Insurance
Family car insurance guide
What are the options for covering the whole family to drive?
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 15/10/2025
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 15/10/2025
While there is no specific family car insurance policy, this term can be used to describe policies that cover multiple drivers of vehicles. This makes it easier for you to manage car insurance for the whole family as you will know exactly what each member is covered for.
These kinds of policies could even save you money, thanks to the number of discounts that may be available.
You can cover your family with the three levels of car insurance:
Comprehensive is not necessarily the most expensive policy. Get a range of quotes that suit your needs to find the most suitable policy for you and your family. Your insurer may also be able to offer add-ons to complement your insurance including motor legal protection and breakdown cover.
You need to ensure any family car insurance plan works for you, as well as your family. If you decide to go with a lower level of insurance, you might not have the level of coverage you need. Adding extra drivers to your policy could also potentially put up the price of your premium.
After getting a quote that covers your family’s car insurance, make sure you read all the details to ensure that it works for you and your loved ones. Amending a policy after purchasing can be time-consuming and expensive.
There are some options when it comes to arranging car insurance for the whole family.
You could consider a multi-car insurance policy. This is a convenient option if you are happy to have multiple cars at your home and want them all to be covered under one policy. You’d be able to drive any car on the policy as long as you are a named driver. Most insurers allow you to cover between five and seven vehicles on a single policy.
Some insurers even cover family members who live at different addresses as part of their multi-car insurance e.g. children who are studying at university or people working away from home.
Probably the most common is to add named drivers to an existing policy.
Adding a named driver will enable other qualified drivers in your family to legally get behind the wheel of your car on an occasional basis, as long as they are named on the policy. They will be covered in the case of any accident or vehicle damage.
With this type of insurance, named drivers have the same level of cover as the main driver e.g. if you have a comprehensive policy, they will as well. This means if they cause an accident, your vehicle and anyone else – plus injuries – would all be covered.
If they have their own insurance as a main driver, they should contact their insurer to let them know they are a named driver on an additional policy.
The main driver will be the person who does the majority of the driving. If the named driver ends up doing most of the driving, they would be committing an illegal offence called fronting. Penalties and punishments for fronting can include:
It’s often cheaper to add a named driver at the time of your annual car insurance renewal. This is because you’ll avoid paying a mid-term adjustment (MTA) admin fee at this time.
To add a named driver, contact the insurer direct and be prepared with the following information:
Please note an insurer can refuse cover to an additional named driver for a variety of reasons.
Temporary car insurance is another option. This gives you the flexibility to cover other family members as and when they need to drive your car.
From one hour up to 28 days, many temporary policies are fully comprehensive and won’t affect your no claims discount, meaning you’re covered if they do have a bump while out and about.
Is someone in your family learning to drive? Let them get some extra driving practice in with learner driver insurance. This temporary policy helps a learner gain confidence while being supervised by a family member or friend.
As with many aspects of insurance, this will depend on various circumstances including age, experience and the types of vehicles being insured. All drivers and vehicles being covered under the same policy could make things easier to manage and there is the potential to save money, especially for those who are listed as named drivers.
One way of insuring occasional drivers is temporary car insurance. With this type of insurance, you only need to pay when they actually drive. Tempcover offers fully comprehensive cover from 1 hour to 28 days – and you can get a quote in under 2 minutes.
Temporary car insurance for the family can help you in a number of scenarios:
Arranging car insurance for the entire family can sometimes work out cheaper and more convenient, but there are benefits and disadvantages to arranging your insurance this way.
Covering the whole family under one insurance policy is not the most suitable option for every driver. You should think carefully as sometimes individual policies work better for your needs and the way you drive your car.
You should also factor in that if someone is unfortunate enough to have an accident or damage your car, there is potential for the premium to rise.
If you’re not interested in getting car insurance for your whole family, you can still get an individual policy that applies to your needs. From temporary van insurance and temporary bike insurance to annual policies for almost every type of car, you can get a policy that offers the level of coverage you need.
Yes, you can add family members to an existing car insurance policy. Simply contact your insurer and ask if you can add a named driver to your policy. Please bear in mind that some insurers may charge an administration fee for making these changes to an annual policy.
If you’re happy to insure family members for a shorter period of time, temporary car insurance could be the answer. Tempcover’s fully comprehensive policies are flexible to your needs.
Adding a named driver to an annual insurance policy is likely to affect your no-claims discount as this tends to be only for the main driver. Please check your insurance details for more information.
With Tempcover’s temporary car insurance, your no claims discount will not be affected as it is a completely separate policy.
Honest John’s Cheapest family cars to insure 2024 article highlights the following family cars as being affordable to cover. Every car on this list has a version that belongs in a low group rating (ranging from 8 to 13):
What Car? defines a family car as a mid-sized hatchback that’s bigger than a small car with seating for five adults plus a useful amount of boot space.
Whatever family car you are looking at, make sure you are fully covered. If you can’t find the right annual insurance policy for your family, it’s worth considering temporary car insurance.
This will give those you love the most the freedom to get where they need to go and you the peace of mind that they’re fully insured on their travels.
As family car insurance is a term that covers getting insurance that covers any type of family, you will not need to be married to get a policy.
This will depend on the terms and conditions of your insurance policy. Many policies will allow immediate family members who don’t live at the address all year round (e.g. students at university) to drive the covered car.
As long as you are either the main driver or named driver, you will be able to drive any car covered under this policy. The main driver must drive the vehicle the majority of the time. If a named driver does this, then you will be guilty of fronting and could face a fine, six points on your licence and even a potential ban from driving.
The majority of annual insurance policies relate to an individual (the policyholder) and their vehicle. If you want to get more members of your family covered, you can add them as named drivers by contacting your insurance provider. You can also get them covered on a short-term basis using temporary car insurance or look into purchasing a multi-car policy.
Family car insurance typically refers to multi-car cover, allowing multiple vehicles at your address to be insured under one policy. This cover could potentially reduce your annual premium, providing more financial flexibility for family expenses or personal treats. It's not a specific policy type offered by insurers.
You can add multiple named drivers to your temporary car insurance policy, but some insurers may impose restrictions, such as a minimum age or driving experience. If you own multiple cars, consider a multicar policy. Always review your policy's specifics to ensure it meets your requirements.
Indeed, your mother can insure your car through non-owner car insurance. This policy covers vehicles not owned or registered to you, like family or company cars. It offers peace of mind by ensuring the car is protected, regardless of whose name it's registered under.
Family car insurance covers multiple people or vehicles in one household. To insure multiple drivers on one car, add named drivers to your policy. Ensure the main driver listed is the one primarily using the vehicle.
Individual car insurance covers only the policyholder, who must meet the deductible before the policy helps cover costs. Conversely, family car insurance covers at least two family members, with the deductible needing to be met before the insurer contributes. Both plans have their advantages, so consider your specific needs before deciding.
A multi-car insurance policy could offer savings compared to individual policies for insuring multiple family cars. However, savings aren't guaranteed. You can consolidate all vehicles under one policy or have separate ones for each. It's important to compare all options to ensure the best deal for your situation.
Yes, family members can be included in a multi-car insurance policy. However, all cars must be registered to you, the primary policyholder, or your spouse. Cars registered to other family members, such as children, cannot be included. Consider this before choosing a multi-car policy to ensure it suits your family's unique situation.
To reduce UK car insurance costs, compare quotes from different insurers before renewal. Paying the premium annually, reducing mileage, and choosing a less powerful car can lower costs. Increase your voluntary excess, improve car security, add an experienced driver to your policy, and consider a telematics policy. Always be honest and avoid unnecessary extras to save money.
Two individuals can be insured on the same car, either as a named driver on a single policy or through separate policies. While separate policies safeguard your no-claims bonus and premium, adding a named driver is usually more economical for long-term use. Making multiple claims for one incident across different policies is illegal, and insurers may split payouts between policies. Ensure appropriate coverage for your circumstances.
Typically, named drivers don't accrue a no-claims discount, as it's usually reserved for the main driver or policyholder. However, some insurers may offer this discount to named drivers with a clean record, intending to obtain their own insurance policy in the future.
Consider cancelling your collision insurance if your car is older or worth less than £4,000, or if annual premiums exceed 10% of its value. However, ensure you're prepared to cover repair or replacement costs yourself.
To lower car insurance costs, assess your vehicle and coverage needs, and remove unnecessary policy add-ons. Consider increasing your voluntary excess and explore telematics or 'black box' insurance if suitable. Pay annually rather than monthly to reduce costs further. Bundling policies may also offer additional savings.
Deciding to claim on your car insurance hinges on the damage extent and repair cost. If repair costs are lower than your excess, claiming might not be beneficial as it could raise future premiums. Always evaluate the situation and consider your options before deciding. The final decision is yours.
Insurance comes in various forms including home, travel, vehicle, and health insurance, each designed to safeguard your assets from unforeseen events like fire, floods, accidents, man-made disasters, and theft. These fall under general insurance, which encompasses motor, health, travel, and home insurance. Each type provides peace of mind, ensuring your valuable assets are protected.
Related tags:
Temporary Car Insurance