Fronting’ Insurance For Children
Insurance fronting describes the process by which somebody purchases insurance in their own name on behalf of someone else who will be a named driver on the policy. By any standard, insurance fronting is illegal.
A typical example of insurance fronting involves parents who purchase motor insurance policies in their name but which are to be used by their children. As an example, a policy taken out by Mr Smith for his son’s vehicle with Mr Smith as the main driver and his son as a named driver would constitute insurance fronting.
In the UK, insurance fronting is quite common as children may be subject to high premiums if they are young or novice drivers and parents endeavour to cut down their motoring costs.
According to figures released by Co-operative Insurance, 41 per cent of parents have fronted insurance for their children at one time or another. This astonishing figure suggests that either many parents are oblivious to the law or simply feel that inflated insurance premiums are worth avoiding.
Accident claims which involve insurance fronting are invalidated due to the fact that the insurance itself is invalid. Naturally, the relatively minor cost of insurance in the event of an accident, is nothing compared to the problems and expense that could result.
Criminal prosecutions could be brought against parents as well as their children facing driving bans if they are found to have been insurance fronting as this is fraud. Repair bills are another consideration, as is the fact that personal injury claims against insurers cannot be pursued.
According to the Co-operative, 57% of people who carried out insurance fronting were aware that it was illegal when they accepted their policies and 61% of people would consider doing it again after trying it in the past. In addition 33% of parents know at least 2 people who have committed the crime as well.
Chief Operating Officer of Co-operative Financial Services, Tim Franklin said: “The view that motor insurance fronting is harmless and doesn’t hurt anyone could not be further from the truth. Parents who believe they are helping their children to save money by fronting are not only risking prosecution, but harming their chances of obtaining insurance in the future”.