As the cost of living increases, many Canadians look for ways to help cut their monthly expenses. When a household has more than one licensed driver, designating the primary and secondary drivers should be done with some care and consideration. Unfortunately, there can sometimes be confusion about this. This article looks at what determines your auto policy’s primary and secondary drivers. We also explain factors you should consider when deciding on the primary drivers in your household.
What Is A Primary Driver?
Oftentimes, more than one person in your household can access your vehicle. Your insurance provider wants to know who will be driving it most and who else will be on the policy. That is why you will need to determine who the primary and secondary users are. The primary driver is the person who will use the vehicle the most. This is usually the owner, but it doesn’t have to be. They are normally the named insured on the policy. Essentially, your insurer wants to know which driver clocks the most kilometres. They will be considered the primary driver and listed first on the policy. Who is the primary driver on your auto policy can dramatically affect your auto insurance costs.
Who Is Considered A Secondary Driver?
Secondary drivers are people who use your vehicle regularly but less than the primary driver. They must be listed on your policy and may increase your premium.
A secondary driver, or occasional driver, is someone who uses a vehicle often, but doesn’t use it the most. These drivers also need to be on your insurance policy for that vehicle. Your insurance company will also look at the secondary drivers’ driving records. Usually, your insurer charges an additional premium for that driver. This happens because the risk of an accident increases when more than one person uses the vehicle. Normally, anyone in a household with a driver’s licence needs to be on the policy. Anyone else who will regularly operate your vehicle should be added, regardless of whether they live with you.
This includes friends, roommates, neighbours, nannies, siblings, or colleagues. They will also be named drivers on the policy. Typically, this means that they drive your vehicle once per week or less than 50% of the time.
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How Do Primary And Secondary Drivers Differ In Car Insurance?
The primary and secondary drivers refer more to the driver’s status in the policy. Both primary and secondary drivers will receive the same coverage in the policy. Defining the driver designations on your policy is about the premium amount paid. Primary drivers are examined more closely by insurers when determining rates. Of course, you will need to pay additional premiums when adding drivers to your policy. However, insurers calculate the cost using the same factors, regardless of how many drivers you have on the policy.
Factors That Determine Your Premiums
When giving a quote, insurers mainly look at the following:
- Driver age and experience
- Driving record and claims history
- Credit score
- Vehicle usage and mileage
- Occupation and homeownership
Secondary motorists can significantly affect costs. However, the additional cost will be much less than if they were primary drivers on their own policy.
In fact, the secondary drivers can affect the premiums in several ways:
- You can save money by adding more mature motorists with experience to your policy, where the primary driver is a young person.
- The cost of including others may increase significantly when you add a teenager to your policy.
- The additional person’s effect on your premium may not be much if they have experience and a clean record. This might include an adult family member or friend.
Please read our complete guide to determining auto insurance rates.
What Is An Incidental Driver?
Your insurance policy states that you need to add a driver to your policy if they use the vehicle “regularly.” This means someone who drives the vehicle over a specific period. One-off scenarios of individuals borrowing your car fall into the category of incidental drivers. Some examples of this include:
- Relatives visiting from out of town who want to take in the sights.
- Neighbours who borrow your car annually while theirs is in the shop.
- Siblings running a one-time grocery errand because you’re sick.
- A friend who needs a truck to bring something back from the warehouse store.
- Someone is taking a shift behind the wheel on a road trip.
What Happens When A Secondary Driver Gets Into An Accident?
In most cases, if you permit someone to drive your car and they are involved in an accident, your insurance will likely cover the costs. That’s because your policy will be the primary insurance, whether or not you’re in the car with them at the time. They will be asked to show proof of their auto insurance.
Remember: Insurance follows the car. Even if the other driver has their own insurance, your policy will still be first in line to pay the claim. Therefore, you might have to pay for any damages to the car itself and the deductible on the claim. You could also be risking your good driving record and claims history. All of this could cause your car insurance rates to increase on your next renewal. Being a good friend is important, but protecting your good driving record should be just as important.
Can You Be The Primary Driver Of Multiple Cars In Ontario?
Now that you can distinguish between primary, secondary, and incidental drivers, we can look at some unique circumstances encompassing your auto insurance policy. One of the most frequent questions by drivers is: “Can you be the primary driver of more than one vehicle in Ontario?” In short, yes, you can.
There are several reasons why drivers in Ontario choose to be the primary driver of more than one vehicle. Some typical examples include the following:
- Multi-vehicle/ Multi-purpose: A small compact car for everyday use, such as driving back and forth to work, a larger second vehicle, like an SUV, for family use, and finally, a sportier car, like a convertible, for recreational driving in the summer.
- Hobby or Second Income: Backyard mechanics who buy, fix, and sell cars.
- Savings: Being the primary driver of more than one vehicle gives you access to multi-vehicle discounts. Most, if not all, insurance companies will allow you to name one primary driver for two or more cars.
No matter your reasons for wanting to be the primary driver for more than one vehicle, the bottom line is that you can do so. However, the insurance company will want to know some specific details concerning all vehicles. This way, they can calculate risk based on how much time the vehicles will be in use. The more you drive your vehicle, the greater the risk you pose to the insurance company. This is where there can be significant variation in the cost of insuring multiple vehicles under a single primary driver.
What Is Car Insurance “Fronting?”
Fronting is the act of naming your child as a secondary driver on your policy when, in reality, your child is the one using the vehicle the most. Many parents do this, thinking it will help their child save on insurance, but car insurance fronting is illegal in Ontario. Car fronting is illegal and a form of insurance fraud.
In Canada, you can face criminal charges if caught lying or deceiving your auto insurance provider. You can even wind up serving anywhere from two to 14 years in prison! Furthermore, there’s also the criminal record you’ll now have, which will hold you back when applying for credit, jobs, housing, etc. If you are currently fronting your child’s car insurance, you should reach out to your provider to address and fix the issue.
In simple terms, the primary driver is the person who most often drives the insured vehicle. You do not have to own the car to be the primary driver. If you drive your elderly parents’ vehicle each day to run errands, you can list yourself as the primary driver on their car insurance policy.
Can You Receive Secondary Auto Insurance Without Being Added To A Policy?
You can purchase car insurance without joining someone else’s policy, but insurers do not classify this type of coverage as “occasional driver insurance.” If you want coverage without being part of another person’s policy, you should consider non-owner car insurance. If you borrow your neighbour’s car more frequently or regularly rent cars, non-owner car insurance may be more suitable for you. This option is a great alternative that allows you to insure yourself, rather than the vehicle you’re driving. That way, you’ll always have coverage, no matter what vehicle you find yourself in.
Primary And Secondary Drivers: Commonly Asked Questions
Who Is The Primary Driver On Car Insurance?
The primary driver is the person who drives a vehicle most often. Insurers usually list them first on the insurance policy, and they typically have the greatest impact on the premium.
Who Is Considered A Secondary Or Occasional Driver?
A secondary (or occasional) driver is someone who uses the insured vehicle regularly but less often than the primary driver. You must still list them on the policy, and they may affect your insurance premium.
Does The Primary Driver Have To Be The Vehicle Owner?
No. The primary driver does not need to be the vehicle’s owner. The person who drives the vehicle most determines the primary driver status.
Can One Person Be The Primary Driver Of More Than One Vehicle?
Yes. In Ontario, you can list one person as the primary driver for multiple vehicles as long as you provide the insurance company with accurate information about how each vehicle is used.
What Is An Incidental Driver?
An incidental driver is someone who occasionally drives your vehicle or does so in one-off situations. They do not need to be added to your policy unless they begin using the vehicle regularly.
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How Can Listing Drivers Correctly Help You Save on Auto Insurance?
Understanding the difference between primary, secondary, and incidental drivers can help you make smarter decisions about your auto insurance coverage and monthly costs. By accurately listing the person who drives your vehicle most often and adding all regular drivers to your policy, you can avoid costly mistakes, lower the chance of claim denials, and comply with Ontario insurance laws. Remember, if you have any questions regarding car insurance or your policy, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at isure today!
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