Adding a driver to car insurance

Does car insurance cover other drivers?

Yes, but depending on your insurer, when it comes to making a claim, you may have to pay an additional excess for other drivers if they were behind the wheel.

While some insurers will cover anyone driving your car, others will charge you the excess. Plus, an extra age-based excess may apply if the additional driver is under 25, or over 25 but with less than 2 years' driving experience. This premium can cost more if you haven't nominated the driver on your policy.

In most cases, you'll need to list all drivers on your policy who regularly use the car. If you don't, you risk a reduction or refusal of a claim.

How car insurers deal with other drivers

Brand	Conditions
	Unless you list them on your policy, you will have to pay an additional excess on top of your standard excess for claims made for loss, damage, or liability by household members or regular drivers using your car. An unlisted household member or unlisted regular driver excess will be in the region of $1,950.
	There is an undeclared driver excess if the driver is under 25 and hasn't been declared as a driver. This also applies to inexperienced drivers, for example, anyone who has not held a driver's licence that is valid in Australia for more than 2 consecutive years. It comes with an excess of $800. Excesses for drivers aged 21 to 24 are $1,600 and $2,000 for drivers under 21.
	Additional drivers under the age of 21 will have to pay a $600 excess and drivers aged 21 to 24 will need to pay $500 in the event of a claim. Drivers who haven't held a full Australian licence for at least 2 years will have to pay $500, while unlisted will pay $600.
	Youi has a driver specific excess for unlisted drivers and young drivers, regardless of whether they are a regular or listed driver.
	Additional excesses apply when the car is driven by a person who is not excluded but who is not listed as an additional driver. They also apply if they are under 21 ($600), aged 21 to 24 ($500), have not held an Australian licence for at least 2 years ($500) and are not listed on the policy ($600).
	If the driver is 25 years or over but has held their driver's licence for less than 2 years and are listed on insurance, the excess is $400. If they are not listed, the inexperienced driver excess is $1,400.
	There is an inexperienced driver excess of $400 (for drivers in NSW, ACT, Victoria, Queensland, NT) and $300 (for drivers in WA, SA, Tasmania) which applies when the driver of the car has not held an Australian driver's licence for more than 2 years and is 25 or older. There is also an age excess which is $800 for those under the age of 21 and $450 for those between 21 and 24 years of age.
	There is an additional excess for an undeclared young driver under the age of 25 of $800. For drivers aged 21 and below 24, an age excess of $800 will apply. For drivers below 21, the age excess is $1,200.
	he unlisted driver excess changes based on the amount of the basic excess.
	An age excess of $1,000 applies for drivers under the age of 20, $750 for drivers 20-21 years of age and $500 for drivers aged 22-24. Inexperienced drivers who are 25 years or older but have been licensed for less than 2 years will pay an excess of $750.
	An age excess of $800 applies for drivers 21-24 years old. For drivers under 21, an excess of $1,200 applies. However, if the driver is a learner then the excess is $800. Inexperienced drivers (those aged 25 or over who have not held a valid licence for the last 2 years or longer) also have an excess of $800, however this excludes learners.
	An age excess of $600 applies for drivers under the age of 21. For drivers aged between 21 and 24, an excess of $500 applies. Drivers who have not held a full Australian licence for 2 or more years will need to pay an excess of $500. For any unlisted drivers, an excess of $600 will apply.

^{This is accurate as of February 2024}

Finder survey: How many Australians share their cars with other drivers?

What happens if a driver is not listed on your car insurance?

You will generally have to pay an additional excess if they are involved in an accident, which can be more than $2,000. Typically, there's also an age excess charge if they're under 25. You may have to pay a higher excess if the young driver wasn't listed on your policy.

If someone plans to use your car regularly, then the best option is to list them as an additional driver; that way, you don't need to worry about the huge excess. But keep in mind, some insurers will charge you an additional excess regardless of whether they are listed or not.

Some will refuse to cover unlisted drivers altogether. So, it pays to know if this applies to you. Be sure to read your product disclosure statement (PDS) to be aware of any policy exclusions.

Does Compulsory Third Party (CTP) car insurance cover additional drivers?

While CTP car insurance provides protection regardless of who is driving your car, some will only cover the drivers nominated on your policy. Some unlisted driver exclusions include no cover for damage, loss or liability arising out of the use of your car:

• By any household member not listed on your car insurance certificate
• If your car has an age restriction to help reduce your premium
• By anyone driving your car without your permission, unless reported to the police

You should always check with your provider, or read your policy's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) as to how listed and unlisted drivers are taken into account.

Do I need to list everyone that drives my car?

If someone plans to use your car frequently, you should list them on your insurance. It's also a good idea to list all household members, provided they plan to use the car, as car insurers might exclude unlisted drivers outright. The only time it's not worth listing someone on your car is if they rarely use it.

The easiest way to avoid unwanted additional excesses or a claim refusal, is not to let any unlisted person drive your car. However, if you live with someone who shares the car, it's probably worth listing them on your cover. You'll pay more but it provides them with the same services and protection as you. It could also save you heaps in the long run.

Keep in mind that you can't put a car insurance policy in your name if someone else is the main driver. This is called car insurance fronting, and it's illegal.

How do I add an additional driver to my car insurance?

If you already have a policy, you can phone your car insurance provider and ask to have an additional driver added to your policy. The insurer will usually be able to add them on straight away. Your premium will go up, especially if they're a younger or less experienced driver.

Alternatively, you can compare car insurance providers for a deal that works best for you. When you're filling out an application, you'll have the option of adding an additional driver to your policy. All you need to do is add their details and the insurer will calculate your premium.

Compare car insurance policies now

1 - 9 of 25

Product FCI	Finder Score	Roadside assistance	Accidental damage	Storm	Choice of repairer	Agreed or Market Value
Promoted Youi Comprehensive Finder Award	Finder Score 8.5 Great				Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: One of the only insurers to automatically include roadside assistance. It also won 12 out of the 22 categories in Finder's 2024 customer satisfaction awards. Winner of 12 out of the 22 categories in Finder's 2024 customer satisfaction awards. Yes, that many.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles Comprehensive Insurance	Finder Score 9.1 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: Coles Comprehensive Car Insurance includes the benefits you’d expect, plus features like grocery replacement (up to $200 if damaged or stolen. T&C’s apply). You’ll also collect 2 Flybuys points for every $1 you spend at Coles when you link your Flybuys (max cap, exclusions and eligible purchases apply). ⭐ Current offer: Get $50 off one Coles shop when you take out a new Coles Car Insurance policy and link your Flybuys account. Offer ends 30 November 2024. Plus, save 15% on your first year’s premium when you buy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: Those who want great quality cover and more rewards with Flybuys.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Budget Direct Comprehensive Finder Award	Finder Score 9.1 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: The 2024 winner of our Best Value Car Insurance award. It's cheaper than most, plus you can lower costs by adding age restrictions. ⭐ Current offer: 15% off your first year's premium when you take out a policy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: Anyone who wants a good value policy.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas Comprehensive	Finder Score 9.1 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: You need car insurance so why not get one that lets you earn Qantas Points? It's good value too (it's underwritten by the same insurer as Budget Direct). ⭐ Current offer: Earn up to 40,000 Qantas Points with every car insured by 29 January. Plus save 15% on your 1st year’s premium when you purchase online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: People who want more bang for their buck with Qantas Points.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Youi Comprehensive Finder Award	Finder Score 8.5 Great				Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: One of the only insurers to automatically include roadside assistance. It also won 12 out of the 22 categories in Finder's 2024 customer satisfaction awards. Winner of 12 out of the 22 categories in Finder's 2024 customer satisfaction awards. Yes, that many.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ALDI Comprehensive	Finder Score 8.5 Great					Agreed	Summary: ALDI's comprehensive insurance policy covers your car for an agreed value and a variety of policy benefits. Who it might be good for: Ideal for those seeking competitive coverage limits, though other products may have higher limits.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Huddle Black Comprehensive	Finder Score 8 Great					Agreed or Market	Summary: This goes further than most insurers. You get up to 2k for stolen keys, roadside assistance and rental car excess cover (for car rentals in Australia). Who it might be good for: Those who want top cover for their car.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
QBE Comprehensive Green Company	Finder Score 5.9 Standard				Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: Finder's best-rated Car Insurer for Customer Satisfaction in 2021/2022 and Green Insurer for the last 3 years. ⭐ Current offer: Save $75 when you purchase a new comprehensive policy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: Those who want a trustworthy insurer and more cover than other brands, such as 3-year new car replacement (e.g. they'll give you money for a new car for up to 3 years if yours is written off).	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ROLLiN' Comprehensive	Finder Score 9 Excellent					Agreed	Summary: One of the most cost-effective insurers for under 25s, according to Finder research, with no aged-based excess. ⭐ Current offer: Get 10% off the base premium for the first 2 consecutive monthly policies and up to a 15% potential monthly discount from your 3rd month for being a safer driver. Minimum premiums may apply. T&Cs apply. Learn More. Who it might be good for: Young drivers looking to keep costs down and anyone who’d like to get more flexibility from their car insurance.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Huddle Comprehensive	Finder Score 8 Great	Optional				Agreed or Market	Summary: Huddle's comprehensive policy will cover you if your vehicle is damaged or lost as a result of a collision, a natural event, a malicious act, theft or fire. It also includes up to $500 for essential repairs. Who it might be good for: Someone who drives less than 15,000 km a year can opt for Pay As You Drive cover.	Get QuoteView details Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

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