Insurance Advice - Ability to driver other cars

[DannyM]

Hey,

My insurance is due to end next month and and I turn 25 in September. I'd like the ability to drive other cars with 3rd party cover but this is generally only available to people who are 25. I spoke with my current insurer and they said that if I renew at 24 I couldn't automatically be covered for 3rd party on other vehicles when I turn 25 so I would have to wait until I come to renew my policy next year...

I'd like the ability to drive other cars as I live with my parents and my dad sometimes takes my car to work for repairs so having the ability to use his for work would be very handy!

So I've got these options so far:

1) Wait.
2) Renew my policy and cancel it when I'm 25 and start again - a waste of money though.
3) Look at temporary cover for a few months - however when I did this looked expensive.

Or my other options are what the Hexus community offers! Thanks.

[herulach]

I've been covered on a comprehensive policy to drive other cars since I was 21. Iirc that was direct line, but ive had the same cover from Admiral and elephant as well.

[DannyM]

LV was 25 and so is Hastings, however if that's the case I'll look into those providers.

[kalniel]

Renew now and just ring them to amend the policy when you're 25.

[peterb]

You need to read the terms of any extension to provide cover for other cars very carefully - driving other cars on your policy might only be to the minimum extent required by law - ie, indemnity to third parties. That would exclude damage to the car you are driving, and exclude any loss through fire and theft. If you are planning on using your Dad's car a lot, you (and he!) would probably get better cover by ading you as a named driver on his policy.

[finlay666]

You need to read the terms of any extension to provide cover for other cars very carefully - driving other cars on your policy might only be to the minimum extent required by law - ie, indemnity to third parties. That would exclude damage to the car you are driving, and exclude any loss through fire and theft. If you are planning on using your Dad's car a lot, you (and he!) would probably get better cover by ading you as a named driver on his policy.

This

Adding you as a named driver will be less than adding the global cover and you would be under the level on the policy (probably fully comp), it's rarely worth it now with the cost of insurance rising and the level of cover you actually get (3rd party, not even fire/theft)

[dave87]

Renew now and just ring them to amend the policy when you're 25.

This - Admiral were fine with adding it to my policy once I'd turned 25.

[dave87]

This

Adding you as a named driver will be less than adding the global cover and you would be under the level on the policy (probably fully comp), it's rarely worth it now with the cost of insurance rising and the level of cover you actually get (3rd party, not even fire/theft)

And this.

Driving other cars is useful for occasional/unexpected use - much better to be a named driver if you are going to be using another car regularly. If you do get made a named driver, also make sure that you inform the insurance company of the amount of use - especially if the policy holder is a family member and comparatively low risk - otherwise there is a risk at the time of an accident they allege fronting...


Also check that the third party use covers you for business. Not a huge number do....

[Guy]

Renew now and just ring them to amend the policy when you're 25.

Direct Line won't/can't (they give the can't but I suspect it's more won't...) put a D.O.C amendment onto a policy mid cycle. You'd have to be 25 on the inception of the policy.

[DannyM]

Interesting, it is genuinely a case of using the car simply when ever mine might need a repair, he'll take it to work and then I'd use his car for the day to get to work and back. So I appreciate the possibility of becoming a named driver, but last time I tried this it was an extra £200 - £300 iirc. So for the sake of a few days with a policy that clearly states I am able to use other vehicles on a third party basis, then I would prefer to have this option.

I'm up for renewal in a few weeks, so I'll ask the question on renewal.

[Guy]

Other option is to just insure the car when you need it. Plenty of day insurance firms around, and I suspect you'd only be looking at £20-£30 per day, so if it's only once or twice a year might make more sense. Plus you'd be insured on a fully comp policy.

[azureversed]

If you can't find another insurance company who could insure you the way you want then it is better to wait if I were you. September is just two months away and better to save your money for more important things later on. That is if you can wait for your 25th birthday to come.