MINI2

SlowPoke · Mar 8th, 2006, 09:59 AM

Hi, we’ve been thinking of buying a new MINI so we have been avidly reading the MINI2 site. Currently, my wife and I have an old Ford Mondeo. We are fed up with having a practical car and wanted to get a fun car. We like the look of the Checkmate.
After reading a thread in the General Discussion forum (about a 17 year getting a Works GP on a policy with his dad as a Main Driver) alarm bells have started ringing in my head about our own situation!

Historically my wife got our first car and she had the insurance to go with it, I was then added as a named driver. Many years ago she stopped driving as she didn’t really enjoy it. Now I do all the driving, even though she is still listed as the Main Driver.

We’ve never had a conviction, she/we has/have full no claims and we are both over 40 years old. We never even considered we were doing anything wrong. We just thought with her as main driver this meant she was the main policyholder for us as a husband and wife. We didn’t know it would mean if I did over 50% of the driving it could be a problem.

So now we are thinking we need to phone up our insurers and switch me to be the main driver!? What would happen to the full no claims? In terms of a new MINI, I assume I would have to be listed as a main driver again? I will certainly do all the driving in the first few months at least. Sounds expensive! The situation is further complicated as she is thinking of getting a new job. As it could be out of town (she currently walks to work) then she has been taking driving lessons. So after they finish we were planning to have her get 6 months practise in the old Mondeo (which we thought we’d keep) and then I’d take her out for practise in the Checkmate. So within a couple of months after she could well be the main driver! We don't really need two cars - I can walk to work as well! Having a nice MINI to drive is also a big incentive for her to get driving again.

I’d hate to get into an accident (in either car) and have the insurers say they won’t pay up.

Many thanks for any help/advice as we are quite worried, we are obviously very naïve about the way car insurance works.

danb · Mar 8th, 2006, 11:38 AM

Firstly, Im sure insurance companies won't be as strict with more mature drivers, and lets face it they do have to prove that you're the main driver.

That said, it probobally won't make much difference to your insurance premiums. If you ring your insurance company and explain the situation, and that you have been a named driver on the policy for X number of years, most companies will be happy to change you to the policy holder and transfer the NCB to your name.

SlowPoke · Mar 8th, 2006, 01:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by danb

Firstly, Im sure insurance companies won't be as strict with more mature drivers, and lets face it they do have to prove that you're the main driver..

But assuming I was to write off the Checkmate into someones new beamer. That could be #40k plus costs, I'm guessing a loss adjuster wouldn't take long to find out about the driving lessons- she wouldn't take them just for fun

Quote: Originally Posted by danb

That said, it probobally won't make much difference to your insurance premiums. If you ring your insurance company and explain the situation, and that you have been a named driver on the policy for X number of years, most companies will be happy to change you to the policy holder and transfer the NCB to your name.

If that is right then that would be great, is that likely? Trouble is we have switched companies for a lower quote twice in the last five years, true I have always been named but not with just one company.Tthey might not feel quite so generous if they have to go about contacting other insurerers.

danb · Mar 8th, 2006, 02:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SlowPoke

If that is right then that would be great, is that likely? Trouble is we have switched companies for a lower quote twice in the last five years, true I have always been named but not with just one company.Tthey might not feel quite so generous if they have to go about contacting other insurerers.

Possibly not as likely if you haven't been with them long, but still quite likely. Just inform them that if they cannot transfer the NCB you'll be swapping to another insurance company to lower the cost. If they won't transfer the NCB, try ringing an insurance broker such as greenlight (Mini specialist - search for them on here) - they will be more than happy to advise you on your best option.

edit: The other option is just inform the company that you are the main driver for the time being. The policy holder does not have to be the main driver

dietcokeplease · Mar 8th, 2006, 03:26 PM

There's no real problem here SlowPoke. You're not a 17 year old driver out to scam an insurance company for lower premiums by using your mum or dad as a front for the Policy.

Your risk profile of you and you wife are perfect and it's safe to say that in most husband and wife cases the husband does all the driving when they go out.

All you have to do is to tell your insurer that you are the main driver even though your wife is the Policyholder. Unless you have a unique occupation I doubt that anything should be charged. The only problem with you not being the Policyholder is that you lose the benefit of being covered for driving 3rd party on other vehicles.

I think that over the years on my mum and dads fleet policy, my mum is the main driver on my dads car and my dad is the main driver on the smaller car as my dad switched to a more economical car due to his mileage.

SlowPoke · Mar 8th, 2006, 03:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by danb

edit: The other option is just inform the company that you are the main driver for the time being. The policy holder does not have to be the main driver

Oh, I didn't realise that! I shall try them after work! I am probably panicing over nothing.

SlowPoke · Mar 8th, 2006, 04:05 PM