Ex-wife named driver-cheaper premium - illegal?
Discussion
I left my ex-wife on my insurance as we often borrowed cars around service/MOT times etc.
This year, I realised we hadn't swapped cars for a while and thought it would be cheaper to remove her.
WRONG, the premium went up so I said leave her on.
So I pay cheaper premiums, the ex is insured but doesn't drive it (but is able to if she asks) so the insurer is exposed to less risk, surely?
Is this 'against their rules'?
This year, I realised we hadn't swapped cars for a while and thought it would be cheaper to remove her.
WRONG, the premium went up so I said leave her on.
So I pay cheaper premiums, the ex is insured but doesn't drive it (but is able to if she asks) so the insurer is exposed to less risk, surely?
Is this 'against their rules'?
All good points guys.
To clarify, she is my ex-wife but we still have a good relationship as we have two boys. Looking at the certificate, I haven't even changed her name to mine but as long as we could produce the marriage/divorce certificates then we would have been ok in the event of a claim. I'll make sure it's changed at the next renewal in January.
I guess if she was ever in difficulties and I was sat at home then I would lend her the car if she asked. She commented lately that I'm still insured on hers as well.
Not all divorces end in restraining orders!
To clarify, she is my ex-wife but we still have a good relationship as we have two boys. Looking at the certificate, I haven't even changed her name to mine but as long as we could produce the marriage/divorce certificates then we would have been ok in the event of a claim. I'll make sure it's changed at the next renewal in January.
I guess if she was ever in difficulties and I was sat at home then I would lend her the car if she asked. She commented lately that I'm still insured on hers as well.
Not all divorces end in restraining orders!
Update on this thread as my renewal came in.
I was amazed at the renewal price that came last week so called them to discuss, they dropped the price from £469 to £407 (47yo, 320D touring, quieter side of Aleppo it seems, considering the price).
I queried the issue about the ex and ex was not updated on the insurance as not being my partner living at my address any longer.
In the insurers interest, the wife living at the same address is likely to take on the share of driving, designated driver etc so the risk is lower than myself, single, living on own.
With this in mind, the premium shot back up to £478, but dropped slightly to £470 with her as a named driver.
I was amazed at the renewal price that came last week so called them to discuss, they dropped the price from £469 to £407 (47yo, 320D touring, quieter side of Aleppo it seems, considering the price).
I queried the issue about the ex and ex was not updated on the insurance as not being my partner living at my address any longer.
In the insurers interest, the wife living at the same address is likely to take on the share of driving, designated driver etc so the risk is lower than myself, single, living on own.
With this in mind, the premium shot back up to £478, but dropped slightly to £470 with her as a named driver.
dandarez said:
Trax said:
Fastchas said:
Update on this thread as my renewal came in.
I was amazed at the renewal price that came last week so called them to discuss, they dropped the price from £469 to £407 (47yo, 320D touring, quieter side of Aleppo it seems, considering the price).
I queried the issue about the ex and ex was not updated on the insurance as not being my partner living at my address any longer.
In the insurers interest, the wife living at the same address is likely to take on the share of driving, designated driver etc so the risk is lower than myself, single, living on own.
With this in mind, the premium shot back up to £478, but dropped slightly to £470 with her as a named driver.
So what happened? You took the ex-wife off, and it jumped back up to £478 from £407, but when you added her as a named driver, rather than spouse, it dropped to £470?I was amazed at the renewal price that came last week so called them to discuss, they dropped the price from £469 to £407 (47yo, 320D touring, quieter side of Aleppo it seems, considering the price).
I queried the issue about the ex and ex was not updated on the insurance as not being my partner living at my address any longer.
In the insurers interest, the wife living at the same address is likely to take on the share of driving, designated driver etc so the risk is lower than myself, single, living on own.
With this in mind, the premium shot back up to £478, but dropped slightly to £470 with her as a named driver.
If thats the case, then spouse reduces policy more than a named driver, which makes sense on a risk basis. Of course, they dont ever have to drive, despite some people pretending they know what they are talking about saying they do.
However, as it seems the renewal shot up in price, hence op phoning insurer, begs the question (especially in today's market), why on earth did he not 'shop around'?
I do it annually now if needed. Renewal comes in (higher, naturally, always!). Get in touch, what's the reason for the hike, nothing has changed except (in my favour) I have another year's no claim? So, what's the best you can do? If lowered enough, fine, go ahead. If not, I'm off to shop around. I have always got a sometimes substantially better deal if my insurer won't drop it enough. Insurers don't care, they know the next one along will pay for what they lose with me!
Insurers also know the majority will just carry on, hence the renewal magic line, you 'don't need to do anything, so the money just goes out of your account' - what wallies!
I concede that a majority of motorists simply do not have the time, nor the inclination, to 'shop around'. We are all too busy leading hectic lives. But they are the same ones who complain about the cost of everything!
Mine is due in the New Year. The minute I get the renewal I will be on the phone (using their 'free' line, easily found if you have the time and inclination!). I'm betting it will have gone up at least a hundred quid or more. They just try it on. Because the know the majority will just sigh, moan, and pay up.
DON'T!
Direct line - £650
tesco - £780(!)
Compare Meerkat - cheapest quote was £680 (can't remember the insurer but nobody I'd heard of)
Looks like I'll be going back to Churchill then!
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff