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Original poster

Owner/ keeper and main driver insurance please help

35 replies

Teal222 · 28/10/2023 19:10

Hi
we just bought a used car we used my savings so it’s going in my name on the log book
however after doing insurance checks it’s cheaper for my partner to be the main driver I assume because he is older.
anyway it asks on the quote if he is the registered keeper clicked no and clicked my name ( additional driver )
before going through with it I want to make sure it’s legal and I’m doing it correctly as first car
so I’ll be on log book and I assume tax will be in my name and can he be main driver on insurance .

thank you

OP posts:
Ratfinkstinkypink · 28/10/2023 19:11

Who will be driving it most, you or him?

PosterBoy · 28/10/2023 19:12

As long as he is driving it more than you, it's fine

PosterBoy · 28/10/2023 19:14

Also, he will be earning the no claims bonus discount not you. Might or might not bother you

Original poster
Teal222 · 28/10/2023 19:19

To be honest we both will drive it equally but I can make sure he drives it more I guess if needed

OP posts:
ohtowinthelottery · 28/10/2023 19:37

I bought a car in my name which my DS was going to use occasionally. Then DS's circumstances changed and he needed the car more. He took the insurance out in his name with me as the owner on the log book and added as a named driver. He had an accident in the car and the insurance paid out no problem.

Original poster
Teal222 · 28/10/2023 19:47

ohtowinthelottery · 28/10/2023 19:37

I bought a car in my name which my DS was going to use occasionally. Then DS's circumstances changed and he needed the car more. He took the insurance out in his name with me as the owner on the log book and added as a named driver. He had an accident in the car and the insurance paid out no problem.

Ok thank you so much going to put him as main driver then as it works out cheaper and we both will be using the car but will try and make sure he drives it more than me. As for tax I assume that will be ok in my name as I’m going to be on the logbook thanks for helping

OP posts:
ohtowinthelottery · 28/10/2023 19:57

@Teal222 The tax comes out of my account still (but I now get DS to pay me as he now has exclusive use of the car) and I also set up the MOT notification so I can make sure he books it!

Original poster
Teal222 · 28/10/2023 22:50

Yes I think tax will be in my name but we will do the insurance as him
main driver he more than likely use it more a little anyway

OP posts:
BellaVita · 28/10/2023 22:56

Be careful OP, this is considered as fronting.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/what-is-car-insurance-fronting/

Pleaseme · 28/10/2023 23:07

It's only fronting if he is not the primary driver. If you are going to use it equally then he can drive when you guys go out and be the main driver.

ReturnOfTheRainMac · 28/10/2023 23:43

Can't you just put the car in his name to remove any doubt? If you don't tick new keeper, it won't add an owner on. That used to be the case anyway.

Original poster
Teal222 · 29/10/2023 05:41

I am thinking that can I change it now? Put a deposit down already and told them it’s going my name would they have done paperwork already? Delivery and balance to be paid next week

OP posts:
WYorkshireRose · 29/10/2023 05:58

You're partners. It's a non-issue. Fronting is (primarily) an issue when parents are taking out insurance for a child who is clearly going to be the main driver, in order to secure a lower premium. If the driving is going to be fairly equal between you then doing what you're proposing is absolutely fine OP.

ChimChimeny · 29/10/2023 06:05

PosterBoy · 28/10/2023 19:14

Also, he will be earning the no claims bonus discount not you. Might or might not bother you

this is a good point, if you ever have a car each his insurance will be even cheaper than yours because he'll have the no claims bonus and you won't.

steppingcarefully · 29/10/2023 06:12

I'm a bit confused by all this. Is it legal for a parent to have a car registered in their name but take out an insurance naming the child as the main driver?

PosterBoy · 29/10/2023 07:31

steppingcarefully · 29/10/2023 06:12

I'm a bit confused by all this. Is it legal for a parent to have a car registered in their name but take out an insurance naming the child as the main driver?

Yeah, it's legal for anyone.

KateyCuckoo · 29/10/2023 07:36

Yes 'my' car is actually in DH's name because its a lease through his work and his car is in my name. Our insurance policies are correct though as main drivers respectively and this was discussed with the companies to make sure it's all done properly.

ChessieFL · 29/10/2023 07:38

We do the same here, I own the car but DH is the main driver on insurance as he drives it most. Not a problem at all.

Busgirl29 · 29/10/2023 07:43

Insurance companies tend to ask who is going to be the main driver - providing whatever you tell them is true, it doesn't matter who owns the car. You tick the right boxes and they calculate the insurance based on what you have told them.

Fronting is when you lie about who is doing most of the driving in order to secure a cheaper premium. If you're both regularly driving the car then don't worry too much. We only have one car between us and I am down as the main driver; I don't know who technically drives more miles, I drive it most days during the week and DP at weekends, but there is no intention to defraud.

Sugarfree23 · 29/10/2023 07:51

Op is one of you likely to use the car for commuting? I'd have them as the main driver as that's how the insurance companies will see it.

Whenever you put a claim in they always ask 'where were you going' and 'what was the purpose of the journey'.

And remember they already know where you live and work, an accident outside your workplace at 5pm is likely to look like you are the main driver.

Sugarfree23 · 29/10/2023 07:58

steppingcarefully · 29/10/2023 06:12

I'm a bit confused by all this. Is it legal for a parent to have a car registered in their name but take out an insurance naming the child as the main driver?

Yes of course it is.

It would be wrong for a parent to say they are the main driver when the kid is taking it to uni everyday.

In fact that could lead the insurance companies to say the policy was taken out using false information.

They'd calculate the kid to be higher risk, and uni as even higher having lots of inexperienced drivers.

ReturnOfTheRainMac · 29/10/2023 08:17

Teal222 · 29/10/2023 05:41

I am thinking that can I change it now? Put a deposit down already and told them it’s going my name would they have done paperwork already? Delivery and balance to be paid next week

I don't think they will amend the log book until the day of purchase so definitely ask them. Log book is not proof of ownership but the registered keeper so your receipt will be the proof of that if needed and then no concerns for insurance purposes - which you likely wouldn't have anyway but it's just easier to not have to have these explanations required etc in the event of an accident

Chasingsquirrels · 29/10/2023 08:23

Teal222 · 29/10/2023 05:41

I am thinking that can I change it now? Put a deposit down already and told them it’s going my name would they have done paperwork already? Delivery and balance to be paid next week

My dad changed a recent car purchase to my mums name a couple of days before collecting it.

He'd been to see it, paid deposit & said in his name but was part-exing my mum's. Mum was a bit miffed, not actually sure why he said in his name, probably cos he'd been there on his own. I said about him then having to have 2 insurances in his name and not having 2 no claims (I know some companies let you) and he hadn't thought of that and rang the garage and they just changed it.

WYorkshireRose · 29/10/2023 09:31

steppingcarefully · 29/10/2023 06:12

I'm a bit confused by all this. Is it legal for a parent to have a car registered in their name but take out an insurance naming the child as the main driver?

Yes. What would be wrong would be not to name them as the main driver if they actually are.

ohtowinthelottery · 29/10/2023 09:38

@steppingcarefully See my post at 19.37 yesterday.
There are many circumstances in which the registered owner/keeper is not the main driver. The insurance company is just interested in their risk factor so base their premium on who is driving the most (plus additional drivers).