Named driver insurance

Here's everything that you need to know about adding a named driver to your car insurance policy, how it impacts your costs, and the risks involved.

So, what is a named driver? A named driver is someone that you add to your car insurance policy so they are legally allowed to drive your car.
They are fully covered to get behind the wheel of your car, but the policy itself still belongs to you.

The big question is, will it actually save you any money? Sometimes, yes. If you add an experienced driver with a clean driving record, your premium might drop. This is because insurers see the overall policy as a lower risk.

However, it does work both ways. If you add a newly qualified or higher-risk driver to your car insurance policy, expect your premiums to go up.

Insurers don't just look at you. They assess the combined risk of everyone on the policy. There is no flat rate for this. Your premium will adjust based entirely on the new driver's specific risk profile.

Now, here is the key detail that catches people out. If the named driver has an accident, the claim is made on your policy. That means that your no-claims bonus could take a hit and your future costs could increase. You are trusting them with your car and your discount.

Keep in mind that generally, you won't build up your own no-claims bonus if you're driving someone else's car unless the insurer offers it specifically.

One important warning. Adding an older, experienced person as the main driver when it's actually you driving most of the time is called fronting. It is illegal and it will invalidate your car insurance policy. It is never worth the risk.

For more clear, reliable guides on car insurance, visit Confused.com.