What is fronting in insurance?
Fronting is a type of car insurance fraud where a more experienced driver claims to be the main driver of a car, when in fact they’re not. People do this as a way to get cheaper car insurance, often for their children.
Is fronting illegal?
Yes, car insurance fronting is illegal – it’s fraud. The consequences can be serious, and you could even end up with a criminal record.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says that in 2022, 72,600 dishonest motor insurance claims were detected, totalling a value of £1.1 billion.
Car insurance fraud is far from being a victimless crime. Insurance providers ultimately pass on the losses by increasing insurance premiums. This means that honest motorists end up paying more for their car insurance than they should have to.
Who is the main driver on car insurance?
The main driver on a car insurance policy should be the person who drives the car the most. This is usually the owner or registered keeper of the vehicle, but not necessarily.
Named drivers should be those who use the car less than the nominated main driver.
For example, if you use the car every day for commuting or running errands, and your child only borrows it over the weekend, you’ll be the main driver and they’ll be a named driver on your policy.
Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?
Insurance is more expensive for young drivers because they’re at a much higher risk of having an accident than older drivers.
According to road safety charity Brake, more than 1,500 young drivers are killed or seriously injured on UK roads every year. And one in five young drivers crashes within a year of taking their test.
Statistics indicate that young drivers are more likely to take dangerous risks such as speeding and overtaking. And their inexperience means they’re less able to identify hazards on the road.
Unfortunately, even careful drivers under 25 may find that their age can go against them when it comes to the cost of car insurance.
Our figures show that 51% of drivers between the age of 17-24 could achieve a quote of £1,340[1] compared with £369[2] for drivers over 50.
[1] 51% of young drivers between 17-24 years old could achieve a quote of up to £1339.58 for their car insurance based on Compare the Market data in June 2026.
[2] 51% of over 50s could achieve a quote of up to £368.93 for their car insurance based on Compare the Market data in June 2026.
Why does fronting happen?
Some people deliberately lie to their insurance provider to save money.
Driving can be pretty expensive when you first start out. That’s why fronting is most common among young drivers trying to keep the costs of their car insurance down.
They’re added as a named driver to a policy (usually their parents’) when they’re actually the main driver or owner of the car.
But there are also a lot of people out there committing car insurance fraud without even realising it. They’re unwittingly fronting because they don’t understand who the actual main driver is.
How can I avoid unintentional fronting?
It’s quite simple. Just answer all questions honestly in your search for insurance and make sure the main driver named on the policy is the one who drives the car the most.
How is car insurance fronting detected?
Car insurance fronting will most likely be discovered when you make a claim. If the named driver was behind the wheel at the time of the incident, your insurance provider will want to know exactly what happened. If they suspect fronting, they may decide to investigate further.
This will usually involve them interviewing both the main driver and the named drivers on the policy. They may also refer to motoring databases and look at CCTV footage for proof of fronting.
If your insurance provider concludes that fronting did happen, they could refuse to pay out for your claim. They may even decide to cancel your policy altogether.
Fronting can have other consequences too:
Repayment of any costs incurred by your insurance provider
More expensive premiums in the future
Potential refusal by insurance providers to insure you
Prosecution for car insurance fraud.
Are there insurance fraud punishments in the UK?
Yes, there can be severe punishments for insurance fraud in the UK.
Car insurance fronting is a driving offence and a crime that could result in any of the following penalties:
A fine
Six points on your licence
A possible driving licence ban
If you’re taken to court, you could face time in prison
A criminal record that could affect other parts of your life, including your job.
A typical example of car insurance fraud:
A woman complained that her insurer cancelled her policy and accused her of fronting. It transpired that the car was actually owned by her son. So, The Financial Ombudsman Service ruled in the insurance provider’s favour.
The car insurance scam was discovered following an investigation after a serious accident that involved her son. The woman was contacted by the insurer as she was the policyholder and had stated she was the registered keeper. However, her son was the main driver of the car. The insurance provider said they would not have offered cover for her son, so they cancelled the policy as if it never existed.
How to reduce your car insurance quote legally
There’s no doubt that cheap young driver’s car insurance can be hard to find. But there are ways you could reduce your premium without breaking the law:
Get a black box or telematics insurance policy – it’s a popular option for new drivers
Take a Pass Plus Scheme qualification within a year of passing your test to potentially receive a discount – however, not all insurance providers offer this so double check
Buy a cheaper car to insure
Increase your car insurance voluntary excess – as long as you can afford to pay it if you need to make a claim
Add an older, more experienced named driver to your policy – just make sure they only drive the car occasionally
Avoid modifying your car.
Read more of our top tips for getting cheaper car insurance. Compare car insurance in minutes and see if you can start saving the right way.
FAQs
Why is fronting illegal?
Because fronting is a type of car insurance fraud. If you withhold information or lie to your insurance provider to get cheaper car insurance, you’re misrepresenting the facts and that is illegal.
Honesty is always the best policy. Not giving your insurance provider the full picture could end up costing you far more than a slap on the wrist and a cancelled insurance policy.
What if we share the driving 50/50?
If you share the driving equally with the main policyholder, you should talk to your insurance provider. They’ll be able to advise you on what you can do to ensure you’re properly covered and within the law.
Can I still get into trouble for fronting if I didn’t do it on purpose?
Yes, you can get into trouble for unintentional fronting. Ignorance is no excuse. If you have any doubts about whether you’re fronting or not, speak to your insurance provider.
Can I change the main driver on my insurance?
Yes, you can change the main driver on your car insurance. If, for example, you’re taking the car away to university, let your insurance provider know that you’ll be the main driver from then on. They’ll update the policy accordingly.
It will probably mean your premium shoots up, but better to pay more than find yourself in hot water for car insurance fraud.
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With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
