Temp car on insurance

[TROOPER88]

I am sure it has been covered to the death but I am viewing a car tonight and will take out immediate fully comp insurance.

I will then MOT my existing car and get it ready for sale; all in should take a couple of weeks to sort. Naturally I need cover on this car to until sold.

Is the insurance company I choose likely to be able to add my existing car to the new policy just for a week or two?


Cheers

[johnpeat]

In my experience that would be a NO - you stop being covered on one car when you buy another.

Last time I changed cars the person I rang actually gave me a short lecture on how I would "not be covered on my old car from that moment forward".

Also - be prepared for them to charge you for changing your policy, it seems more and more common that there's a flat-fee (usually £20-30) for ANY changes (from your address to a whole new car).

[kambites]

If not, there are companies that will sell insurance by the month.

[zaphod42]

Some insurers offer an overlap cover note for a week/2 weeks, but they vary... need to talk to them as there is no standard.

[TROOPER88]

Thanks.

I had a look at the companies that offer short term insurance and its a rip off.
I was quoted more than my annual premium for 28 days!

[shaun442k]

johnpeat said:

In my experience that would be a NO - you stop being covered on one car when you buy another.

Last time I changed cars the person I rang actually gave me a short lecture on how I would "not be covered on my old car from that moment forward".

That's the complete opposite to what i've experienced. I usually phone them up a couple of days before and they'll insure me on both cars for at least one full day(I've done this 3 times now).

My current insurer will let me add a car that I own for a few days onto the policy as an extra car(that does not already hold insurance). OP, it's probably best to check with your insurer.

[eltax91]

Not that i'm suggesting this as a corse of action, bt if you were to swap your insurance over to a new car, wouldn't yo have 14 days (under distance selling laws) to cancel any new insurance policy you took out on the old car, for a full refund?

[Ari]

I did exactly this, spent ages looking for the right SLK so kept my MX5, then bought SLK and put MX5 up for sale, sold it in about a fortnight.

My insurance company (Direct line so pretty mainstream) were happy to provide cover for both cars during the overlap and quoted a for a months cover (I think it was about £35).

[snotrag]

Agreed with Shaun.

On more than one occasion I've had a second car added to my existing policy for a few days, usually to allow me to drive it home after purchasing it?

Was not a problem, insurer happy to do it, provided a cover note dated to show the details, and didnt cost much at all..?