insurance on a 2nd car...

[mdowning]

My insurance policy covers me to drive other cars 3rd party.

If I were to buy a second (v cheap) car as a runaround, which I would only ever take out a 3rd party policy on, would I actually need to insure it at all? ...given that I'd be covered to drive it via my existing insurance policy.

Immediate issues that spring to mind are 1) renewing the tax and 2) if the car caused some 3rd party damage whilst not being driven (ie caught fire)

[V8mate]

mdowning said:

My insurance policy covers me to drive other cars 3rd party.

...which you don't own or have hired.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

V8mate said:

mdowning said:

My insurance policy covers me to drive other cars 3rd party.

...which you don't own or have hired.

+1, believe it also has to be insured by someone else. Unless its a Motor Traders Policy!

[TomHunnisett]

mdowning said:

My insurance policy covers me to drive other cars 3rd party.

If I were to buy a second (v cheap) car as a runaround, which I would only ever take out a 3rd party policy on, would I actually need to insure it at all? ...given that I'd be covered to drive it via my existing insurance policy.

Immediate issues that spring to mind are 1) renewing the tax and 2) if the car caused some 3rd party damage whilst not being driven (ie caught fire)

More importantly, 3) it's illegal to drive a car that doesn't have its own insurance.

From experience third party has proven to be more expensive than comprehensive on cheap runarounds so make sure you check both!

If you're looking at cheap runarounds, I managed to get a diesel Peugeot 205 for £400. Does a solid 55-60 mpg and has cost me only 4 tyres and an oil change so far....

[PHmember]

ALL cars have to have their own policy in place, even to enable you to drive it on your own insurance.

You will also have to start with no years NCD as it is a second policy - although some companies will mirror the NCD from your current policy.

[PeteG]

TomHunnisett said:

More importantly, 3) it's illegal to drive a car that doesn't have its own insurance.

No it isn't. It's just tricky because you can't leave it unattended on the public road, because at that point it becomes uninsured.

[mdowning]

Ok thanks, understood. Assumed there would be a clause in the policy.

So if I bought a runabout, (almost) anyone with a comprehensive policy could drive it straight home, except me.

[Paul Drawmer]

Sorry chaps there's been some crap posted.

Driving other cars third party refers to cover granted so that a policyholder (or main driver - depends on policy) may have TP cover to drive a car that they do not own. Most of the above posts are right on this. ie if you own the car, then you will need specific insurance to drive it.

The oft quoted 'ph fact' that driving other cars cover is only operable if that other car is also insured elsewhere is a myth. It may be that some insurers insist on it, but it not industry wide. Insurance companies are not all the same, they do things differently. However, having to have the other car insured elsewhere is actually unusual.

With all insurance queries; it is better to check your actual policy, ask your insurer, before getting misleading information from an internet forum.

[V8mate]

PeteG said:

TomHunnisett said:

More importantly, 3) it's illegal to drive a car that doesn't have its own insurance.

No it isn't. It's just tricky because you can't leave it unattended on the public road, because at that point it becomes uninsured.

I have that problem sitting out on my drive. I've bought myself a new car without first disposing of my old one. It's up for sale now - not one call in 8 weeks - but I'm dreading the conversation which will go along the lines of:

Potential Buyer: Can I take it out for a test drive, mate?
Me: Sorry, it's not insured.
PB: No matter, I'll take it out on my policy
Me: Yeah, but it's stll not insured
PB: No, it's fine; my policy has it covered
Me: Erm, no, in fact if you get stopped, you and I will BOTH be charged with non-insurance offences.

[TomHunnisett]

Paul Drawmer said:

Sorry chaps there's been some crap posted.

Driving other cars third party refers to cover granted so that a policyholder (or main driver - depends on policy) may have TP cover to drive a car that they do not own. Most of the above posts are right on this. ie if you own the car, then you will need specific insurance to drive it.

The oft quoted 'ph fact' that driving other cars cover is only operable if that other car is also insured elsewhere is a myth. It may be that some insurers insist on it, but it not industry wide. Insurance companies are not all the same, they do things differently. However, having to have the other car insured elsewhere is actually unusual.

With all insurance queries; it is better to check your actual policy, ask your insurer, before getting misleading information from an internet forum.

and Paul, who should he turn to for his insurance needs? NFU Mutual by any chance?

[herewego]

mdowning said:

Ok thanks, understood. Assumed there would be a clause in the policy.

So if I bought a runabout, (almost) anyone with a comprehensive policy could drive it straight home, except me.

No. Anyone who's policy says they can drive it, can drive it.

[mdowning]

I should have been clearer... ie, can basically drive it straight home without having to take out a new insurance policy

[V8mate]

mdowning said:

I should have been clearer... ie, can basically drive it straight home without having to take out a new insurance policy

No, you can't. Not if it's your car.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

mdowning said:

Ok thanks, understood. Assumed there would be a clause in the policy.

So if I bought a runabout, (almost) anyone with a comprehensive policy could drive it straight home, except me.

Nope, no-one could, unless it was already insured by someone else and the driver had the 3rd party on any car option with their policy!

[V8mate]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

mdowning said:

Ok thanks, understood. Assumed there would be a clause in the policy.

So if I bought a runabout, (almost) anyone with a comprehensive policy could drive it straight home, except me.

Nope, no-one could, unless it was already insured by someone else and the driver had the 3rd party on any car option with their policy!

Yep, but in the OP's case, as the vehicle owner, he can't deploy that 3rd party use clause.

[mdowning]

Ok. Understood. Sorry, it was a bit of an anal post, but I was just curious to understand what was technically acceptable. Solution is basically just sort out insurance before you take the car home ...that or arrange for ownership to transfer after I've driven it home

[PeteG]

V8mate said:

PeteG said:

TomHunnisett said:

More importantly, 3) it's illegal to drive a car that doesn't have its own insurance.

No it isn't. It's just tricky because you can't leave it unattended on the public road, because at that point it becomes uninsured.

I have that problem sitting out on my drive. I've bought myself a new car without first disposing of my old one. It's up for sale now - not one call in 8 weeks - but I'm dreading the conversation which will go along the lines of:

Potential Buyer: Can I take it out for a test drive, mate?
Me: Sorry, it's not insured.
PB: No matter, I'll take it out on my policy
Me: Yeah, but it's stll not insured
PB: No, it's fine; my policy has it covered
Me: Erm, no, in fact if you get stopped, you and I will BOTH be charged with non-insurance offences.

But, so long as his insurance doesn't demand it already has its own cover, it'll be OK - so long as you don't stop and go shopping partway along hte test drive...

[Paul Drawmer]

TomHunnisett said:

...and Paul, who should he turn to for his insurance needs? NFU Mutual by any chance?

Ah, someone who bothers to read profiles! Actually I try not to mention the company in my posts.
There are one or two real insurance experts on the forum, who know a lot more than I do about motoring and insurance law.

Petrolhead_Rich said:

mdowning said:

Ok thanks, understood. Assumed there would be a clause in the policy.

So if I bought a runabout, (almost) anyone with a comprehensive policy could drive it straight home, except me.

Nope, no-one could, unless it was already insured by someone else and the driver had the 3rd party on any car option with their policy!

Sorry Rich, you're perpetuating a myth. For most motor policies, the car does NOT need to be insured by someone else.

[vonhosen]

mdowning said:

Ok thanks, understood. Assumed there would be a clause in the policy.

So if I bought a runabout, (almost) anyone with a comprehensive policy could drive it straight home, except me.

Not almost anyone.

A lot of policies that allow you to drive other cars 3rd party require that the vehicle has an insurance policy relating to it, not all do, but a lot do. Anyone driving other cars needs to check their policy carefully. Two of my insurers this year changed their terms & conditions so that other vehicles driven on 3rd party cover now require that vehicle to be covered on it's own policy.

Edited by vonhosen on Saturday 9th October 18:18

[V8mate]

Paul Drawmer said:

TomHunnisett said:

...and Paul, who should he turn to for his insurance needs? NFU Mutual by any chance?

Ah, someone who bothers to read profiles! Actually I try not to mention the company in my posts.
There are one or two real insurance experts on the forum, who know a lot more than I do about motoring and insurance law.

Petrolhead_Rich said:

mdowning said:

Ok thanks, understood. Assumed there would be a clause in the policy.

So if I bought a runabout, (almost) anyone with a comprehensive policy could drive it straight home, except me.

Nope, no-one could, unless it was already insured by someone else and the driver had the 3rd party on any car option with their policy!

Sorry Rich, you're perpetuating a myth. For most motor policies, the car does NOT need to be insured by someone else.

Well, if news stories of car owners being prosecuted for allowing others to drive their uninsured cars are making bigger headlines than 'yer average Joe' having a detailed understanding of the small print of his insurance policy, which he changes every year to get the best price, I'd say that the insurance industry needs to do more to either equalise this policy feature or communicate it better.