Fronting and car insurance

Looking to save money on your car insurance by being a named driver? Think again!

While it can be perfectly legit to be a named driver on someone else’s policy, if it’s your car or it’s mainly being used by you, then the insurance policy needs to be in your name. Otherwise, you could be breaking the law in the form of “fronting”!

What is "fronting"?

Fronting is when a more experienced or older driver is named as the main user of a vehicle, when in fact it’s mainly being driven by someone less experienced, such as a younger person, to save money on car insurance.

Because insurance is priced on the risk of the individual, the insurer needs to know who the main driver is, so the policy is accurate. If someone lies when taking out cover, this violates the policy’s Ts and Cs making the insurance void. This is fraudulent and illegal.

Unfortunately, fronting is a common issue. A recent YouGov survey (commissioned by the IFB in May 2024) found 35% of 18-24 year olds would find it acceptable to lie on an insurance application to save money. And with so many young drivers being completely unaware that fronting is actually fraud, countless people are risking more than they know.

What are the consequences?

If the police stops a driver with fronted car insurance, they face the same consequences as any other uninsured driver. This includes their car being seized, possibly crushed, and facing court where they could get a driving ban and an unlimited fine. A criminal conviction can also impact job prospects. 

If an insurer has clear evidence of fronting, those responsible can be added to the Insurance Fraud Register (IFR) which is shared with insurers and makes it very difficult for the individual(s) to take out any type of insurance in the future. 

How can I save money on my car insurance?

With insurance prices rising, we know more people will be tempted to front on their car insurance to save money, but it’s not worth the risk! 

Check out our top tips to help reduce the cost of your car insurance:

• Choose a less powerful vehicle.
• Drive safely to avoid collisions and penalty points to protect your ‘No Claims Discount’ (NCD).
• Get a black or ‘telematics’ box.
• Use price comparison sites or a BIBA-registered Broker to find a good deal.
• Consider paying for a higher excess on your insurance in case of a claim.
• Take measures to protect your car from theft such as an alarm or immobiliser.
• If you’re already insured but are struggling with costs, speak to your insurer to see what other payment options may be available.
• Avoid fake car insurance deals known as Ghost Broking scams on social media.