Additional Drivers Car Insurance
A large number of the additional drivers in the UK are young drivers and teenagers who are included on their parents car insurance policy. Inexperienced motorists under the age of 25 and possibly first time drivers are often quoted very expensive premiums because they are regarded as high risk by insurers.
Click through on the ‘Get a Quote’ button above to compare additional driver policies from over 110 of the leading UK motor insurers, and obtain the most suitable fully featured cover and protection you require. The Quotezone click and compare service is entirely free to use. It is a totally independent and impartial insurance comparison site, already helping over 1 million drivers across the UK to get the best deal.
Additional Drivers Car Insurance FAQs
What is an “additional driver” on car insurance?
An additional driver is someone other than the main policyholder who is permitted to drive the insured vehicle. They get the same level of cover as the main driver (e.g., comprehensive), unless stated otherwise.
Does adding an additional driver increase my insurance cost?
It depends. Adding an experienced, low-risk driver (e.g., a parent) can reduce premiums. Adding a young or high-risk driver (e.g., new driver or someone with points) usually increases premiums. Insurers calculate the likelihood that each listed driver will make a claim.
Can I add an additional driver temporarily?
Yes. Many insurers offer temporary additional driver cover for: A day; A week; A month.
This is often used for visiting family, borrowing cars, or driving on holidays. It usually costs more per day but avoids long-term rate changes.
Will the additional driver earn a No Claims Bonus (NCB)?
No. Only the main policyholder earns the No Claims Bonus. However, the additional driver can use the experience to get better rates elsewhere later—but not an official NCB.
Can I list someone as an additional driver if they drive the car most of the time?
No. That’s insurance fronting, which is illegal. The main driver must be the person who uses the car most often. Adding a higher-risk driver as a “secondary” driver to lower the premium can invalidate your insurance and lead to penalties.
In most cases it will be cheaper to add your son or daughter to your motor insurance policy than for them to purchase their own. If they are going to be driving their own car, it makes sense to insure it with your (car insurance) provider so that you can get a multi-policy discount. As soon as your teenager begins to drive, make sure to notify your insurance company that there will be an additional driver in the house. This will, always be reflected in higher insurance premiums.
If you are new to the challenge of finding a competitive quote for adding an additional driver, make sure you shop around to get the best deal. Also encourage your additional driver to undertake a recognised driver development training course and try to ensure they are driving a smaller engine, safe vehicle.
Up until recently however there was always one major drawback of this approach. Additional drivers insured on policies could not build up any no claims bonus unlike the main driver or policyholder. Therefore, additional drivers looking to take out their own car insurance policy in the future would effectively start with zero no claims bonus.
