Secondary And Occasional Driver Insurance In Ontario

A primary driver is the main driver of a vehicle. They are the person who, in most cases, leases or purchases a vehicle and takes out an insurance policy. Primary drivers use the vehicle the majority of the time. Every insured vehicle is assigned a primary driver.

An occasional driver for insurance, also often referred to as a secondary driver, is a person who regularly drives the vehicle, but doesn’t use it the most. They drive the vehicle less than 50% of the time.

For example, an occasional driver is most commonly a spouse who uses the vehicle to run errands or visit family on the weekend. They use the vehicle a couple times per week, while the primary driver uses the vehicle to commute to work daily.

Any one who uses your car on regular basis such as once a week should be listed as a secondary driver on your insurance policy.

This includes :

• A teen driver with a G2 or G license
• An adult child living at home
• Parents living with adult child
• All licensed drivers residing in your household
• Roommates, neighbors or friends
• Family members
• Nanny

You only need to add drivers to your policy who regularly use your vehicle. This means you don’t need to add a person if they borrow your vehicle one time only or if you lend your vehicle to visitors from out of town staying at your home.

So it’s perfectly okay to lend your vehicle to a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member on occasion. But remember, you are also lending your insurance to this individual.

Primary and secondary driver insurance refers more to the status of a driver within a policy than the insurance coverage itself. Both a primary driver and secondary driver are subject to the same coverage as outlined within an auto policy.

The one area where defining driver designations is the cost of the premium. Primary drivers are scrutinized more heavily when determining the cost of auto insurance policies.

In Ontario, anyone in your home with a valid driver’s license will be added to your policy as an occasional driver. This is the case even if they have their own vehicle and are the primary driver on their own insurance policy.

Occasional driver insurance rules all drivers should follow :

• Any person who uses your vehicle regularly should be added as a secondary driver.
• Add all licensed drivers who reside in your home.
• Make sure driver roles are properly assigned – the secondary driver cannot actually be the primary driver.

You can have an occasional driver removed from your policy. You will need to fill out driver endorsement form 28A. The driver will need to sign the form, agreeing not to be insured or drive your vehicle.

The cost to add an occasional driver to your policy will result in a rate increase. The actual cost will depend on the driver you add.

An experienced driver with a clean driving record will not likely increase your rates much. However, a teen driver, new driver, or a driver with a poor driving record could raise your rates considerably.

Occasional driver insurance cost factors include :

• Age and experience
• Driving history
• Tickets and fines
• History as an insured driver

If you give someone permission to drive your car and they are not listed as a secondary driver you will be covered in most cases. Your insurance policy provides coverage for an occasional driver who is involved in an accident as long as they have a valid driver’s license and do not engage in illegal activity while driving.

It may affect you driving record and you can expect your insurance rates to increase as a result of an at fault car accident.