Car insurance is necessary for every car owner, and the insurance covers most of the damage that a car might sustain. The driver insured is usually the policy owner himself. However, sometimes, it becomes essential for a family member or friend to use the vehicle.

In such a situation where someone other than the person insured is using the car frequently, it is safe to add that second driver into the existing car policy.

Although it might sound simple, adding a second driver requires a thorough process to be followed and a certain amount to be paid.

If you are looking for car insurance in Canada, visit this site. Their insurance experts will properly guide, advise, and provide you with the best price at which you can add a second driver to your existing insurance.

So, how much does it cost to add a driver to car insurance?

Secondary Driver Insurance Policy

Apart from the primary driver, it becomes quite necessary for a different person (who is a licensed driver) to use the car. This individual can be a family member, a relative, or even a friend or workmate.

A secondary driver is very advantageous and provides the ease and efficiency required in different situations where the primary driver is unavailable or unable to drive the vehicle. Such frequent usage requires the secondary driver to be added to the existing car policy and get covered by the insurance.

Policy Sharing Vs. Driver Adding

Adding a secondary driver is not the same as sharing your insurance policy. Policy sharing refers to one or more vehicles being insured by a specific policy shared with someone else.

However, adding a secondary driver means that the listed driver is completely insured along with the primary driver in case any accident occurs.

The Expense Of Adding A Second Driver

How much does it cost to add a driver to car insurance? Adding a secondary driver to the existing insurance policy requires a rigorous process and a certain expense. The expense of the policy coverage depends on several factors, such as:

• Area Postal Code
• The Vehicle
• Record of the vehicle, which includes factors like any previous insurance claims, driving history, etc.
• A thorough background check of the secondary driver, including inquiring about the history of any car insurance claims, traffic violations, past traffic crime records, and the basics like license and driver’s age. In such a case, certain documents will be necessary to produce.

The Process And The Extent Of Coverage

Applying for the addition of a secondary driver to the current insurance policy is very simple. You have to call up the insurance company or go online to the insurance company’s website and add a new driver to the policy.

The addition of a new driver will increase the charge. Essential information about the driver will be required, like their name, age, marital status, date of birth, address, occupation, license, vehicle identification number (VIN), and motor vehicle records.

The extent of coverage is the same as the primary driver and/or policy owner. The second driver receives all kinds of coverage if any accident takes place.

Some of the basic coverage that the second driver receives are:

• Third-Party Coverage: This is the minimum coverage that the law requires. It includes coverage to a third-party vehicle, person, and property.
• Fire and Theft Coverage: This includes coverage for any accidental fire that damages the car or coverage in case of theft.

Ways To Make Secondary Driver Insurance Cheaper

The second driver addition to the current policy increases the premium charge. There are a few ways you can attempt to get a discount.

• Age plays a vital role in the expense of the policy. New drivers who have a fresh license and are young are usually labeled as risky by many insurers. The situation is just the opposite for middle-aged people who have a fair share of experience driving, provided that their history is clean.
• A young driver fresh out of a good driving school with very good performance is likely to get a discount from some companies.
• Companies sometimes provide discounts where more than one car is insured under one policy.

Upsides And Downsides Of A Second Driver In Your Car Insurance

There are many advantages and disadvantages of adding a secondary driver to your car insurance policy. Some key facts are listed below:

• An experienced driver can bring about a drop in price in the premium charges.
• The use of telematics technology is highly beneficial. A GPS-enabled black box telematics device can send direct feedback to the insurer, and the driving performance can be recorded and tracked. Good performances might be rewarded with lower prices or bonuses.
• Thorough and proper paperwork is mandatory in these circumstances. There should be a clear understanding of the names of the primary and secondary drivers. Any mistakes and confusion might lead to fronting. Fronting is illegal and might put your insurance at risk, and some companies might even take legal action against it.
• Drivers with a learner’s permit are often rejected as secondary drivers by many companies.
• Despite how experienced the secondary driver is, the no-claim bonus of the insurance policy is always in jeopardy. Minor mistakes like certain minute traffic violations and speeding can strip you of the no-claim bonus in the blink of an eye. The insurance companies are usually very strict about it.

Endnote

If you have been wondering, “how much does it cost to add a driver to car insurance,” now you have the necessary information.

A secondary driver sometimes becomes a necessity. A family member, friend, or significant other taking good care and making great use of your car becomes beneficial in due course of time.

Keeping certain factors in mind and using the policy the right way can save you a lot of money.