You just can’t avoid car insurance. You’re legally obliged to have it, but in the event of needing to make an accident claim or, more importantly, having one made against you, you’ll be very glad you have it. However, younger drivers have a tough time even finding car insurance, never mind affording it. If that sounds familiar, don’t be tempted to break the law to save a bit of cash. If there is ever an accident claim, you might very well regret it.

Under half of the major car insurance providers in the UK offer insurance for teenage drivers. Amongst those that do, it is common to see quotes as high as £4,000 which is often significantly more than the car is even worth. Male teenage drivers have the priciest premiums because female teenagers are statistically more careful and those that do make an accident claim tend to have lower value claims.

Statistics support the insurance companies’ assumptions that teenage drivers are likely to have an accident claim made against them. In this age group, drivers are ten time more likely to kill or injure someone than drivers with experience. But in trying to beat the insurance companies and drive down costs, some parents act illegally.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau estimates that around a fifth of teenage drivers have no cover at all. Many more do what is known as ‘fronting.’ This is when parents claim to be the main driver of a car and name their child as another driver when in fact the child is the main driver. For some it is a harmless way of saving a bit of cash. It is illegal.

If an accident claim is made and the insurance company suspects that the teenager was the main driver, there can be serious consequences. Both parents and teenagers can be prosecuted and may struggle to get insurance again in the future. Insurers can also refuse to pay out some or all of the accident claim settlement.

Surveys seem to suggest that people think ‘fronting’ is harmless and that it is common practice. However, saving money, however much, is not worth the risk of prosecution or of having to pay for an entire accident claim settlement when the insurers refuse to.

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