Primary vs secondary driver insurance
7 minute read Published on Jul 18, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
With any car insurance policy, there may come a time when you decide that you want to add another driver to your plan. This is where the distinction between primary drivers and secondary drivers comes into play. Below, we explain the differences between each and how to add a secondary driver to your policy.
Key takeaways
Here's what you should know:
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Primary and secondary drivers receive the same coverage under the auto insurance policy when driving the insured vehicle.
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The primary driver has the greatest impact on auto insurance premiums, while secondary drivers are considered but weighted less by insurers.
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If another person begins driving the vehicle more often, the primary and secondary driver designations on the policy should be updated to reflect actual use.
What do primary driver and secondary driver mean in Canada?
In Canada, auto insurance policies are structured around how a vehicle is used and who drives it most often. This is why insurance companies require you to identify both a primary driver and, when applicable, one or more secondary drivers on a car insurance policy. Let's have a look:
Primary drivers
A primary driver or principal driver is the person who drives the vehicle the most. In most cases, the primary driver is also the car’s owner, though this isn’t always true. Further, the primary driver is typically the named insured on the policy. An insurer must know your policy’s primary driver because this will impact your premium.
Secondary drivers
Secondary drivers, who are also known as occasional drivers, are drivers who use the car regularly but don’t use it the most. In most cases, secondary drivers are other people with a valid driver’s licence who live in the same household as the primary driver, such as another adult, teenage child or spouse. However, if anyone else operates the car on a regular basis, whether they are with you or not, they should be added as a secondary driver to your car insurance plan.
Primary vs. secondary driver
To summarize how insurance companies distinguish between these roles, the table below outlines the key differences between primary and secondary drivers on a Canadian auto insurance policy. Take a look:
Category |
Primary driver |
Secondary driver |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
The person who drives the vehicle the most. The primary driver is often the vehicle owner and typically the named insured, though this is not always the case. |
A person who drives the vehicle on a regular basis but less often than the primary driver. Also referred to as an occasional driver. |
Coverage |
Covered under the full terms of the auto insurance policy when driving the insured vehicle. |
Covered under the same policy and receives the same coverage as the primary driver when driving the insured vehicle. |
Rating factors weighed |
Rated most heavily. Age, driving record, claims history, experience and vehicle use have the greatest influence on the premium. |
Considered by the insurer, but weighted less than the primary driver when determining the premium. |
Typical use |
Usually the person who uses the vehicle daily or for most trips, such as commuting or regular errands. |
Commonly, a spouse, partner, adult or teenage child, roommate, friend, personal care worker or another person who drives the vehicle consistently but not most often. |
Cost impact |
Has the biggest effect on the overall cost of the policy. |
May increase the premium, particularly for young or inexperienced drivers, though the impact is usually smaller than that of the primary driver. |
When to update your policy |
If another person begins driving the vehicle more often than the listed primary driver. |
When someone starts driving the vehicle regularly, typically once a week or more. |
How does primary vs. secondary driver insurance differ?
The reality is that both primary and secondary drivers receive the same coverage when driving the insured vehicle. The main difference lies in how insurers assess risk, with the primary driver’s profile carrying more weight when auto insurance premiums are calculated.
How secondary drivers can impact auto insurance premiums
Adding a secondary driver to your auto insurance plan can impact your premium in a few possible ways. We outline the possibilities below:
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Your car insurance rates may rise when you add one or more secondary drivers to your policy because the risk of an accident increases when multiple people use the same vehicle.
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Your premium may not be impacted in any significant way if the person you are adding to your policy has driving experience coupled with a clean record. That is why we always recommend checking the driving record of any secondary driver you consider listing on your plan.
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In some instances, your premium could actually go down by adding a secondary driver to your policy, e.g. if you are a young driver with a high premium who chooses to add an older motorist with ample driving experience to your policy.
Please note that auto insurance rules and definitions can vary by insurer and province. To confirm how primary and secondary driver rules apply to your situation, it’s best to speak with a licensed insurance broker.
When to add a secondary driver to your auto insurance policy
You should add anyone with a valid driver’s licence who drives your vehicle on a regular basis as an occasional or secondary driver. Occasional or one-off borrowing does not usually require disclosure. In many cases, adding secondary drivers to an existing policy is more cost-effective than purchasing multiple auto insurance policies. Let's look at who you can add to your auto insurance policy:
Teen drivers
If your teenager recently started driving and does not yet have a car of their own, adding them as a secondary driver on your auto insurance policy often makes the most sense.
Since teen drivers are usually less experienced, they may be more likely to get into an accident. For this reason, some experts recommend adding accident forgiveness coverage to your plan or increasing the limit on your liability car insurance.
Roommates sharing one vehicle
When roommates share a vehicle, insurers look at who uses the car most often to determine the primary driver. This is based on typical use patterns rather than ownership or who pays for the policy.
Situations where use is irregular or rotated can make it harder to clearly identify a primary driver. In these cases, insurers still expect one person to be listed as the primary driver, with other regular users named as secondary drivers.
Two-car households
In a two-car household, each vehicle must have its own primary driver, based on who drives each car most often. If someone regularly drives both vehicles, they should be added as a secondary driver on each applicable policy. Licensed household members must generally be disclosed to the insurer, unless specifically excluded via a waiver.
When not to add someone as a secondary driver to your car insurance plan
Knowing when to add a secondary driver to your policy is just as important as knowing when not to. Although there are many situations in which listing someone as an occasional driver on your policy makes sense, there are other times when it’s simply not necessary.
For instance, if a friend or family member borrows your car very occasionally, e.g. once a month, there is likely no reason to name them on your policy. In addition, if you have a loved one visiting from out of town for a week and they plan to drive your car for one week only, you also do not need to inform your insurance provider and add them to your policy.
Please note that if they plan to rent a car during their visit, they should look into rental car insurance. These types of very occasional or one-off drivers are covered under the permissive user clause in your auto insurance policy, which is why naming them as secondary drivers isn’t necessary.
What happens when a secondary driver gets into a car accident?
If someone who is named as a secondary driver on your policy gets into an accident, they will be covered by the same coverage as the primary driver. The general rule in most of Canada is that auto insurance usually follows the vehicle, not the driver. So, if someone who is not listed as an occasional driver borrows your car and gets into an accident, your car insurance policy will likely cover the costs as long as you gave them permission to drive it.
ICBC Autoplan Insurance
In British Columbia, under the ICBC’s public Autoplan system, while the vehicle’s insurance still responds to the loss, crashes are recorded against the driver who caused them instead of the vehicle owner. This means that a borrowed-car accident will go on the driver’s crash history and future insurance costs, even though the claim is handled under the vehicle’s policy. However, if they were not listed on your policy as an occasional driver when they should have been, you may still be responsible for some of the costs.
Do I have to add a secondary driver to my car insurance plan?
It depends. If someone else drives your car on a regular basis, they must be disclosed and listed on your policy. Failing to do so would be misleading to your insurance company and could result in your rates increasing, your claim being denied or your policy being cancelled down the road. In addition, insurance fronting, where a frequent driver is incorrectly listed as a secondary driver, is also prohibited and considered insurance fraud in Canada.
Contact BrokerLink today
Are you ready to dive into the world of primary and secondary or occasional driver insurance? Contact BrokerLink today. We can explain how each type of driver differs, as well as give you an accurate quote of how much it will cost to add a secondary driver to your policy.
We can also help you ensure that you have the best possible coverage for your needs, as well as provide tips on how to keep your premium low even after adding extra drivers to your policy. Get in touch today to request your free auto insurance quote and begin your car insurance journey!