Named Insured vs. Listed Driver: Understanding Your Auto Policy
When it comes to auto insurance, it’s easy to assume that if you’re listed as a driver on a policy, you’re automatically a named insured. However, that’s not the case.
At W.C. Burgess Insurance Services, we’ve found that many clients are surprised to learn there’s an important distinction between the named insured and a listed driver. Understanding these differences is key to ensuring you have the right coverage and protection.
Named Insured vs. Listed Driver – What’s the Difference?
Named Insured: The named insured is the registered owner of the vehicle. Whoever legally owns the vehicle (as shown on the ownership/vehicle registration) will be the named insured on the auto policy. The named insured has full rights under the policy — including making changes, cancelling coverage, and filing claims.
Listed Driver: A listed driver is someone authorized to operate the insured vehicle, and they are fully covered to drive it. However, they are not part of the legal insurance contract and do not have the authority to make policy changes unless they are also a named insured.
A Common Scenario
Consider a husband and wife who both regularly drive the same car. The wife owns the car, making her the registered owner and named insured on the policy. The husband is listed as a driver — fully insured to operate the vehicle — but he is not a named insured. This means he can’t make policy changes or access certain policy details without the named insured’s approval.
Why This Matters
Not understanding your status on a policy could cause problems when:
Filing a claim
Making policy changes
Accessing policy details
Dealing with disputes or coverage questions
It’s important to ensure that everyone who should have full rights under the policy is properly listed as a named insured — especially if they share ownership or financial responsibility for the vehicle.
How to Confirm Your Coverage
If you’re unsure whether you’re a named insured or a listed driver:
Check your policy documents — Look for the “Named Insured” section.
Review your vehicle ownership papers — The registered owner is the named insured.
Ask your broker — We can help you understand your status and make any necessary changes to ensure you’re fully protected.
At W.C. Burgess Insurance Services, our priority is making sure our clients understand their coverage so there are no surprises when it matters most. If you have questions about your auto policy — or whether you’re properly listed — we encourage you to reach out to us.
Contact us today at info@burgessinsurance.ca, or give us a call at 613-342-1405. You can also visit our Auto Insurance page for more details. We’re here to help you drive with confidence.
