Can two people insure the same car?

In short, two people can insure the same car. It's not illegal. You might do this if you co-own a car or if you're learning to drive. But there are other ways to insure a couple of drivers on the same car that could be more cost effective, and less of an admin headache. Here's what you need to know.

Can two people insure the same car in the UK?

Yes, two people can insure the same car in the UK. Here's some circumstances where that might happen:

• If you're a learner driver - you might want to buy your own learner driver insurance so you don't affect the no claims bonus of the person's car you're learning in.
• If the car has different owners - If two people own a car and you both need insurance for it, you might buy separate insurance policies. You might do this if you use the car for different types of driving. For example if one person uses the car for social activities and the other person uses it for commuting.
• Driving other cars cover - Some comprehensive car insurance policies mean you're covered to drive other people's cars. But the cover is often limited to third-party only. You might want to buy a car insurance policy for someone else's car so you have more coverage.

But there are some other things to think about if two people are insuring the same car. For example, if you need to make a claim, you won't get a payout from both policies. If you try and do this, you'll be committing fraud. The Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) keep a track of all claims to stop this type of fraud happening. 

Also, the monthly or annual costs of both policies might be more expensive than adding a named driver or getting a temporary insurance policy.

What are the alternatives to two people insuring the same car?

You've got a few different options:

Joint insurance or adding a named driver

You can add main and named drivers to your car insurance. This is sometimes known as joint insurance. It's a good option for families, couples or people who co-own vehicles. If they're experienced it might even bring your car insurance cost down.

The main driver should only be the person who does most of the driving. Everyone else listed is legally allowed to drive the car.  

Temporary car insurance

If you're only looking to use a car for a short time, temporary car insurance might be a good option. It could certainly work for learners, because you can get a policy that lasts from an hour up to 28 days. If you're lending your car to someone and something happens to the car, your no claims bonus won't be affected either.

Can a person have two insurance policies on one car?

Yes, it's not illegal. But it's usually a mistake because having two car insurance policies for one car is costly. As we mentioned, having two policies on one car doesn't mean you've got double the cover, it just means you're paying twice to insure the same car. 

Why would someone want two insurance policies on one car?

As we explained, you might have two policies on one car because two people share ownership or you want to use the car for different things. But if one person has two policies on a single car, it's probably an accident.

This might happen because you've bought car insurance and your old policy has auto-renewed without you knowing. Just be aware that some insurers automatically renew unless you specifically ask your insurer not to.

You might also risk double insuring or overlapping your policies. This is when you buy two policies that cover the same thing. For example, if you don't realise you have breakdown cover included in your policy and you end up buying it again as an extra add on. 

Are there any risks or benefits to insuring a car twice?

There aren't really any benefits if one person is insuring a car twice. It costs more money and it puts you more at risk of committing fraud if you end up claiming two times.

Again, there might be some benefits if two people are insuring the same car. You might be able to get a cheaper policy if you both use the car for different things. Or if you share the car and live in different areas which have different crime rates.

It's worth remembering though, that if you have two or more policies on the same car, it's only the person that's driving that can claim. And it'll be on their own policy.

If someone is learning to drive in your car, you might find that they're better off with their own policy. Usually temporary car insurance is good for this, because you can pay for as long as you need. It doesn't affect the main drivers' no claims bonus either. Adding them as a named driver can work too, but it could increase the cost of your policy overall as they have little to no driving experience.

If you've both been driving for a while, you might also save some cash if you look at joint insurance or adding someone as a named driver. Sometimes adding an experienced driver can reduce your premiums. But you should always list the person who drives the car the most as the main driver, otherwise you could be guilty of fronting.

Can a person have two car insurance policies on two different cars?

Yes, a person can have two car insurance policies for two different cars. You might opt for this if:

• You've got a classic car or performance car as well as a standard car- these types of cars might need a more bespoke car insurance policy.
• One of your cars is more expensive to insure - cars are often lumped into different car insurance groups. They range from 1-50, with 50 being the most expensive to insure.
• If a high-risk driver wants to use one of your cars - for example, a young or inexperienced driver.

If your cars are pretty standard (not performance or classic cars), then it might be worth looking at a multi-car policy. You could save money with all your cars insured on one policy. Plus you'll only have one renewal date to remember. Hooray for less admin.

What happens if you accidentally insure a car twice?

Quite simply, you'll have two policies and you'll have to pay for both. This might happen if you've bought a new policy and your old policy has auto-renewed without you realising.

Can I get a refund if I have two policies on one car?

Yes, you can usually get a refund if you've unintentionally got two policies on one car. You have a 14-day cooling off period after your policy renews where you can usually cancel without a charge. Though some insurers might charge an admin fee.

If you don't realise until after the 14 days, you might have to pay a cancellation fee to end one of your policies. If you're paying for your insurance by direct debit, your insurer should cancel your payment and refund you any months you haven't used. If you've paid annually, your insurer should refund the cost of your insurance, minus any months you've already used.

You can read our guide on cancelling your car insurance for more information.

Can my son or daughter have their own insurance on my car?

Yes, your son or daughter can have their own insurance on your car as long as they have a provisional licence and are over the age of 17. If they're learning they'll have to be accompanied by someone who's had their licence for over 3 years and is over the age of 21.

If they've passed, they can either buy a car insurance policy for your car or you can add them as a named driver to your insurance. If they're younger, it might be a better option for them to get their own policy or go for temporary insurance. This is because they're more risk and could increase your car insurance cost if you're adding them as a named driver.

If they're an experienced driver, it could be cheaper to add them to your insurance as a named driver. 

Can you be the main driver on two car insurance policies?

Yes, you can be the main driver on 2 cars. But you have to be the one that's doing most of the driving. If someone else is doing the majority of the driving you'll be committing an offence known as fronting.