Research from Go.Compare Car Insurance found that 55% of parents of young drivers said that the cost of car insurance was one of their biggest concerns, with 64% of parents saying they would consider insuring their child’s car on a policy in their name.
However, fronting – when an older or more experienced driver declares themselves to be the ‘main’ driver of the car when it is mostly driven by a young or more inexperienced person – is a type of car insurance fraud.
Fronting is illegal and can invalidate an insurance policy. In some cases, the driver could be charged with insurance fraud, which is a serious criminal offence. In others, they could risk paying a fine or getting points on their licence.
A third of families admit to fronting
The research by Go.Compare surveyed 1,705 car owners and found that 35% of parents questioned admitted that they, or their partner, are listed as the main driver with their child as the additional driver.
When both parents and young drivers were asked if they were fronting, these figures were highest in the North West (36%), Yorkshire and the Humber (35%) and London and the South West, both at 34%.
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Tom Banks, motoring expert at Go.Compare, said: “With the cost of getting on the road increasing again this year, it’s understandable that families are looking for ways to save money where they can. It might seem like a good idea to put a trusted parent or guardian as the main driver on your insurance policy, but if they aren’t the main driver, this is fronting and is an illegal offence – it will likely void your policy and could result in a fine or criminal record.
“With 35% of parents admitting that they have fronted an insurance policy, and 64% saying that they would consider it, it is clear that the cost of insurance is a big concern for parents and young drivers. It isn’t just the cost of insurance that is a major concern for parents either – 30% said the cost of driving lessons is a big concern, while just over a quarter (26%) said the cost of the car itself.”
How to drive down the cost of car insurance
Only pay for what you need
There is a whole host of add-ons available from insurers including key cover, breakdown cover and windscreen cover. Consider which ones you really need, and look at whether purchasing them separately from your main policy is cheaper.
Time your purchase
The day you buy your policy can have an effect on the cost. Go.Compare research shows that purchasing your insurance on the same day it’s due for renewal, compared to purchasing it 26 days prior, could result in you paying 55% more.
Shop around
Getting lots of quotes from different insurers is one of the easiest ways to make sure that you are getting the best deal. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use a price comparison website so you can see quotes from multiple insurers.
Think about your job title
While you should never lie about your occupation, the way you describe your job could have an effect on your premium. For example, a ‘chef’ might pay a different premium to a ‘cook’.
