Motorhome temporary insurance - disallowed?
Discussion
I recently called my MH insurer to confirm something that I noticed in the insurance terms, namely that temporary insurance from another provider is prohibited. The agent looked into it and confirmed that all the underwriters they use specifically disallow the use of short term insurance for other drivers.
I pressed them on this, trying to discover the reasons and potential consequences (cancelled policy if it showed on MID?) and they couldn’t provide any more information other than saying that there could be a dispute between the insurers in the event of an accident as to who would be liable.
Surely this would simply be down to who was driving, and if it’s legal to have multiple insurers covering different drivers it’s nothing to do with them?
Do any PH’ers knowledgeable of the insurance world know if this is enforceable?
I pressed them on this, trying to discover the reasons and potential consequences (cancelled policy if it showed on MID?) and they couldn’t provide any more information other than saying that there could be a dispute between the insurers in the event of an accident as to who would be liable.
Surely this would simply be down to who was driving, and if it’s legal to have multiple insurers covering different drivers it’s nothing to do with them?
Do any PH’ers knowledgeable of the insurance world know if this is enforceable?
I am very far from experienced in this but;
Multiple insurances on one vehicle is perfectly fine. But in the event of a claim only one must be used.
Your insurers can't dictate who else has insurance on the vehicle.
I have drive other cars on my policy, do you need to tell them when I get in it?!? It's my policy.
Multiple insurances on one vehicle is perfectly fine. But in the event of a claim only one must be used.
Your insurers can't dictate who else has insurance on the vehicle.
I have drive other cars on my policy, do you need to tell them when I get in it?!? It's my policy.
Chris32345 said:
AlwynMike said:
Temporary insurance smacks of hiring out the MH to all and sundry. Something your Insurance doesn't want to happen as it may well be classed as a business.
This would be my guess as well with it being a motorhomeOP lends his motorhome to his brother and his sis in law for a holiday. They aren't covered on OP's policy, so take out their own cover on OP's MH. Brother prangs it. Brother claims on his policy. They fix MH. OP carries on as before.
Chris32345 said:
AlwynMike said:
Temporary insurance smacks of hiring out the MH to all and sundry. Something your Insurance doesn't want to happen as it may well be classed as a business.
This would be my guess as well with it being a motorhomeIt was actually a local request for a private MH/camper rental that brought to mind the clause in the terms, which I'd been meaning to check with the insurer but had forgotten about.
I don't intend to rent it out at all, but I'm considering offering it to trusted friends/family to use and would prefer not to risk my NCD should something unfortunate happen.
I'm also interested in the principle/legal position
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Chris32345 said:
AlwynMike said:
Temporary insurance smacks of hiring out the MH to all and sundry. Something your Insurance doesn't want to happen as it may well be classed as a business.
This would be my guess as well with it being a motorhomeOP lends his motorhome to his brother and his sis in law for a holiday. They aren't covered on OP's policy, so take out their own cover on OP's MH. Brother prangs it. Brother claims on his policy. They fix MH. OP carries on as before.
Hmm, thinking about it, maybe it's a get out of jail clause if someone is to use it for a holiday on temp insurance and has a prang in France that for whatever reason the temp insurer won't cover.
But, that isn't your, or your insurers problem. If the temp insurance is taken out against the vehicle and you aren't driving then it's the drivers' and their insurances responsibility.
As you aren't going to be lending (or renting) it out then it's nothing of concern, but it seems like insane arse covering that is touching on unenforceable by your insurance.
But, that isn't your, or your insurers problem. If the temp insurance is taken out against the vehicle and you aren't driving then it's the drivers' and their insurances responsibility.
As you aren't going to be lending (or renting) it out then it's nothing of concern, but it seems like insane arse covering that is touching on unenforceable by your insurance.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Probably right, but you have to ask, how will they know?
OP lends his motorhome to his brother and his sis in law for a holiday. They aren't covered on OP's policy, so take out their own cover on OP's MH. Brother prangs it. Brother claims on his policy. They fix MH. OP carries on as before.
Thanks Twig - exactly the scenario I'd envisaged. OP lends his motorhome to his brother and his sis in law for a holiday. They aren't covered on OP's policy, so take out their own cover on OP's MH. Brother prangs it. Brother claims on his policy. They fix MH. OP carries on as before.
Could they check the MID at renewal, see the claim, then refuse/cancel historically?
A Motor Insurance policy is a legal contract, no more, no less.
Like any contract ,the parties to the contract, request terms that are added into the contract and can choose to accept, negotiate or reject the terms requested by the other party.
Its usual to read the contract and, if you agree with them and, are willing to abide by them, then you sign the contract and it's agreed between the two parties.
If you don't agree with the terms you can either renegotiate the contract or, walk away.
So the insured and the insurer, enter into the contract and by doing so, agree to abide by the terms of that contract, whatever they are, which can include clauses or terms specifying that there can be no other insurers of the vehicle.
Once agreed by the insured, by taking out the policy, then that's what the contract between the 2 parties is.
Like any contract ,the parties to the contract, request terms that are added into the contract and can choose to accept, negotiate or reject the terms requested by the other party.
Its usual to read the contract and, if you agree with them and, are willing to abide by them, then you sign the contract and it's agreed between the two parties.
If you don't agree with the terms you can either renegotiate the contract or, walk away.
So the insured and the insurer, enter into the contract and by doing so, agree to abide by the terms of that contract, whatever they are, which can include clauses or terms specifying that there can be no other insurers of the vehicle.
Once agreed by the insured, by taking out the policy, then that's what the contract between the 2 parties is.
Gareth79 said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Chris32345 said:
AlwynMike said:
Temporary insurance smacks of hiring out the MH to all and sundry. Something your Insurance doesn't want to happen as it may well be classed as a business.
This would be my guess as well with it being a motorhomeOP lends his motorhome to his brother and his sis in law for a holiday. They aren't covered on OP's policy, so take out their own cover on OP's MH. Brother prangs it. Brother claims on his policy. They fix MH. OP carries on as before.
ResQ1 said:
A Motor Insurance policy is a legal contract, no more, no less.
Like any contract ,the parties to the contract, request terms that are added into the contract and can choose to accept, negotiate or reject the terms requested by the other party.
Its usual to read the contract and, if you agree with them and, are willing to abide by them, then you sign the contract and it's agreed between the two parties.
If you don't agree with the terms you can either renegotiate the contract or, walk away.
So the insured and the insurer, enter into the contract and by doing so, agree to abide by the terms of that contract, whatever they are, which can include clauses or terms specifying that there can be no other insurers of the vehicle.
Once agreed by the insured, by taking out the policy, then that's what the contract between the 2 parties is.
There's such a thing as unfair contract terms, whereby such terms would be deemed unenforcable by a court. I'm not suggesting this falls into that category, but it's a bit more complex than "the contract is the contract". Like any contract ,the parties to the contract, request terms that are added into the contract and can choose to accept, negotiate or reject the terms requested by the other party.
Its usual to read the contract and, if you agree with them and, are willing to abide by them, then you sign the contract and it's agreed between the two parties.
If you don't agree with the terms you can either renegotiate the contract or, walk away.
So the insured and the insurer, enter into the contract and by doing so, agree to abide by the terms of that contract, whatever they are, which can include clauses or terms specifying that there can be no other insurers of the vehicle.
Once agreed by the insured, by taking out the policy, then that's what the contract between the 2 parties is.
A couple of things -
Just because someone has comp cover doesn't automatically mean that they have "driving other cars" cover. It used to be a farily standard feature but it has been gradually being withdrawn - possibly with the cheapest on comparison sites leading the way as they cut cover to be the cheapest.. Before driving another car check that your policy actuallly has this cover or it could prove to be an expensive mistake.
Also, even if you have this cover does it cover you to drive a motorhome? My policy says "private car or van". Would a motorhome be classed as a car or van?
Anyway, motorhomes can be quite expensive so I don't think I'd like to rely on my "driving other cars" cover as it's only third party.
Here's the wording from my policy (which also explodes the "the other vehicle must have its own insurance" myth)..
Driving other cars
If your certificate of insurance says so, we’ll insure the
policyholder and/or the NCD holder to drive a private car
or van in the UK, if you don’t own it, it isn’t registered to
you, isn’t hired to you under a hire purchase or rental/
leasing agreement as long as:
• the owner has given you permission;
• you have the correct licence to drive the car or van;
• the car or van is registered and normally kept in
Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the
Channel Islands;
• any van doesn’t exceed 3.5 tonnes GVW (Gross
Vehicle Weight);
• the car or van hasn’t been seized or confiscated by or
on behalf of any government or public authority;
• you’re not covered by any other insurance to drive it;
and
• you still have your car and it hasn’t been stolen or
damaged to an extent it’s now a total loss.
Note: the cover is third party only so loss or damage to
the car or van you drive isn’t covered
Note: the cover is third party only so loss or damage to
the car or van you drive isn’t covered[
Just because someone has comp cover doesn't automatically mean that they have "driving other cars" cover. It used to be a farily standard feature but it has been gradually being withdrawn - possibly with the cheapest on comparison sites leading the way as they cut cover to be the cheapest.. Before driving another car check that your policy actuallly has this cover or it could prove to be an expensive mistake.
Also, even if you have this cover does it cover you to drive a motorhome? My policy says "private car or van". Would a motorhome be classed as a car or van?
Anyway, motorhomes can be quite expensive so I don't think I'd like to rely on my "driving other cars" cover as it's only third party.
Here's the wording from my policy (which also explodes the "the other vehicle must have its own insurance" myth)..
Driving other cars
If your certificate of insurance says so, we’ll insure the
policyholder and/or the NCD holder to drive a private car
or van in the UK, if you don’t own it, it isn’t registered to
you, isn’t hired to you under a hire purchase or rental/
leasing agreement as long as:
• the owner has given you permission;
• you have the correct licence to drive the car or van;
• the car or van is registered and normally kept in
Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the
Channel Islands;
• any van doesn’t exceed 3.5 tonnes GVW (Gross
Vehicle Weight);
• the car or van hasn’t been seized or confiscated by or
on behalf of any government or public authority;
• you’re not covered by any other insurance to drive it;
and
• you still have your car and it hasn’t been stolen or
damaged to an extent it’s now a total loss.
Note: the cover is third party only so loss or damage to
the car or van you drive isn’t covered
Note: the cover is third party only so loss or damage to
the car or van you drive isn’t covered[
Kiribati268 said:
I am very far from experienced in this but;
Multiple insurances on one vehicle is perfectly fine. But in the event of a claim only one must be used.
Your insurers can't dictate who else has insurance on the vehicle.
I have drive other cars on my policy, do you need to tell them when I get in it?!? It's my policy.
Its not illegal to have multiple policies, but an insurer can put restrictions on you as a condition of the insurance.Multiple insurances on one vehicle is perfectly fine. But in the event of a claim only one must be used.
Your insurers can't dictate who else has insurance on the vehicle.
I have drive other cars on my policy, do you need to tell them when I get in it?!? It's my policy.
You won't be breaking any laws, but you may find your insurance gets cancelled if you ignore the restrictions.
ResQ1 said:
A Motor Insurance policy is a legal contract, no more, no less.
Like any contract ,the parties to the contract, request terms that are added into the contract and can choose to accept, negotiate or reject the terms requested by the other party.
Its usual to read the contract and, if you agree with them and, are willing to abide by them, then you sign the contract and it's agreed between the two parties.
If you don't agree with the terms you can either renegotiate the contract or, walk away.
So the insured and the insurer, enter into the contract and by doing so, agree to abide by the terms of that contract, whatever they are, which can include clauses or terms specifying that there can be no other insurers of the vehicle.
Once agreed by the insured, by taking out the policy, then that's what the contract between the 2 parties is.
However it seems that in this case the contact is seeking to control the actions of a third party who is not party to the contract.Like any contract ,the parties to the contract, request terms that are added into the contract and can choose to accept, negotiate or reject the terms requested by the other party.
Its usual to read the contract and, if you agree with them and, are willing to abide by them, then you sign the contract and it's agreed between the two parties.
If you don't agree with the terms you can either renegotiate the contract or, walk away.
So the insured and the insurer, enter into the contract and by doing so, agree to abide by the terms of that contract, whatever they are, which can include clauses or terms specifying that there can be no other insurers of the vehicle.
Once agreed by the insured, by taking out the policy, then that's what the contract between the 2 parties is.
Bert
Kiribati268 said:
I am very far from experienced in this but;
Multiple insurances on one vehicle is perfectly fine. But in the event of a claim only one must be used.
Hmm...I think if there are two insurers they’re supposed to share liability and insurers don’t like that as it can be messy.Multiple insurances on one vehicle is perfectly fine. But in the event of a claim only one must be used.
Fire & theft claims spring to mind.
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