What you need to know about adding a named driver
Key takeaways:
- When you add a named driver to your policy, they’ll automatically receive the same level of cover as the main driver.
- In the event of a car accident, the primary policyholder is responsible for the claim and whose no-claims bonus risks being lost, not the named driver.
- Adding a named driver can lower your overall premium, although the final cost depends on the additional driver’s profile and your specific car insurance provider.
- Named drivers typically can’t earn their own no-claims bonus, but some insurers may offer future discounts if you stay with the same provider.
What is a named driver?
A named driver is someone who is covered to drive a vehicle, even though they aren’t the primary policyholder.
While the main driver will be the person who does most of the driving, a named driver is anyone else who might use the vehicle. This could be a spouse, partner, family member or friend.
Typically, your insurance provider will ask whether you’d like to add any named drivers when you purchase your policy. However, in most cases, they can also be added to existing plans.
While it depends on your provider, adding a named driver is usually a simple and inexpensive process - and can sometimes make your car insurance cheaper.
Once they’ve been added to your policy, the named driver will share the same level of cover as the person who does most of the driving. This means they’ll be able to make a claim in the event of an accident.
What’s the difference between a main driver and a named driver?
The main driver is the person who uses the insured vehicle the most. In most cases, they’ll also be the primary policyholder.
A named driver, however, is someone who drives the vehicle less frequently but is still covered under the same policy.
It can be helpful to view named drivers as ‘guests’ on the main driver’s insurance. This means that if there’s an accident, it’s the main driver who is responsible for making a claim - even if they weren't the one behind the wheel.
In almost all cases it’s the main driver, not the named driver, who risks losing their no-claims bonus and whose future premium could be affected.
How much does it cost to add a named driver?
This depends on your specific insurer and the details of both the primary and named driver. Many providers will charge a small admin fee if you’re making changes to a current policy. If you’re starting a new plan, you typically won't be charged this fee.
In order to determine the cost of adding additional drivers, your provider will ask you to provide some information about who you’re adding. This might include their age, occupation, driving licence type, claims history, and relationship to the main driver.
While all these factors will affect the final price of your insurance, we’ve taken a look at the average cost of insurance based on the number of named drivers added to a policy:
| Drivers insurance on the policy | Average premium* |
|---|---|
| Main driver only | £591.35 |
| Main driver + spouse | £379.76 |
| Main driver + one named driver | £709.23 |
| Main driver + two named drivers | £918.22 |
| Main driver + three named drivers | £867.02 |
| Main driver + four named drivers | £1,070.72 |
*Uswitch data Oct - Dec 2025. These figures represent the average premium costs based on the total number of drivers added onto a comprehensive policy.
Does adding a named driver make my car insurance cheaper?
According to Uswitch data, adding your spouse could reduce your premium by around £211.59 annually. However, this depends on a number of factors, such as the driver’s age, driving history, and years of experience behind the wheel.
Younger drivers, for example, are considered to be more of a risk to insurance providers, which tends to result in higher premiums. So, adding a young person as a named driver could make your policy more expensive.
However, adding an older, more experienced driver has the opposite effect and can often make your car insurance cheaper.
If you’re considering adding a named driver, but you’re unsure how it will affect your premium, you can get in touch with your insurer. While some providers will update your policy for free, you’ll likely be charged a small admin fee.
How do I add a named driver to my car insurance policy?
If you want to add an additional driver to your current car insurance policy, you can get in touch with your insurance provider and ask them to update your plan. In some cases, if you have an online account, you can make the change yourself online.
For car insurance renewals, you’ll usually be asked at the quotation stage whether there are any additional drivers you want to include on your policy, and you can simply add your named drivers there.
When adding a named driver, you will be asked for details such as:
- The driver’s full name
- Their date of birth
- Their main occupation
- Their driving licence number or licence type
- Any motoring convictions they’ve had in the past five years
- Any accidents or claims they’ve made in the past five years.
While it’s unlikely, it could be the case that your insurer refuses to cover an additional driver. For example, if they believe the named driver is too inexperienced.
If your named driver has their own car insurance policy, they will also need to let their insurer know that they are now a named driver on another car.
How many named drivers can you have?
You can add multiple named drivers to your car insurance policy. Although limits differ between providers, the typical cap is between two to six additional people per vehicle.
Having more than one named driver won’t necessarily make your premium more expensive. However, if the additional drivers are seen as high risk by your insurer, the overall price of your insurance is likely to go up.
What cover does the named driver have?
The named driver has the same level of cover as the main driver, so if you have fully comprehensive cover and add an additional driver to your policy, they’ll also have fully comprehensive cover.
This means that if the named driver causes an accident, your vehicle - as well as anyone else involved in the accident - would be protected. Any injuries suffered would also be covered.
Alternatively, the other two levels of cover you and your named driver could have are:
- Third party: This is the minimum level of cover required by law and pays for damage or injuries caused to another driver, their vehicle or their property.
- Third party, fire and theft: This provides the same cover as third party, but also covers the costs of repairing or replacing your own car if it’s damaged in a fire or stolen.
What extras can I get with named driver insurance?
You and any named drivers on your insurance policy will have the same level of cover, including any of the following optional extras:
- Breakdown cover insures you for the cost of calling out roadside assistance and recovery to a garage if your car breaks down.
- Courtesy car cover provides you with a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired.
- Legal protection covers the legal costs and expenses related to a claim if you're in an accident that isn't your fault.
- Personal accident cover pays out if you or any named drivers are seriously injured or killed in an accident.
- Key cover pays out in the event your keys are lost or stolen.
- Driving abroad provides cover for taking your car abroad. This will typically be the same level of cover as you have in the UK.
- Wrong fuel cover pays for the cost of repairs if you or a named driver accidentally fills up the car with the wrong fuel.
Does being a named driver affect my own insurance?
No, being a named driver will not affect your own insurance. Your existing car insurance policy, as well as your no-claims bonus and future premiums, won’t be impacted if anything happens to the car you’re named on.
Even if you’re the person driving, it’s the main driver and policyholder - not the named driver - whose insurance is affected.
Can you get a no-claims bonus as a named driver?
While it’s unlikely your insurer will let you earn your no-claims bonus as a named driver, there are exceptions.
For example, if you’ve been a named driver on someone else’s policy for two years or more and you decide to take out your own policy with the same provider, they may offer you a discounted premium.
However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the same as a no-claims bonus and might not have the same impact on the cost of your insurance. To find out if you’re eligible, simply contact your provider for more information.
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