Car insurance - 3rd party for other cars - for both policyholders?

Poly · 21 November 2009, 13:54

I recently renewed my car insurance, and as I changed company read the small print. I then realised that the policy covers me to drive the car, fully comp. It also covers my wife (as a named driver) fully comp. I am also covered (as the policy holder) to drive other cars 3rd party [with the usual restrictions]. However my wife is not covered for other cars as she is just a named driver not the policy holder. It looks as though the is the norm. Previously this is was not a problem as my wife and I both had cars and were policy holders... but we only have one car now.

Does anyone know if there are policies with "joint policy holders" or where my wife can be covered on any car? Its not a major issue, so not something I want to pay loads of money for, but occassionally (once or twice a year) one of us does find themselves driving someone else's car, e.g. if we've been mountain biking and the driver hurts themselves.

jambo · 21 November 2009, 15:37

Pol try SAGA I have just renewed with wife named driver and she is covered to driveothers cars with owners permission.The other thing I like and why I changed was there emergency any driver cover.
Hope this helps.
Billy

Poly · 21 November 2009, 22:09

Billy - thanks unfortunately I am not old enough to qualify for Saga - they won;t even let me put my DOB in! I do like that emergency driver cover.

willfinch36 · 23 November 2009, 08:51

Not sure of many companies that let you drive other cars 3rd party if you are a named driver... hmmm.

Rogue Wave · 23 November 2009, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Billy - thanks unfortunately I am not old enough to qualify for Saga - they won;t even let me put my DOB in! I do like that emergency driver cover.

Bloody Kids!

Erin · 24 November 2009, 11:42

Would she not be covered by the policy of the car she's borrowing. They usually allow other drivers to drive with 3rd party cover under permission of the owner.

willfinch36 · 24 November 2009, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Would she not be covered by the policy of the car she's borrowing. They usually allow other drivers to drive with 3rd party cover under permission of the owner.

No, you need to have your own policy that allows you to drive other cars 3rd party.

The person + the car has to the covered

PeterM · 24 November 2009, 11:56

Most insurers have been trying to remove the driving other cars extension as it has been used ( a lot) by 17 year olds insuring a group 1 car but then driving ' a mates' group 20 + car.

Usually additional drivers are not given the extension to drive other cars - just the policy holder gets it. The correct way is to add the driver to the policy of the car being driven , but you wont be covered automatically for this unless you have an ' any driver' policy - which are usually for clear reasons more expensive or only given on commercial policies.

John Kennett · 24 November 2009, 13:54

Driving other cars is something that seems to be stealthily disappearing from insurance policies. Don't assume you have it unless you have checked the small print!

If you don't have it on your policy then separate short term cover from someone like dayinsure.com might be the best way to cover odd days. It's comprehensive cover too.

Poly · 24 November 2009, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Driving other cars is something that seems to be stealthily disappearing from insurance policies. Don't assume you have it unless you have checked the small print!

If you don't have it on your policy then separate short term cover from someone like dayinsure.com might be the best way to cover odd days. It's comprehensive cover too.

Thanks - it was double checking the small print that made me realise there was an 'issue'. Thanks for the dayinsure.com link - it would always be my preference to add anyone I planned to drive my car on the insurance, and likewise if I/we need to drive someone else's car... I've found in the past that you can usually add over 25's with clean license etc for no extra cost for a few days. Bizzarely not everyone seems that bothered about adding me to there insurance if required - they must trust my driving more than me!

its just for those shit-hits-the-fan and need to drive someone else's car right now moments. I was aware that policies were increasingly cutting out/restricting this cover, and wasn't quite sure if spouses had originally been covered for other cars - looks like it wasn't (unless I want to marry a 50 yr od

). So whilst I'm not jumping for joy I'm happy enough that my (Esure) policy is no more restrictive than most and certainly less restrictive than many.

paul holder · 25 November 2009, 10:48

look down the web there are brokers who specilise in one offs .i have one for the landrover .dont bother with the likes of churchill

Richard B · 25 November 2009, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul holder

look down the web there are brokers who specilise in one offs .i have one for the landrover .dont bother with the likes of churchill

Do these brokers you find on the web pay out?

Do they handle claims efficiently and promptly?

Churchill, Esure, Direct Line and other RBS motor insurers do. So do Admiral group companies. I'm also pretty confident about LV and More Than.

HUMBER P4VWL · 25 November 2009, 11:54

Many insurers are removing the third party on any car as obviously their risk is increased.

Most only offer it if you are the policyholder and are fully comp.

some then stipulate an age, so over 25 for example.

Some have removed it altogether.

Key is, CHECK!

Direct Line who i am with offer it still, been fairly with them and offer spousal discounts, family discounts etc for multiple car policies.