Here at RAW2K, we have a long history of running some of the UK’s most popular online car auctions, which means we’re one of the go-to places for lots of young drivers looking for a cheap second-hand motor to kickstart their journey on the roads. Often, parents are there to lend a helping hand or word of advice, and maybe even some assistance with the cost of car insurance right off the bat.
But if you are a parent or a young driver, it’s important not to end up accidentally engaging in “fronting” – as many do, without realising they’re breaking the law! Basically, "fronting" is a term used to describe a scenario where an older, more experienced driver (often a parent) claims to be the main driver of a vehicle, while a younger, less experienced driver is actually the one using the car most frequently.
While initially it may seem like a harmless tactic to save money on insurance premiums, it comes with a host of dangers and potential consequences. Here are five of the biggest to watch out for!
1. Legal consequences
One of the most significant dangers of fronting is obviously the potential legal ramifications. Insurance policies require full transparency and honesty regarding the primary driver of a vehicle, because insurance is at heart a risk/reward calculation, and if they don’t have a good idea of the risk, they can’t make a fair assessment on how much they should be charging.
In other words, misrepresenting the primary driver's identity to secure lower premiums is basically insurance fraud, which is a serious offence. Accordingly, fronting can lead to hefty fines, legal penalties, and even criminal charges – whether or not it was done intentionally or not.
2. Voided insurance policies
Fronting jeopardises the validity of the insurance policy altogether. In the event of an accident or claim, insurance companies will always thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. If they uncover evidence of fronting, they have the right to void the policy entirely. This leaves both the policyholder and the actual driver without insurance coverage, exposing them both to significant financial risk. Without insurance protection, that can result in the danger of facing substantial costs for repairs, medical bills, and legal expenses.
3. Impact on future insurance
Engaging in fronting can have lasting consequences on future insurance opportunities. Insurance companies keep detailed records of the claims history of all policyholders, and any instances of fraud or misrepresentation. This kind of information is also shared between different insurance providers, so if an existing insurer deems you guilty of fronting, then not only does it make things incredibly difficult with your existing provider, but it also makes it that much more challenging to obtain affordable coverage in the future. Even if they do manage to secure insurance, they may face exorbitant premiums even from other providers.
4. Financial instability
Fronting may offer short-term financial benefits in the form of lower insurance premiums, but everything we’ve covered so far incurs its own individual cost. They’re all significant enough on their own, but when considered all together, all the various penalties and consequential sums can lead to massive costs for young drivers, and the parents who are often supporting them.
All that to say: while fronting might save a few hundred in the short term, it could easily end up costing thousands in the medium to long-term. We were talking about risk / reward calculations earlier – and as we’re sure you don’t need us to tell you by now, this is one that really isn’t worth it.
So if fronting isn’t an option, what are some good ways to get the best prices on car insurance? Well, Scrap Car Network has a couple of good tips for you there! As for us though, we’ll stick with what we do best – providing you with a huge range of salvage cars to choose from in our online car auctions, including not just models from the likes of Ford and Volkswagen, but also other world-famous brands like Mercedes, Honda, and Peugeot. Our auctions are refreshed on a daily and weekly basis, so there are always bargains to be found. Why not take a look around, and see what you can find?
