How does car insurance in Australia cover additional drivers?
You might be covered if an unlisted driver gets into an accident in your car, but there are some conditions to be aware of.
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There are car insurance policies out there that will provide cover for a friend or family member, even if they're not nominated on your policy. Some insurers offer you cover for an unlisted driver but they usually come with an unlisted driver excess. Others will simply refuse to cover unlisted drivers, so it pays to know when this might apply to you.
Does car insurance cover additional drivers?
Yes but coverage varies between car insurers. You might find that one insurer will cover anyone who drives your car even if you haven't nominated them on your policy, while others will likely charge an extra excess in addition to other excesses. This is also usually the case if the additional driver is under 25, or over 25 but has less than 2 years driving experience.
In the majority of cases, you will need to list all drivers on your policy who regularly use the car. If you don't, you risk a reduction or refusal of a claim. So you can't put a car insurance policy in your name if someone else is the main driver. This is called car insurance fronting and it's illegal.
How do insurers treat additional drivers?
Depending on who you are with, you may have to pay an additional excess for other drivers in the event of a claim. These insurers, for example, provide the following cover:
- Bingle: Unless you list them on your policy, you will have to pay an additional excess on top of your standard excess for claims made for loss, damage, or liability by household members or regular drivers using your car. An unlisted household member or unlisted regular driver excess will be in the region of $1,950.
- Huddle: There is an undeclared driver excess if the driver is under 25 and hasn't been declared as a driver. This also applies to inexperienced drivers e.g. anyone who has not held a driver's licence that is valid in Australia for more than 2 consecutive years. It comes with an excess of $800. Excesses for drivers aged 21 to 24 are $1,600 and $2,000 for drivers under 21.
- Budget Direct: Additional drivers under the age of 21 will have to pay a $600 excess and drivers aged 21 to 24 will need to pay $500 in the event of a claim. Drivers who haven't held a full Australian licence for at least 2 years will have to pay $500, while unlisted will pay $600.
- Youi: Youi have a driver specific excess for unlisted drivers and young drivers, regardless of whether they are a regular or listed driver.
- Virgin: Additional excesses apply when the car is driven by a person who is not excluded but who is not listed as an additional driver. They also apply if they are under 21, aged 21 to 24 and have not held an Australian license for at least 2 years.
- AAMI: If the driver is 25 years or over but have held their driver's licence for less than two years and are listed on insurance, the excess is $400. If they are not listed, the inexperienced driver excess is $1,400.
- Coles: There is an inexperienced driver excess of $1,200 which applies when the driver of the car has not held an Australian drivers licence for more than two years and is 25 or older. There is also an age excess and an unlisted driver excess.
- Woolworths: There is an additional excess for an undeclared young driver (under the age of 25) and for an inexperienced driver over 25 years of age who has not held an Australian license for at least 2 years.
Are unlisted drivers still covered?
In most cases, yes. However, you will generally have to pay an additional excess if they are involved in an accident, which can be more than $2,000. There is also generally an age excess charge if they're under 25.
If someone plans to use your car regularly, then the best option is to list them as an additional driver; that way, you don't need to worry about the huge excess. Keep in mind though that there are some insurers who will charge you an additional excess regardless of whether they are listed or not. Some insurers also won't cover unlisted household members. Be sure to read your product disclosure statement to make sure there are no exclusions like this if you are an unlisted driver.
Does it matter if an unlisted driver gets in an accident?
If an unlisted driver gets in an accident, and you have given them permission to drive, you'll probably have to pay your standard excess as well as an additional unlisted driver excess in the region of $2,000. Other policies however, will void your car insurance if a driver isn't listed. You should always check with your provider as to how listed and unlisted drivers are taken into account.
While CTP car insurance provides protection regardless of who is driving your car, some will only cover the drivers nominated on your policy. Some unlisted driver exclusions include no cover for damage, loss or liability arising out of the use of your car:
- By any household member not listed on your car insurance certificate
- If your car has an age restriction to help reduce your premiums
- By anyone driving your car without your permission, unless reported to the police
Do I need to list everyone that drives my car?
If someone plans to use your car frequently, you should list them on your insurance certificate. It's also a really good idea to list all household members, provided they plan to use the car, as car insurers might exclude unlisted drivers outright. The only time it's not worth listing someone on your car is if they rarely use it.
The easiest way to avoid unwanted additional excesses or a claim refusal, is not to let any unlisted person drive your car. However, if you live with someone who shares the car, it's probably worth listing them on your insurance certificate. You'll pay more but it provides them with the same services and protection as you. It could also save you heaps in the long run.
How do I add an additional driver to my car insurance?
If you already have a policy, you can phone your car insurance provider and ask them to add an additional driver to your policy. They'll usually be able to add them on straight away. Your premiums will go up, especially if they're a younger or less experienced driver.
Alternatively, you can compare car insurance providers for a deal that works best for you. When you're filling out an application, you'll have the option of adding an additional driver to your policy. All you need to do is add their details and the insurer will calculate your premiums.
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