Who Is Covered When Driving a Car?

As with any type of insurance, certain rules exist regarding who is entitled to the car insurance coverage that has been obtained for a single vehicle. For UK drivers, the rules are clear and typically followed across the board by all UK insurers. In general, the policyholder and his named drivers are insured under the car insurance cover held by the policyholder. Who can be listed as a named driver? What about unnamed drivers? Can they be covered with the policy? Are there any opportunities to add a temporary driver to the coverage?

Named Drivers

Named drivers are those who share the vehicle with the policyholder. Typically, these drivers are family members who are sharing the expense of the vehicle in order to save money on the vehicle tax and the cost of petrol. Since these drivers are all driving the same vehicle, only one car insurance cover must be purchased. However, each additional driver must be listed in order to be insured by the policy. Hence, any additional drivers who are listed on the policy are referred to as named drivers. Anyone who is not listed is not covered by the insurance unless Short-Term Insurance cover or cover for unnamed drivers has been obtained.

How Many Additional Drivers Can Be Listed on a Single Policy?

Most insurers allow a maximum number of additional drivers to be included on a single car insurance policy. While this number does sometimes vary from one insurer to another, four additional or named drivers are typically allowed.

Unnamed Drivers

When the policyholder gives permission to individuals to drive his insured vehicle who are not listed on his car insurance cover, they are referred to as unnamed drivers. An additional fee or increase in the premium is typically charged to anyone who wishes to include this aspect in their coverage.

Is There an Advantage to Adding a Good Driver to Your Car Insurance Cover?

As most drivers are aware, young, inexperienced drivers typically pay more expensive costs for their car insurance cover than older, more experienced drivers with good driving records. Therefore, it follows that adding someone with a good driving history and a No Claims Discount to their car insurance cover often reduces the cost for the young driver. Since this might not always be the case for every insurer, it is important to ask around first.

What About Short-Term Insurance Cover for Temporary Drivers?

Most insurers have an established policy regarding temporary drivers and car insurance cover. This issue might arise when friends or relatives come to visit for several days, weeks, or months. Quite often, the individual with whom the friends or relatives are staying will allow them to borrow and drive his vehicle. Most insurers offer Short-Term Insurance Cover for temporary drivers in this situation.

Referred to as Short-Term Premium Rate or STPR, Short-Term Insurance Cover provides the opportunity to temporarily add a driver or drivers to the insurance cover for a fee. This fee is generally more expensive than those offered with conventional insurance covers.

Intro: Is everyone who drives your vehicle covered under your car insurance coverage? If not, who is?

Kevin Kuper is a keen writer about car insurance and home insurance products.