Putting Dad as 'Main Driver' to Save Money? Stop! Why 'Fronting' is Insurance Fraud
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| Putting Dad as 'Main Driver' to Save Money? Stop! |
You have just passed your driving test. You go online to get insurance quotes, and the price is shocking: £2,500+ a year.
Then, your friend suggests a "trick": "Just put your dad as the Main Driver and yourself as a Named Driver. The price will drop to £800!"
It sounds like a smart money-saving hack. But in the eyes of the UK law, it has a different name: Insurance Fraud.
This practice is called "Fronting." If you get caught, saving a few pounds now could cost you your license, your car, and your financial future.
What Exactly is 'Fronting'?
Fronting happens when you list an experienced driver (like a parent) as the Main Driver of a vehicle, even though a younger, riskier driver (you) is the one actually using the car the most (e.g., driving to work/college daily).
- Legal: Adding a parent as a "Named Driver" (secondary) if they genuinely drive your car occasionally.
- Illegal (Fronting): Declaring a parent as the "Main Driver" to manipulate the risk profile and lower the premium.
How Do Insurers Catch You?
You might think, "How will they know?" Insurers are smarter than you think. In 2026, they use sophisticated AI.
If you make a claim (especially for a crash near your college/workplace), 'Forensic Claims Investigators' check:
- Telematics Data: Does the "Black Box" show the car is driven erratically at 2 AM on Fridays? (Unlikely to be Dad).
- Commute Patterns: Is the car parked daily at a University campus?
- The "V5C" Keeper: Is the car registered in your name but insured in Dad's?
- Social Media: Posts captioned "My new car!" are used as evidence.
The Severe Consequences
If you are caught Fronting, the insurer will declare your policy Void Ab Initio (Invalid from the start). This leads to a domino effect of disaster:
🚨 The "Right of Recovery" Nightmare
Most people think "Void" just means "No Payout." It is worse.
- You Pay Everything: The insurer may be forced to pay the victim (Third Party) by law, but they will then sue you to recover that money. If you hit a luxury car, you could owe £50,000+ personally.
- Police Prosecution: Driving without valid insurance (IN10 code) means 6 penalty points, a heavy fine, and potential disqualification.
- The 'CUE' Blacklist: Your fraud is recorded on the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) database. For the rest of your life, you will struggle to get insurance, mortgages, or credit.
The Legal Way to Save Money
Don't risk a criminal record. Use these legal methods instead:
- Black Box (Telematics): Prove you are a safe driver to get a discount.
- Add a Parent Legally: Add an experienced driver as a secondary named driver. This often lowers the price legitimately because the risk is shared.
- Choose a Lower Insurance Group: Avoid sporty hatchbacks; stick to 1.0L engines.
Don't Risk Your Future for £500
Fronting is not a "loophole." It is a lie. The moment you need insurance the most (after a serious accident), a fronted policy will be worthless.
Be honest. Pay the higher premium now, build your No Claims Bonus (NCB), and the price will drop naturally next year. It is cheaper than paying a court settlement.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Insurance fraud is a criminal offence under the Fraud Act 2006. Penalties for driving without insurance are set by the UK government and can change.
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