When you take out car insurance, you will be asked who the main driver of the car is. This should be the person who will use it most often.
If a different person is listed as the main driver to make the insurance cheaper, this may be classed as fronting. Fronting is a type of insurance fraud and can have serious consequences for everyone involved.
Here is what fronting means, how it differs from a genuine named-driver arrangement and how to make sure your policy details are correct.
What does fronting mean?
Fronting happens when a lower-risk or more experienced driver is declared as the main driver of a car, even though another person will actually use it most.
It often involves a parent and a young or newly qualified driver. Young drivers can cost more to insure because they have less experience on the road. To try to get a lower price, a parent may take out the policy in their own name and add the young driver as a named driver.
If the young driver is really the car’s main user, the information given when arranging the policy is not accurate. The Association of British Insurers describes this practice as fronting and warns that it is a form of insurance fraud.
What is an example of fronting?
Imagine a young driver has their own car and uses it every day to travel to work or college. Their parent only drives it occasionally.
If the parent is declared as the main driver and the young person is added as a named driver, this is likely to be fronting. The young person is the car’s main user and should be declared as such.
It does not matter that both people are listed on the policy. The important point is whether the correct person has been named as the main driver.
Is fronting car insurance illegal?
Yes. Deliberately giving false information to get cheaper car insurance is fraud. MoneyHelper also warns that pretending a parent is the main driver is fronting and is illegal.
Some people may not realise that they have arranged their cover incorrectly. However, a mistake can still cause problems if the policy does not reflect how the car is really used. If you are unsure, or the way the car is used has changed, speak to your insurance broker as soon as possible.
What could happen if you are caught fronting?
Fronting can affect both the policyholder and the person who is actually the main driver. Possible consequences include:
- The policy being cancelled or treated as though it was never valid.
- A claim being reduced or refused.
- Having to pay some or all of the costs following an accident.
- Finding it harder or more expensive to get insurance in the future.
- An investigation and possible criminal conviction for insurance fraud.
The exact outcome will depend on the circumstances. However, the ABI’s guidance on insurance fraud makes clear that falsely naming a lower-risk person as the main driver to reduce the price is fraud.
Who should be the main driver?
The main driver is usually the person who uses the car most often. When deciding who this is, think about:
- Who drives the car on most days.
- Who uses it for regular journeys, such as commuting to work or travelling to college.
- Who is likely to complete most of the annual mileage.
- Where the car is normally kept and who has regular access to it.
The main driver is not always the same person as the car’s owner or registered keeper. These details may be asked separately, so each question should be answered accurately.
If two people share the car almost equally, explain the situation to your insurance broker. They can help you provide the details needed for the policy.
Can a parent be added as a named driver?
Yes. Adding a parent or another experienced driver as a named driver is allowed, as long as the arrangement is genuine.
For example, if a young person uses the car most, they should be the main driver. Their parent can still be added as a named driver if they will also use the car from time to time.
In some cases, adding an experienced named driver may help lower the cost. This is not guaranteed, and all information must be accurate. A named driver should only be included if they are genuinely expected to drive the car.
What if the main driver changes?
The way a car is used can change during a policy. A named driver may start using it more often, begin commuting in it or take it to university.
If this happens, contact your insurance broker promptly. They can explain whether the policy needs to be updated. Do not wait until you need to make a claim, as incorrect details could affect your cover.
How can young drivers lower their insurance legally?
Car insurance can be expensive for new drivers, but fronting is not worth the risk. There are safer ways to look for a more affordable price:
- Choose a car in a lower insurance group before buying.
- Consider a telematics or black-box policy if it suits your driving habits.
- Give an accurate estimate of your annual mileage.
- Add an experienced driver as a genuine named driver.
- Choose a voluntary excess you could comfortably afford if you made a claim.
- Compare suitable policies and levels of cover.
- Build up a no-claims discount by driving safely and avoiding claims.
Never change your job title, address, mileage, parking arrangements or main-driver details just to get a cheaper quote. The information you give should reflect your real circumstances.
Check that your car insurance details are right
Fronting can turn an attempt to save money into a much bigger cost. The safest approach is to be clear about who owns the car, who keeps it and who will drive it most.
If you are looking for car insurance, One Call Insurance can help you explore cover based on your circumstances. Get a quote when you are ready, or speak to our team if you are unsure how to describe your driving arrangements.
Cover, terms and eligibility vary. Always check the policy wording to make sure the cover meets your needs.
