Information as at 27 October 2026 · compiled by Prakanthai.com
Reference: OIC letter no. 4331/3345 dated 17 November 2025 · applies to private-use cars and electric vehicles · Key point: the unnamed-driver option can still be bought, but it is priced at driving-behaviour level 0 = 105%
Your car insurance renewal notice arrives and the staff member asks how many drivers you want to name. But this car is driven by Dad, Mum and the kids, and some days a relative borrows it too. If you only name some of them and someone else crashes, what happens?
Many people think that since 2026 car insurance with no named drivers is no longer possible. That is not correct. What the OIC changed is how the premium for the unnamed-driver option is calculated. So which option suits our car?
Is car insurance with no named drivers still available?
The short answer: car insurance with no named drivers can still be bought as normal for private-use cars and EVs, Class 1, 2 and 3. Under the OIC letter dated 17 Nov 2025, insurers must factor driving behaviour into the premium, and for the unnamed option it is fixed at level 0, or 105%. This option suits a car that several people take turns driving. With the named-driver option (1–5 people), drivers with a good record can get a behaviour discount of up to 40%. The actual premium depends on the car model, sum insured, insurer and driver.
What has the latest OIC announcement changed?
| Point | What the OIC letter sets out |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Private-use vehicles, both ordinary cars and electric vehicles |
| Policy class | Class 1, 2 and 3 |
| How the premium is calculated | Driving-behaviour factors must be taken into account |
| Level used | Level 0 = 105% for all 3 classes |
| Approved insurers | 31 insurers for cars · 29 insurers for electric vehicles |
| Effective period | 17 Nov 2025 to 17 Nov 2026 |
This letter amends the premium-rate document issued under Registrar's Order no. 46/2567 (cars) and 45/2567 (electric vehicles) of 25 December 2024 (numbers in the Thai Buddhist-era year). The insurers on the list include Viriyah Insurance, Bangkok Insurance, Muang Thai Insurance, Dhipaya Insurance and Tokio Marine Safety Insurance.
Named vs unnamed drivers: what is the difference?
| Topic | Named drivers | No named drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers on the policy | Up to 5 people | No need to name anyone |
| Driving-behaviour level | Levels 1–5, based on the past 12 months' record | Level 0 = 105% |
| Behaviour discount | Applied immediately if the record is good, up to 40% at level 5 | None |
| Someone else who is not named drives | Fully covered, if the accident is not caused by that person's negligence | No conditions about names |
As the OIC has clarified, a driver with no record of accidents caused by negligence starts at level 2 and gets a discount straight away in the first year. If there are no further incidents, the level can move up to level 5.
How much more does the unnamed option cost?
The 105% figure means the driving-behaviour part of the premium is multiplied by 1.05 for every unnamed-driver policy. The actual starting premium depends on the insurer, car model, car age, sum insured and policy class, so you need to look at the quote for each car.
A worked example to illustrate
Suppose the premium for a car before the driving-behaviour factor is THB 20,000 (a hypothetical figure, not any insurer's actual premium).
- Unnamed drivers (level 0): 20,000 × 105% = THB 21,000, which is THB 1,000 more
- Named drivers, all at level 5: maximum discount of 40% → 20,000 × (100% − 40%) = THB 12,000
- Difference between the two cases: 21,000 − 12,000 = THB 9,000 per year
A simple rule: if the car has no more than 5 regular drivers and all of them have a good record, the named-driver option may cost less over time. The real difference depends on each driver's level and any other discounts the insurer gives. Go by the quote.
Who suits the unnamed-driver option?
- Households where more than 5 people take turns driving the same car
- Cars that relatives or friends often borrow, so naming everyone is hard
- Company cars or pool cars that are not driven by the same person every day
- People who don't want to report or change a named driver every time someone new uses the car
Who should not choose the unnamed-driver option?
- Cars with 1–2 regular drivers who have a good record: you get no behaviour discount at all and pay at the 105% level every year
- People who want to build up a good driving record for next year: the unnamed option is fixed at a single level, level 0
- People who choose it only because they think a named policy stops others from driving: the OIC confirms that people who are not named can still drive and are fully covered, if the accident is not caused by that person's negligence
- Cars used for hire or commercially: this letter applies to private use only
Limits to check before you decide
- No behaviour discount. The unnamed option is priced at 105% on every policy, however well the actual driver drives
- Named, but someone else drives and causes an accident through negligence. The OIC confirms full cover only where the accident is not caused by that person's negligence. Before choosing the named option, check the conditions on the quote to see how much you would pay yourself in this case
- Some insurers may not offer the unnamed option. The letter approves only the insurers on the list (31 for cars, 29 for electric vehicles). Underwriting itself is decided by the insurer
- This rate table is effective until 17 Nov 2026. For policies renewed after that date, follow the rates and quote the insurer uses on the day you take out the policy
- 105% does not mean the whole premium always rises by 5%. The final premium still depends on other factors, such as the car model, the sum insured and the excess you choose
Want to understand the excess clearly before comparing? Read Excess vs Deductible: what is the difference?
Want to know whether named or unnamed is cheaper for this car? What do you need to send?
Send just 3 things
- A photo of the registration book's front page
- The front page of your current policy
- Number of people who regularly drive this car
Our team will send a written quote back within the business day, comparing named and unnamed premiums on the same terms. We will tell you straight which plan is good value, and explain any differences in conditions before you pay.
LINE Official: @prakanthai · Tel. +66 2 459 2223
Frequently asked questions
In 2026, does the law now require naming the drivers?
No. The OIC has clarified that Registrar's Order no. 46/2567 did not abolish the unnamed option, and the Central Administrative Court ruled on 24 Feb 2026 that policyholders can still choose either option.
How many drivers can be named?
Up to 5, up from the previous limit of 2
What is the driving-behaviour level based on?
It is based on the record of accidents caused by negligence over the 12 months before the date of application, in 5 levels. Level 1 is high risk and level 5 is low risk.
Do EVs follow the same rule?
Yes, the same rule. The OIC issued a separate rate table for electric vehicles, and the unnamed option is also priced at level 0 = 105%. If you are comparing EV insurance, see Viriyah EV insurance with dealer repair (2–5 years) or Muang Thai Class 1 EV insurance
Are Class 2 and Class 3 affected too?
Yes. The table in the OIC letter sets level 0 = 105% equally for Class 1, 2 and 3 policies.
If I take the unnamed option now, can I switch to named next year?
You can choose again at renewal. Give us the drivers' names when you request the quote, and the insurer will assess the premium from the records of the drivers you name.
Who approves claims: Prakanthai.com or the insurer?
Underwriting and claim payments are decided by the insurer. As a broker, Prakanthai.com helps coordinate and follows up for you.
Notes
The information on this page is based on OIC letter no. 4331/3345 dated 17 November 2025 on the approval of premium rates for private-use cars and electric vehicles with no named drivers, and on OIC clarifications, compiled as at 27 October 2026. It is general information and not part of the insurance contract. Premiums and conditions may change as announced by the Registrar or the insurer. Underwriting and claim payments are decided by the insurer. Prakanthai.com is a non-life insurance broker, not an insurer, licence no. 5104000004. Please read the policy and the quote in full before deciding.
