Recent data indicates that average car insurance quotes for 17 to 24-year-olds are approaching £3,000. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) cautions against "fronting," where individuals are falsely added as named drivers on a policy to save money.
Fronting is considered fraudulent, and the IFB emphasises that the associated risks are never worthwhile. If evidence of fronting is discovered, it could render the insurance policy invalid and result in criminal convictions.
Insuring younger drivers has traditionally been more expensive due to their inexperience and associated risks. Many young drivers are added as named drivers on their parents' policies, even if they are the primary car operators. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) notes that the main driver is the individual who drives the car the majority of the time.
Despite the rising costs, the IFB acknowledges the temptation for young people to engage in fronting to save money. However, it strongly advises against this practice. A survey by the IFB revealed that a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds would find it acceptable to lie on an insurance application to cut costs. Fronting, though, remains illegal.
The high costs of insurance for young drivers may be discouraging, as reflected in the decline in the number of driving tests taken by young people in recent years.
Concerns are raised about the possibility of people driving without insurance due to prohibitive costs. Some individuals express a desire for a system similar to Australia, where the car is insured rather than the person.
The IFB emphasises the consequences of fraudulent activities, including the potential seizure of vehicles, driving bans, fines, criminal convictions, and impacts on future job prospects.