Adding a driver to car insurance

How to add a driver to your car insurance

Adding a driver to your car insurance can be done in a few simple steps.

1. Get in touch with your insurer. This can usually be done over the phone or via email. Some insurers have an app or online portal where you can manage your account.
2. Let them know that you'd like to add a driver to your car insurance. They'll ask you a bit about the driver; name, gender, date of birth, driving and accident history.
3. With that information, they'll decide how much extra to charge you for adding that driver. You'll either pay over the phone, online or receive a separate bill for this.
4. Once paid, your insurance will be updated to cover that additional driver.

Cost of adding a driver to your insurance

Provider	Cost with 1 driver	Cost with additional driver	Price difference
	$1,317.97	$1,322.02	$4.05
	$1,723.27	$1,964	$241.06
	$1,757.47	$2,011.28	$253.81
	$715.09	$802.59	$87.50
	$2,159.01	$2,578.68	$419.67

This table is accurate as of January 2025.

Sharing car insurance with another person

Allowing someone else to drive your car is fine but there are a few things you should be aware of.

If they're a listed driver: If you've already listed this person as an additional driver on your insurance policy, then you've got nothing to worry about. If they're a listed driver then you're technically already sharing your car insurance with them.

If they're not a listed driver: If the person who's driving your car is not listed on your car insurance policy then you may have to pay an unlisted driver excess. This cost varies hugely between insurers but can typically be in the ballpark of $600 - $3,000. It will be higher if the driver is under 25 years old.

Adding a driver to your car insurance policy, short term

It's possible to add a driver to your car insurance policy, even if you only want them there for a limited time. You'd follow the same steps as adding a regular driver and when you no longer want them on the policy, you'd call to remove them. If you've already paid a higher premium in advance, then you'll likely receive a refund.

Does car insurance cover other drivers?

Car insurance can cover other drivers who drive your car. There are two ways for this to happen:

1. You list them as an additional driver on your policy and they'll be covered.
2. You don't list them and then if they happen to have an accident, you pay an unlisted driver excess. This is typically between $600 - $3,000 on top of your normal excess.

How car insurers deal with other drivers

Brand	Conditions
	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.
	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, for example, 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.
	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 has a driver specific excess for unlisted drivers and young drivers, regardless of whether they are a regular or listed driver.
	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 ($600), aged 21 to 24 ($500), have not held an Australian licence for at least 2 years ($500) and are not listed on the policy ($600).
	If the driver is 25 years or over but has held their driver's licence for less than 2 years and are listed on insurance, the excess is $400. If they are not listed, the inexperienced driver excess is $1,400.
	An age excess of $600 applies for drivers under the age of 21. For drivers aged between 21 and 24, an excess of $500 applies. Drivers who have not held a full Australian licence for 2 or more years will need to pay an excess of $500. For any unlisted drivers, an excess of $600 will apply.
	There is an additional excess for an undeclared young driver under the age of 25 of $800. For drivers aged 21 and below 24, an age excess of $800 will apply. For drivers below 21, the age excess is $1,200.
	The unlisted driver excess changes based on the amount of the basic excess.
	An age excess of $1,000 applies for drivers under the age of 20, $750 for drivers 20-21 years of age and $500 for drivers aged 22-24. Inexperienced drivers who are 25 years or older but have been licensed for less than 2 years will pay an excess of $750.
	An age excess of $800 applies for drivers 21-24 years old. For drivers under 21, an excess of $1,200 applies. However, if the driver is a learner then the excess is $800. Inexperienced drivers (those aged 25 or over who have not held a valid licence for the last 2 years or longer) also have an excess of $800, however this excludes learners.
	An age excess of $600 applies for drivers under the age of 21. For drivers aged between 21 and 24, an excess of $500 applies. Drivers who have not held a full Australian licence for 2 or more years will need to pay an excess of $500. For any unlisted drivers, an excess of $600 will apply.

^{This is accurate as of January 2025}

Finder survey: How many Australians share their cars with other drivers?

What happens if a driver is not listed on your car insurance?

You will generally have to pay an additional excess if they are involved in an accident, which can be more than $2,000. Typically, there's also an age excess charge if they're under 25. You may have to pay a higher excess if the young driver wasn't listed on your policy.

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. But keep in mind, some insurers will charge you an additional excess regardless of whether they are listed or not.

Some will refuse to cover unlisted drivers altogether. So, it pays to know if this applies to you. Be sure to read your product disclosure statement (PDS) to be aware of any policy exclusions.

Does Compulsory Third Party (CTP) car insurance cover additional drivers?

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 premium
• By anyone driving your car without your permission, unless reported to the police

You should always check with your provider, or read your policy's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) as to how listed and unlisted drivers are taken into account.

Do I need to list everyone that drives my car?

If someone plans to use your car frequently, it's wise to add them to your insurance. That's so that if they ever get into an accident, you're not stuck paying a hefty unlisted driver excess.

Keep in mind, if the person you're looking at adding is the main driver of the car, then you have to add them to your policy - it's insurance fraud not to. You must be truthful about who the main driver of the car is.

But if they're not the main driver and just an additional driver, it's up to you if you wish to add them.

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Product	Finder Score	Roadside assistance	Accidental damage	Storm	Choice of repairer	Agreed or Market Value
Promoted Youi Comprehensive Best Rated Brand	Finder Score 8.5 Great				Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: A great value policy with exceptional customer service. Youi won the 2024 Finder Award for Customer Satisfaction. It scored highly for features and benefits, customer service and reliability. It also automatically includes roadside assistance in its price - a feature that typically costs upwards of $90 per year.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Promoted Coles Comprehensive Insurance Finder Award	Finder Score 9.1 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: Coles Comprehensive Car Insurance includes the benefits you’d expect, plus features like grocery replacement (up to $200 if damaged or stolen. T&C’s apply). You’ll also collect 2 Flybuys points for every $1 you spend at Coles when you link your Flybuys (max cap, exclusions and eligible purchases apply). ⭐ Current offer: Collect 10,000 Flybuys Points when you take out a new Coles Comprehensive Car Insurance policy and link your Flybuys account. Offer ends 30 April 2025. Plus, save 15% on your first year’s premium when you buy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: Those who want great quality cover and more rewards with Flybuys.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Promoted Budget Direct Comprehensive	Finder Score 9.1 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: The 2024 winner of our Best Value Car Insurance award. It's cheaper than most, plus you can lower costs by adding age restrictions. ⭐ Current offer: 15% off your first year's premium when you take out a policy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: Anyone who wants a good value policy.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas Comprehensive	Finder Score 9.1 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: You need car insurance so why not get one that lets you earn Qantas Points? It's good value too (it's underwritten by the same insurer as Budget Direct). ⭐ Current offer: Earn up to 40,000 Qantas Points with every car insured by 28 May. Plus save 15% on your 1st year’s premium when you purchase online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: People who want more bang for their buck with Qantas Points.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
QBE Comprehensive Green Company	Finder Score 5.9 Standard				Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: Finder's best-rated Car Insurer for Customer Satisfaction in 2021/2022 and Green Insurer for the last 3 years. ⭐ Current offer: Save $75 when you purchase a new comprehensive policy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: Those who want a trustworthy insurer and more cover than other brands, such as 3-year new car replacement (e.g. they'll give you money for a new car for up to 3 years if yours is written off).	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Huddle Black Comprehensive	Finder Score 8 Great					Agreed or Market	Summary: This goes further than most insurers. You get up to 2k for stolen keys, roadside assistance and rental car excess cover (for car rentals in Australia). Who it might be good for: Those who want top cover for their car.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bingle Comprehensive Finder Award	Finder Score 8.9 Great					Market	Summary: Our data shows it’s the cheapest comprehensive policy. It just covers the basics such as damage to your car, theft and storms – it doesn’t go in for add-ons and extras. Who it might be good for: Those wanting a low-cost, no-frills policy.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Huddle Comprehensive	Finder Score 8 Great	Optional				Agreed or Market	Summary: Huddle's comprehensive policy will cover you if your vehicle is damaged or lost as a result of a collision, a natural event, a malicious act, theft or fire. It also includes up to $500 for essential repairs. Who it might be good for: Someone who drives less than 15,000 km a year can opt for Pay As You Drive cover.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Real Comprehensive	Finder Score 8 Great	Optional				Agreed	Summary: Real Comprehensive Car Insurance provides similar coverage to other insurers for the important stuff like looking after your car if it's stolen or you crash. It's also one of the few insurers who offer a Pay As You Drive policy, so you might be able to save big if you don't drive much. Who it might be good for: Those that don't drive much can take advantage of its Pay As You Drive policy.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Australian Seniors Comprehensive	Finder Score	Optional				Agreed	Finder’s summary: Australian Seniors’ comprehensive policy includes complimentary hire car for a stolen car, up to $1,000 for a damaged trailer or caravan, up to $500 for emergency travel and accommodation cover. ⭐ Current offers: Save 5% on your first year's car insurance premium by holding a valid Seniors Card. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: People over 50 years old looking for flexible cover options.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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FAQs

• Does adding a listed driver increase the cost?

  Most likely. The increase will depend on the driver history and risk profile of who you're adding.

• Does comprehensive insurance cover all drivers?

  Typically, all drivers of the vehicle can be covered but if the driver who was in an accident isn't listed on the policy then the insurer can insist that you pay an unlisted driver excess. This amount will be disclosed in the product disclosure statement (PDS).

• Is it cheaper to add a new driver as a named driver?

  It can be cheaper to add a new or younger driver to your policy, rather than them taking out one of their own. However, this is only okay to do if you are the main driver of the car and the new driver will drive the car less often than you. That is to say, you can't pretend an older or more experienced driver is the main driver just to save money. If the new driver is the main driver of the car, you must disclose this. Not disclosing this is considered insurance fraud.

• What is the difference between main driver and additional driver?

  The main driver is the person who drives the car the most. The additional driver is the person who also drives the car, but less frequently than the main driver.

Written by

Peta Taylor

Publisher of Insurance

Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio