Family car insurance plans

When it comes to insuring multiple members of your family, understanding your options is key to ensuring everyone is covered without breaking the bank. This guide explores the ins and outs of family car insurance, including multi-car policies, named drivers, and how to get the best deal for your household.

Do I need family car insurance?

There are no specific family car insurance policies, but when you’re looking to get multiple family members insured on one vehicle with one car insurance policy, it is usually referred to as ‘family car insurance’. If you are in need of separate policies for each member or you want to insure multiple cars under one household, you can opt for multi-car insurance.

A multi-car insurance policy houses all your policies under one and allows you to tailor each policy and level of cover the way you would like. Multi-car policies usually offer a ‘multi-car discount’ for each additional car you add to your policy. Not only does it make a multi-car policy more manageable, it can also be cheaper. Your policy will usually have the same renewal date and you will get reminders of when to renew.

How does family car insurance work?

You can add other drivers to your car insurance policy as a named driver, so they will be insured to drive your car.

This is particularly beneficial for families with young drivers. For instance, it can be useful for younger drivers to be named drivers on their parents’ car insurance to avoid expensive premiums.

However, it’s important that you’re upfront with your insurance company on who the main driver is on a policy. The policyholder should be the main driver.

Learner drivers

If you have a member of the family who is a learner driver, they cannot drive your car as they will be an uninsured driver. To allow them to legally drive in the UK, they need to have learner car insurance cover in place.

Who is the main driver?

The main driver is, quite simply, the person who is going to drive the car most of the time; it doesn’t necessarily have to be the owner.

By naming yourself as the main driver when it is in fact someone else, you will be committing what is known as car insurance fronting, which is illegal. Transparency with your insurer is crucial to avoid potential legal issues.

No-claims discount

Any no-claims discount (ncd) belongs to the main driver named on a policy, the main driver will also be the only one to receive a no-claims bonus.

If a named driver has an accident in your car and needs to make a claim, the claim will be on the main driver’s insurance.

This could potentially increase future premiums, so it's something to consider when adding drivers to your policy.

Multi-car insurance policies

Multi-car insurance policies are a convenient way to insure multiple vehicles under one umbrella.

Whether you opt for linked policies, where each car has its own policy but all are linked under one name, or one policy for multiple cars, there are benefits and considerations to keep in mind.

How to reduce your premiums

Insurers consider many factors when quoting a price on car insurance, from your driving history to where your car is parked when it is not being driven.

They will also look at the make and model of the car you want to insure. If you’re looking for a new car and a cheaper premium at the same time, it might be worth considering a different model.

Is it worth adding drivers or cars to my policy?

When you’re on the hunt for family car insurance plans, it’s worth noting that adding named drivers or opting for multi-car cover may make your individual premium go up, but it will likely save money across all individuals as you won’t be buying individual policies.

However, it may be cheaper to have single policies if you’re considering adding a driver with a poor driving history or convictions.

The insurance group of each car on a multi-car policy will also be considered. Adding more expensive cars, like sports cars, or those in higher groups, will mean an increase to your premiums; but it might still be cheaper than insuring each car separately.

What add-ons can I have on my family car insurance policy?

You can add optional extras to your policy as you see fit. Some comprehensive cover policies often include these as standard but you can also add these at an extra cost:

• Personal accident cover: Offers a pay-out if you get injured in a car accident.

• Breakdown cover: provides roadside assistance if your car breaks down.

• European cover: Insurance while you’re driving around Europe

• European breakdown cover: If you need assistance while driving around Europe.

• Courtesy car: Your insurer gives you a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired

• Windscreen cover: Replaces your windscreen when it is cracked.

Finding the best deal for your family

The easiest way to find cheaper car insurance for named drivers is to compare car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket. Get multi-car insurance quotes or car insurance quotes for a family car insurance policy. Our price promise ensures you will not find your policy cheaper anywhere else.

All you need to do is tell us a little about yourself, your registration number, and your driving history, as well as the same for any other drivers you’re adding to the policy.

Just choose ‘yes’ when asked if you would like to add any additional drivers. On MoneySuperMarket, you can include up to three additional drivers on your policy.

Safeguarding your family's journey

In the end, family car insurance is about finding the right balance between cost and coverage. Whether you're adding a teen driver to your policy or managing a multi-car household, understanding your options can lead to significant savings and peace of mind.

Remember to always be transparent with your insurer, consider the impact on your no-claims discount, and use tools like MoneySuperMarket to compare quotes and find the best deal. Safe travels on the road of life and insurance!

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