One in six young drivers admit to ‘fronting’

• Fronting is a form of insurance fraud where the named driver is actually the main driver of the vehicle
• Fronting is illegal, and is a form of insurance fraud, which can lead to serious penalties
• Aviva is committed to educating young drivers to ensure they are adequately protected

Research by Aviva involving more than 2,000 young drivers (aged 17-25) has found that one in six (17%) admit to being on a ‘fronted’ policy. Fronting is a form of insurance fraud where the young driver is listed as a named driver on their parents’ policy, despite being the main driver of the car.   

The research showed that whilst most young drivers are honest when they apply for insurance, just over one-third (35%) thought that “lying on my car insurance application is a victimless crime.”¹

This may be because young drivers don’t understand the issues associated with driving without adequate insurance. Just half (51%) of young drivers realised they could face a driving ban for driving without adequate insurance, while 45% understood that their car can also be seized by the police as a result. Only one-third (35%) knew that they could be forced to pay an unlimited fine¹. These are all serious consequences, and they could all apply to someone who is driving without adequate insurance.

1. Be honest about the main driver: always accurately list the main driver of the vehicle on the insurance policy. 

2. Understand the consequences: be aware of the legal and financial repercussions of fronting. This includes potential fines, driving bans, and having your car seized.

3. Explore legal ways to reduce costs:

• Telematics: some insurers, including Aviva’s QuoteMeHappy Connect brand, offer telematics policies that monitor driving and offer reduced premiums for driving safely.
• Multi car insurance: this allows young drivers to add their car to the same policy as others (such as their parent’s) that are registered at the same address, while allowing the policyholder to shape the insurance for each vehicle with different cover levels, excesses and add-ons. Aviva’s multi car cover offers a 10% discount for each vehicle added to the policy. 

4. Buy insurance from a registered company: don’t be tempted to buy insurance through someone on social media as this is frequently a scam known as ghost broking. Find a reputable insurance company or broker via the British Insurance Brokers’ Association or the Association of British Insurers.

Insurance premiums are determined by the risk profile of the main driver, so it’s important for insurers to know who that person is, including their age, claims history, address, etc. Providing accurate information helps ensure that the driver’s policy is valid. Misrepresenting details about the driver’s age, claims history, etc., as well as driving on a fronted policy, can lead to the policy being invalidated, as these actions breach the policy terms and conditions and are considered both fraudulent and illegal.

In addition to the above penalties, drivers found with a fronted insurance policy, or one where key details have been misrepresented, could also face court appearances, having their car crushed and having claims declined. 

Katriona Cunningham, Underwriting Fraud Lead at Aviva, said, "Fronting is a serious issue that not only constitutes insurance fraud but also puts young drivers at significant risk. Our research highlights a concerning trend where a notable percentage of young drivers are engaging in this practice.

“While it may be tempting for a few young drivers to try to be clever with the truth, it’s important that they understand the consequences of driving without adequate insurance. At Aviva, we are committed to educating young drivers to ensure they are adequately protected.

“We urge parents to have open conversations with their young driver about the importance of providing accurate information when applying for car insurance. By doing so, they can help their children avoid the serious legal and financial repercussions associated with fronting and ensure they are driving safely and legally"

Ends

^{1. The research was conducted by Censuswide with 2,000 drivers aged 17-25, between 9.10.2024 - 14.10.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.}

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