Secondary Driver Car Insurance (not named as main driver car insurance)
Sharing a car? You should always consider secondary driver insurance because you will be protected in Thailand no matter the situation.
What Is a Secondary Driver Car Insurance?
Most of the time, you’ll have multiple people driving your car and want to add another person to your car insurance policy, whether it’s your spouse who drives your car occasionally or your child who just got their driver’s licence. This other person is referred to as a secondary driver. Adding a secondary driver can be beneficial in a variety of ways. For example, if your spouse is involved in an accident but isn’t listed as a secondary driver on your car insurance policy, your claim may be denied.
Key Points:
- Adding a secondary driver is a good way to protect others who frequently drives your car.
- Secondary drivers can enjoy the same coverage as primary drivers or policyholders.
- You should add those who reside in your household, have a driver’s license, and frequently uses your car.
What Does Secondary Driver Insurance Cover?
The same coverage is available to secondary drivers as it is to primary drivers or policyholders. When you list secondary drivers, you’re extending your car’s coverage to them. This means that if you have comprehensive car insurance, your secondary drivers will be covered by the same policy. However, in some cases, the secondary driver’s cover isn’t identical to the primary driver’s. As a result, double-check the policy’s wording for limitations and exceptions.
Who Should Be Added As a Secondary Driver?
Not everyone can be added as a secondary driver, however, every insurance company is different about the rules, so it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to be absolutely sure. In general, most insurance companies encourage you to add people to your car insurance if they:
- Reside in your household.
- Have a driver’s license.
- Have regular access to your car.
This could include your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, and any children who are of driving age. Some insurance companies will let you add people who use your car frequently but do not live with this could include a home healthcare worker, a nanny, or anyone who uses your car on a regular basis despite having a different address than you.
Secondary drivers pay a lower rate for the same coverage as primary drivers.
What to Consider When Adding a Secondary Driver
There are several things you need to consider before adding secondary drivers to your car insurance policies. These include:
- You should only add someone as a secondary driver if they frequently use your car. Remember, insurance companies can always do an investigation and deny your claim if you are found out to be lying.
- Insurance providers will reject claims if a driver lied about the risk level for the policy in question. Adding the right people to your list protects you from this risk by providing a straightforward picture of the level of risk associated with your policy.
- Secondary driver car insurance is not a way for a younger driver to get a cheaper insurance policy. Insurance companies weigh both the main driver and the number of cars in the household when calculating premiums. They also take into account the number of drivers in the household.
Adding secondary drivers does impact your premium rates, but it may actually help you save money.
Does Adding a Secondary Driver Have an Impact on My Premium?
Adding a secondary driver will have an impact on your premium, though it doesn’t always mean that it will raise them. In fact, adding a secondary driver can actually bring the costs of your car insurance down. For example, if you are considered relatively risky because of your age, and you add your spouse who has a clean driving record as your secondary driver, your premiums may become cheaper. On the other hand, if you add a second driver who is seen riskier by your insurance company, the premium rates may go up – for instance, adding teenage drivers who just get their driver’s license.
This is because most insurance companies set rates based on the likelihood that your car will be involved in an accident. Since teens are the most likely to get into a car accident, adding them to your policy might raise the premium.