'Kidult' drivers stay on parent's insurance policy

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In the last 12 months, the average age of a child named as a second driver on their parents' policy has gone up from 25 years to 31 years, a survey by price comparison site uSwitch.com shows.

Nearly 40% of drivers now have a second named driver on their car insurance policy, the poll also showed.

Also highlighted by uSwitch.com was the fact that insurance fraud was adding an average of £44 a year to every household's general insurance costs.

One habit that has increased since the recession started is "fronting" which involves a young person buying and registering a car in their own name, but telling insurers that the a parent is the main driver.

Also, as many as 20% of 17-20 year olds drive without insurance.

Mark Monteiro of uSwitch.com said: "Not only are hard-up 'kidults' living at home for longer, but they are hanging around on their parents' insurance policies for longer too.

"It is no secret that younger drivers pay far higher premiums than older motorists because of the higher risk involved. But many are now getting around it by becoming a named driver on their parents' policy instead.

"The practice becomes illegal though when a younger motorist buys and registers a car in their own name, but the insurer is told falsely that a parent is the main driver."