[Hat]

i told my dealer i wanted to take a cooper d for 'a good couple of hours' for a test drive & they reckon i need a cover note from my insurance. has anyone else faced this & do insurance companies charge? i've not contacted them yet but wanted to see what other people's experiences were. cheers

[Fin]

I always thought the dealership's insurance covered test drives. I've been told that it didn't cover under 25's by BMW, who changed their minds when they saw I actually was interested

[Bhozar]

I have never had ot provide insurance for a test drive of any car, from MINI's and VW Polos to Focus RS' and a Maserati. The dealer always provided it.

[Queb]

I was covered by the dealerships insurance when I test drove (unaccompanied !) a R56

[Scrogg]

Hat,

If you tell your insurance company that the Cooper D you will be driving is a Courtesy Car whilst your's is in for work they shouldn't charge you for swapping your cover over.

There are a surprising number of dealers that have this policy for unaccompanied test drives, as they are not obliged to offer that facility to customers. Most, however, have a deal with an insurance company where they can lend cars out for a small daily charge (it was £3 at my dealership) but rarely, if ever, pass this charge on to the customer.

If your dealership won't budge take your test drive (and your business! ) somewhere else.

[Shaun]

Last two times I took a dealers car out they put me on there insurance for the day or for the duration of the drive these were test drives though.
When I had Courtesy cars I had to use my own insurance this is ok but wil have to be confirmed usually a phone call will suffice some charge some dont. I rang my insurer put the BMW on it for a day and got a policy amendment 2 days later.

[Amo]

This is a new one to me!!

As a 21 year old I have never been told I was too young to take a MINI for a test drive or that I would need to arrange insurance. Dealers always offered me a test drive before they even saw me (when I requested brochures via MINI website).

Although the dealer would not give me an unaccompanied test drive - meanies

[AMT]

I know one dealer that will ask people to arrange their own insurance only if they're a bit sus - i.e. some NEDs walk in wanting a test drive. This is their way of 'weeding out' those that are interested and those who are ****ing around

[laura f]

Nope, always been given the keys and told to bring it back when done

[Amo]

Quote: Originally Posted by AMT (original)

I know one dealer that will ask people to arrange their own insurance only if they're a bit sus - i.e. some NEDs walk in wanting a test drive. This is their way of 'weeding out' those that are interested and those who are ****ing around

I appreciate dealers don't want people mucking around and wasting their time but I hate being judged everytime I walk into a dealership.

For example when shopping for cars I liked to take my parents along with me for a test drive as I find it useful to hear what passengers think about the car and its ride e.g. a car that induces car sickness would be a no no (I often don't notice this as a driver)!!

HOWEVER some dealers (not MINI ) would then assume its my parents buying the car ( OK fair enough initially) but after correction they would still proceed to only talk to my dad about the car coz obviosly 'daddy' must be buying the daughters car or at least dicate what she buys (yeah right!!). Of course these car dealers did not make a sale and I left the showroom shortly after!!!!

[Bhozar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Amo (original)

HOWEVER some dealers (not MINI ) would then assume its my parents buying the car ( OK fair enough initially) but after correction they would still proceed to only talk to my dad about the car coz obviosly 'daddy' must be buying the daughters car or at least dicate what she buys (yeah right!!). Of course these car dealers did not make a sale and I left the showroom shortly after!!!!

I hope you always tell them thats why youre leaving and they are loosing a sale.

[Amo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bhozar (original)

I hope you always tell them thats why youre leaving and they are loosing a sale.

I never did wierdly enough... I think I took more pleasure in telling them that they were competing with the MINI Cooper D which, in my opinion, was a much better car than theirs and better value for money!!

[acidHL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Amo (original)

HOWEVER some dealers (not MINI ) would then assume its my parents buying the car ( OK fair enough initially) but after correction they would still proceed to only talk to my dad about the car coz obviosly 'daddy' must be buying the daughters car or at least dicate what she buys (yeah right!!). Of course these car dealers did not make a sale and I left the showroom shortly after!!!!

This is where my big brother comes in handy for once