Does a car have to have insurance?

[aclivity]

My wife is giving her old car to her sister on the 1st of January, however she will be a couple of days (I think, may be a couple of weeks!) before getting rid of her old car. The car is taxed and ready to go, it just won't be insured on her drive whilst being sorted out.

I seem to recall that this may be an issue - something about permanent insurance required? What is the issue with this?

[MiniBeej]

If it's taxed it has to be insured. All insurers have to give you 14 days to cancel a policy (there will be a charge mind!) so maybe a 12 month policy and cancel (returning your certificate in plenty of time) once it's collected?

The other options are either SORN it or take the chance for the sake of a couple of days?

[Exige77]

A car must have continuous insurance or be Sorned.

[Riknos]

They changed the law, a year or 2 ago? That if it's taxed it has to be insured. So you'll have to sorn it, then re-apply for the tax 14 days later, pain in the ass and you lose money doing that though.

You could do this:

MiniBeej said:

If it's taxed it has to be insured. All insurers have to give you 14 days to cancel a policy (there will be a charge mind!) so maybe a 12 month policy and cancel (returning your certificate in plenty of time) once it's collected?

The other options are either SORN it or take the chance for the sake of a couple of days?

But they will charge you a cancellation fee - and if the NCB bonus is already in use, it could be a pretty hefty sum up front!

[Spanna]

MiniBeej said:

The other options are either SORN it or take the chance for the sake of a couple of days?

If you SORN a vehicle it doesn't have to be insured. If you plan on SORNing it whilst there is still plenty of tax left on it, return the tax disc for a refund on what's left. That part is actually a requirement now too.

SORN V890 Form: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

Return disc V14 form: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

You could probably do both of those online too. You may well get away with not bothering to do anything with it if the V5 has just been sent off and is currently being changed over.

[MiniBeej]

Riknos said:

But they will charge you a cancellation fee - and if the NCB bonus is already in use, it could be a pretty hefty sum up front!

Lucky I mentioned the charge then

Just an idea, personally, I would get the 'new owner' to get it insured for the sake of losing a couple of days, all problems solved. (and before anyone says anything, no the new owner wouldn't have 'insurable interest' before they 'own' the vehicle but no, they would never know for the sake of a couple of days)

[TooMany2cvs]

aclivity said:

My wife is giving her old car to her sister on the 1st of January, however she will be a couple of days (I think, may be a couple of weeks!) before getting rid of her old car. The car is taxed and ready to go, it just won't be insured on her drive whilst being sorted out.

Most insurers are happy to have a second car on the policy for a short overlap period - often, it's free for the first week or two, then a fairly nominal amount for the next fortnight. Ring 'em.

[Fleckers]

keep it off road and dont drive it

[mph1977]

to remain legal

- short term insurance

- new or old car as temporary additional vehicle on the insurance of the other vehicle.

- SORN

[bqf]

If you're not going to drive it anywhere, just leave it on the drive. Bloody nanny state - whats the worst that could happen?

[xRIEx]

bqf said:

If you're not going to drive it anywhere, just leave it on the drive. Bloody nanny state - whats the worst that could happen?

They flag it up as taxed but not insured, fine you £1000 and the car gets destroyed.

[mph1977]

bqf said:

If you're not going to drive it anywhere, just leave it on the drive. Bloody nanny state - whats the worst that could happen?

as has been pointed out the RK gets a criminal conviction,. 1000 gbp fine and the car is seized.

[bqf]

So, immediately the car becomes uninsured while taxed, some system or other recognises this and immediately sends a letter demanding £1,000 and people come round to crush the car? Is that what happens? REALLY?

[xRIEx]

bqf said:

So, immediately the car becomes uninsured while taxed, some system or other recognises this and immediately sends a letter demanding £1,000 and people come round to crush the car? Is that what happens? REALLY?

No, that's the worst that could happen. Like you asked.

[Dave^]

What happens when a car is traded in? Genuinely interested...

[mph1977]

Dave^ said:

What happens when a car is traded in? Genuinely interested...

to a legitimate and properly registered trader ? it;s subject to the rules that cover traders ...

[GC8]

xRIEx said:

bqf said:

If you're not going to drive it anywhere, just leave it on the drive. Bloody nanny state - whats the worst that could happen?

They flag it up as taxed but not insured, fine you £1000 and the car gets destroyed.

Not at two weeks, but I wouldnt go beyond four weeks. Car destroyed - are you sure about that?

[GC8]

mph1977 said:

bqf said:

If you're not going to drive it anywhere, just leave it on the drive. Bloody nanny state - whats the worst that could happen?

as has been pointed out the RK gets a criminal conviction,. 1000 gbp fine and the car is seized.

Criminal conviction? Are you sure about that?

[Dave^]

But how does “the system“ know that the car is between owners? V5?

[xRIEx]

GC8 said:

xRIEx said:

bqf said:

If you're not going to drive it anywhere, just leave it on the drive. Bloody nanny state - whats the worst that could happen?

They flag it up as taxed but not insured, fine you £1000 and the car gets destroyed.

Not at two weeks, but I wouldnt go beyond four weeks. Car destroyed - are you sure about that?

Just to emphasise once again.

It was a flippantly pedantic answer.