Parents and young motorists who supply their insurance providers with incorrect information on who is the main driver of a vehicle could be committing fraud, it has been warned.

As a bid to beat the struggle of the financial downturn of the economy, more parents are tempted to put themselves down as the main driver of a vehicle rather than the person who will be using the car the most in order to reduce the cost of their car insurance.

Specialist in general insurance for the Association of British Insurers Malcom Tarling, said: "Strictly speaking it is fraud. If the insurer thinks you are, in fact, the main user when you have led them to believe that you are an occasional user, they could turn down a claim for damage and theft, and their insurance will be more expensive in the future."

The practice where a parent uses their own name on the insurance quote for their son/daughter’s vehicle is known as ‘fronting.’

Keith Lewis of Zurich, said: “Students and their parents are often unwittingly committing fronting …People either don't think about what they are doing or simply assume it's legal. It's not. Not only can it lead to a claim being refused but also both the young person and their parents can be charged with insurance fraud."

Young motorists are not as skilled as the experienced driver and cannot avoid paying higher insurance premiums.

Tarling advised young motorists to think about the car they’re buying. He said: “There is no point spending all your money on the car of your dreams if you can't afford to run it."