If you drive someone else’s vehicle then youwill not be covered by their(the main driver)motor insurancepolicy –you must become a named driveron their policy.
As a named driver you will be given the same level of cover as the vehicle's main driver.
Named driver policies are only appropriate if the named driver isnot the main driver (main user)or the owner of the vehicle.
Named drivers should be careful to avoid 'fronting', a form of insurance fraud.
Driving Another Person’s Car
In some cases your own motor insurance policy may cover you for driving another person's vehicle (providing they also have insurance). This is normally called Driving Other Cars or DOC cover.
But, with this,you may only have third party cover when driving someone else's vehicle, even if you have third party fire and theft or comprehensive cover for your own vehicle.
Therefore, you should always check with your insurer what level of cover you have before driving another person’s car.
Named drivers and insurance fraud
‘Fronting’ is where a parent or older person pretends that they are the main user of a car when a younger person is actually driving it on a regular basis.
People sometimes do this to try to reduce the cost of premiums as main driver policies tend to be more expensive foryoung driversthan for older, more experienced motorists.
If an insurer discovers that a person is guilty of fronting, their policy could be declared invalid and they could be forced to pay any costs that arise as a result of an accident.
Fronting is illegal, and could lead to criminal convictions for those involved. People found guilty of fronting, or any other type of insurance fraud, will also find it more difficult to buy insurance in the future and their premiums will be more expensive.
FAQs
Named drivers usually won't get a no-claims discount
Usually it's only the insurance policyholder or car's main driver that can build up a no-claims discount. Some insurers do offer named drivers a discount if they haven't made a claim and decide to take out their own insurance policy in the future.
What does it mean to be insured as a named driver? ›
As the owner of the auto insurance policy, the named insured is presumed to be the primary driver. This means that their driving record, credit history and more are taken into account when the carrier calculates premiums. The named insured also decides whom the policy covers, which affects premiums.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in New Jersey? ›
If someone else is driving your car and gets in an accident, your car insurance will likely cover any resulting damage. Car insurance generally follows the car instead of the driver, so the car owner's insurance will cover the crash, even if someone else is driving.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in NY? ›
If a licensed driver has permission from the insured owner to operate the motor vehicle in New York, would the insurance policy for the vehicle provide coverage in the event that its operator is involved in an accident? Conclusion: Yes. As a general rule, § 60-1.1(c) of 11 NYCRR (Reg.
Do I lose my no claims if a named driver has an accident? ›
Your level of no claims discount won't be affected, even if you add a named driver with no car insurance history. However, if a named driver has an accident whilst driving your car, it will affect your no claims discount in exactly the same way as if you, yourself, had been behind the wheel.
Is it cheaper to add a named driver? ›
Is car insurance cheaper with a named driver? A named driver might be older and more experienced than yourself. So, your costs could go down if you add them to your policy. That's because driver age and on-the-road experience plays an important part in working out the likelihood of a claim.
Does it matter who is the named insured? ›
In most cases, the business will be the only named insured, but the owners or subsidiaries can also be Named Insureds. In terms of cover, Named Insureds have the broadest protection and indemnity under the policy.
Does it matter whose name is on the car insurance card? ›
Car insurance companies want to determine the risk they're taking on by offering you an auto insurance policy and thus require you to inform them of all licensed household members and anyone else who frequently drives your vehicles.
Does it matter who the primary driver is? ›
An insurer must know your policy's primary driver because this will impact your premium. In fact, the primary driver and their circ*mstances will significantly impact how much you pay for car insurance, even if you have multiple secondary drivers added to your policy.
What happens if you lend someone your car? ›
Your insurance becomes the primary coverage when lending the car to family members or friends. Even if the person borrowing your car has the best coverage available, your insurance covers your vehicle. However, the borrower's insurance might provide backup coverage in certain situations.
Changes to car insurance minimum requirements in New Jersey
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person. $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident. $25,000 property damage liability per accident.
What happens if an unlicensed driver has an accident with my car in NJ? ›
In New York and New Jersey, car insurance attaches to a vehicle and not to the person driving it. An auto insurance policy may, therefore, cover an injured party's damages even if the at-fault driver was unlicensed or uninsured.
What happens if a driver is not listed on an insurance policy? ›
If you frequently let someone drive your car who isn't named on your auto policy, your insurer has every right to deny your claim, leaving you with no compensation. If you file a claim with the driver's insurer, they might: Say the driver didn't cause the accident and deny the claim.
Do household members have to be listed on your insurance policy? ›
Before choosing to exclude a driver from your insurance policy, talk to your insurance agent about your specific situation. In general, everyone that is 14 years and older who resides within your household should be listed on your policy, regardless of whether or not they have a driver's license.
What happens if someone who isn t on your insurance crashes your car in ny? ›
If you allow an excluded driver to use your car and that person gets into an accident, your insurance policy won't cover the damage. You will be fully liable for paying to repair your own vehicle as well as damages to other vehicles and medical bills from any injuries.
Why does my insurance go up when I remove a driver? ›
If the driver has a history of insurance claims and accidents removing them from your policy may reduce your rate. On the other hand, your rate could go up if the driver has no history of claims, accidents, or traffic violations.
Who should be the named driver? ›
Who can be added as a named driver? Technically anyone you choose to add can be a named driver - partner, spouse, family member or friend. It could be a parent adding a son or daughter to their car insurance, or someone adding their spouse - a wife adding a husband, or vice versa.
Can a named driver use the car? ›
Types of Policies
In Ireland, it's common for young drivers to be included on their parent's insurance policies as a Named Driver, which means they can legally use the vehicle as long as a qualified driver is in the car, they have their provisional licence, and the vehicle has L plates clearly displayed.
Do named drivers get no claims direct line? ›
If the insurance policy is with us, then yes. We recognise named drivers' no claim history, so we'll take into account how many years you haven't made a claim on someone else's policy. To get this named driver no claim bonus transfer, make sure you give the details of the policy you're named on when you get your quote.
