a decision.
This article is designed to offer general advice and may not apply to every insurance, broker, insurer, cover or policy. You would need to check the individual policy benefits of each cover with your insurer or broker.
