What information is needed to add a driver to insurance?
7 minute read Published on Jun 9, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Your 16-year-old just got their first driver’s license. Do you add them to your auto insurance policy, or do you get them their own? Many Canadians don’t realize how much adding an additional driver to their plan impacts their insurance premiums and how not properly adding them can put them at risk.
Whether you’re a parent, in a relationship, or letting a friend borrow your car, understanding how your decisions can affect your insurance coverage is essential. To help you make the right decision, we’ll walk you through when to add a driver, what information you need, and how to weigh the costs and benefits.
Why it matters: Adding a driver to your policy
Adding a driver to your policy is more than just paperwork; it can actively impact your risk profile and your car insurance needs. When you add another person to your auto insurance policy, your liability, accident risk, and premiums are affected. This matters because an inexperienced, young driver, or high-risk driver could dramatically increase your costs.
For example, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), young drivers have the greatest percentage of traffic fatalities and injury per capita of any age group, as well as the highest death rate per kilometre travelled across motorists under the age of 75. Because they carry such a higher risk, insurance companies will price your rates higher. At the same time, if you don’t accurately declare another driver on your policy and they get into a collision while driving, your insurance claim could be denied.
Primary driver vs secondary driver: What’s the difference?
When talking about adding a driver to your policy, there are two types of drivers you can add:
Primary driver: Primary drivers or principal operators in car insurance often refer to the main policyholder, i.e. the person who drives the insured vehicle most often. The primary driver is typically the owner and main operator of the vehicle. Therefore, their driving history and characteristics have the biggest impact on the insurance premium.
Secondary driver: Secondary drivers in car insurance are usually occasional drivers. They are a person or multiple people who occasionally operate the primary driver’s vehicle but who are not the main drivers. When a secondary driver is listed on a policy, they will be covered by the same types of auto insurance as the primary driver when they are driving the vehicle. Since secondary drivers still operate the vehicle being insured, their driving records and claims histories can still influence the cost of the policy.
Example: Imagine your 22-year-old child lives at home but only drives your car on the weekends. You add them as a secondary driver. Because they drive less frequently, your insurance company may assess them as less of a risk than if they were a primary driver. Regardless, insurance providers will consider their age, driving record, and driver’s license status when calculating rates.
When should you add a driver to your auto insurance policy?
You should add someone to your auto insurance policy when they live with you or use your vehicle often enough that an insurer would consider them a regular driver. Listing drivers properly helps ensure claims are handled smoothly and avoids coverage disputes if an accident happens. In general, if a person has consistent access to your keys and drives your car more than “once in a blue moon,” it’s worth discussing with your insurer. Some common scenarios where adding a driver to your policy makes sense include:
You have a new teen driver in your household: When your child is still learning to drive, adding them to your existing policy will likely make more sense than a separate car insurance policy. This allows them to be covered as they learn to drive and become more experienced behind the wheel.
Adult child living at home: If your adult child resides in your household and does not own their own car but often drives yours, they should be listed as a driver on your policy. They’ll still receive coverage under your car insurance policy even if they don’t drive often.
Parent or older family member living with you: Family dynamics can change. As long as your parents do not own a vehicle of their own, they can be added to your policy. Even if they only drive your car a couple of times per week, adding them to your policy will ensure they are covered should something go wrong while they are behind the wheel.
Employee or caregiver: If an employee often uses your car for business purposes, you must add them as a secondary driver.
Frequent but occasional driver: For someone who doesn’t drive daily, but still drives often, adding them as an occasional driver will protect your interests and finances.
Next, let's take a look at the opposite:
When it doesn’t make sense
Not every person who touches your keys needs to be listed, especially if their use is truly rare and temporary. The key difference is whether the person’s access and use are ongoing versus isolated. Take a look:
Rare borrowing: If a friend or family member borrows your car only a couple of times a year, your insurance company may not require you to list them. But double-check beforehand.
One-time visitors: If someone is visiting from out of town and is using your car for a short period, you may not need to add them.
Checklist
Use this quick checklist to decide whether it’s time to add someone and what to ask before you do:
Will they drive your car regularly? Yes: add them. No: hold off.
How frequently do they drive? (Daily, weekends, or errands?)
Do they have a clean driving record?
Ask your insurance company how much your premiums will be to add an occasional driver.
What information you need to provide
The information you need to add an occasional driver to your current car insurance policy includes:
Legal name
Date of birth
Gender
Driver’s licence number
Insurance claims history
Insurance history
Driving records
The date they obtained their licence, including the date they obtained each level of licence for a graduated licence system
How adding a driver impacts your premiums
Adding a driver to your policy can significantly impact your premiums, but the premium increase won’t be the same. Factors that influence these costs include:
Age: Teens aged 16-19 are three to four times more likely to be involved in crashes than experienced adult drivers, resulting in higher insurance premiums.
Claims record: Previous crashes or tickets can increase what you pay.
License type: Those with a full driver’s license, compared to a learner’s, may receive better rates.
Frequency of driving: A secondary driver who drives infrequently may not bump up your premiums as much as a daily driver.
Let's take a look at some more facts you should keep in mind:
Premium impacts
How much the premium of your current policy increases will depend on numerous factors and the province you live in. For households with multiple drivers, you can save between 5 and 15% on your premiums by bundling more than two cars under the same multi-car insurance policy. Ask a BrokerLink broker about other ways you can save money!
Cost-benefit
Add to existing policy: Typically cheaper than having a separate policy. Risk is shared by all drives. You can, however, qualify for household discounts with your insurer.
Get a separate policy: Can make sense if their risk profile is significantly higher than your own and will raise your rates substantially.
Risk of not declaring another driver: Your claim could be denied, forcing you to pay for incurred costs out of your own pocket.
Checklist and next steps
If you’re thinking about adding a driver to your policy, here’s a quick checklist and list of next steps to follow:
Confirm the person’s driver’s licence status and how often they intend to use your vehicle.
Collect information on their previous driving history, including claims and traffic violations.
Estimate how much their addition could raise your premium by working with a BrokerLink broker.
Compare the cost of adding another driver to your policy vs. them having their own car insurance policy.
Work with a BrokerLink advisor to compare quotes and review your risk exposure.
If you decide to proceed, get the paperwork ready and add them officially, to ensure your finances and interests are protected moving forward.
Contact BrokerLink today
Adding a driver to your car insurance policy in Canada is not a decision you can take lightly. Because doing so raises premiums for primary drivers, you need to review the occasional driver’s previous driving history and run a cost analysis before you make a decision. Don’t leave things to chance. Contact a BrokerLink advisor today for a policy review and guidance on adding another driver to your car insurance policy.
Get an auto insurance quoteCall Us 1-866-724-2372
FAQs on adding a driver to insurance
Do I always need to add someone who occasionally borrows my car?
Not always. If someone is borrowing your vehicle for the day, some insurers may not require you to add them, but it depends on who your provider is. Always check ahead of time to ensure you’re insured properly.
Will adding my teen driver always raise my premium?
Yes. Adding a teen driver to your plan increases your risk exposure. However, how much of an increase you receive will depend on their driving record, the type of driver’s license they have, and how often they drive your car.
What happens if I forget to add a frequent driver?
If they get into a collision, your insurer may deny your claim or refuse to cover you. Always update your insurer about any changes to your insurance needs.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.