Car insurance fronting: What is it, the consequences and how to avoid it

Fronting is when a driver falsely declares that they are the main driver of a vehicle on a car insurance policy (the person who'll drive the car the most).

Drivers sometimes do this to cut costs, as parents or older drivers who are more experienced drivers are seen by insurers as lower risk, and therefore should get cheaper premiums.

But this isn't a money saving hack; car insurance fronting is illegal. It's a type of insurance fraud, so it can have some serious consequences.

The consequences for fronting can be severe and potentially life-changing both for the youngsters and the person named as the policy holder,’ says David Keating, our Motor Technical Claims Manager.

Your policy may be invalidated

If fronting is identified, your insurer may void your policy – which can be treated as if it never existed. 

This means you may not be covered for any incident, even if you’ve been paying for your insurance.

Criminal consequences

Fronting is a form of insurance fraud. If your policy is invalidated, the driver can be considered uninsured.

‘This could put you at risk of criminal prosecution for driving without insurance, which may lead to a fine, penalty points, or even disqualification from driving,’ David explains.

Insurance fraud can also result in a criminal record, depending on the circumstances.

Financial and civil consequences

The financial impact of fronting can be significant.

‘In the event of an accident, if the insurer has to meet any third-party claim for injury or damage, they have the right to recover those costs from the driver and the policyholder,’ says David.

This means you could be held personally responsible for paying back substantial sums – potentially tens, hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds. 

Legal action may be taken to recover these costs, which could affect your finances, credit rating, and even assets such as your home.

Long-term impact

The consequences don’t end there.

• You may find it much harder to get car insurance in the future, and some insurers may refuse to cover you.
• Your premiums are likely to increase significantly
• This may also impact your ability to access credit, loans, or other financial products
• Driving without valid insurance could also result in further penalties, and in some cases, your vehicle may be seized.

While you may be shocked at the price of your newly-qualified child’s insurance, there’s a reason why prices are higher for younger drivers’ car insurance.

Young or inexperienced drivers are more likely to claim on their insurance, making them higher risk.