Insurance Question

[tony wright]

Son is in the Army and booked his VW transporter in for a service at my home town on Tue. He has to return to base on Sun evening (1hr 20min away) so he’s going to take my car back so I can drop his van off at the garage. We both have “drive other cars“ on our insurance policies so just going to swap them and drive, but not a 100% sure it’s okay and aware it only covers us third party, good idea or not?

[kiethton]

One thing you need to check is whether a transporter is classed as a car or commercial vehicle - may limit your ability to drive it

Other than that, as you say it’s 3rd party liability only. If either of you crash either vehicle into a tree, that’s on you.

[Gary C]

My insurance allows people to be put on the insurance temporarily, probably the best bet.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

As said, driving other cars is unlikely to cover a van.

[SS2.]

Check your respective policies for car > van and van > car DOC cover.

For instance, one of our policy documents says this - for the purposes of this section only (Driving other cars), the definition of 'car' includes a van under 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, subject to the limitations of use as defined on the motor insurance certificate.'

[Pica-Pica]

You will not get an answer on here, except that you will need to read the precise details of the policy, not just an insurance certificate or insurance statement.

[C350Akra]

Talk to your insurance company/ies. It is often possible to add a named driver at no, or little, cost, then you are both covered on each others cars all the time.

[tony wright]

Thanks for replies. Turns out when we went to double check my sons insurance he had put his Mam on his policy, so she is fully comp and will drive the van. He will still take my car and only do the two journeys, home to camp and back again next weekend driving very carefully.

[scarble]

some also say "in emergencies" without specifying any more what kind of emergencies might qualify..

[TwigtheWonderkid]

scarble said:

some also say "in emergencies" without specifying any more what kind of emergencies might qualify..

None of them actually say "emergencies". Insurance company staff will often tell you it's for emergencies only, but that's meaningless, and total nonsense. You have a written contract, and as the contract doesn't mention emergencies, it doesn't apply.

[grumpyscot]

My insurance (LV) specifically says that I can drive another vehicle TPO, but not if owned by a member of the family. My son's (Direct Line) says similar. So we just insure ourselves on each others vehicles - and it doesn't cost us any more on the premiums.

[SS2.]

grumpyscot said:

My insurance (LV) specifically says that I can drive another vehicle TPO, but not if owned by a member of the family. My son's (Direct Line) says similar.

That's very vague.

What is the exact wording ?

[QBee]

I had to add my 33 year old daughter onto my wife's Saab policy when the daughter's Motability car got a nail in its tyre 15 minutes before she was due to go to the other side of the country. Direct Line added her permanently, no charge, whereas they would have charged for one week.

[tony wright]

Sorry back again. Both car and van hardly driven so no problem with 3rd party only insurance. Still another two weeks to go before his van is repaired so decided to add him to my Direct Line insurance Policy. Unfortunately it asks for speeding offences for the last five years. He has had six points in the past, but he’s not sure how long ago they were issued. Nothing shows on his licence through the Gov site checker, so is there a way to check how long ago they were issued, along with there codes?

Sorry, edited to say his service didn’t happen due to the garage finding excess oil in the Bi turbo, so he’s now facing a £2.5k bill for replacement . Hence the next two weeks.

Edited by tony wright on Thursday 15th October 21:29

[Sheepshanks]

grumpyscot said:

My insurance (LV) specifically says that I can drive another vehicle TPO, but not if owned by a member of the family.

Wife and I both have LV= policies and neither of them say anything like that.

[SS2.]

Sheepshanks said:

grumpyscot said:

My insurance (LV) specifically says that I can drive another vehicle TPO, but not if owned by a member of the family.

Wife and I both have LV= policies and neither of them say anything like that.

Clarification on that was requested earlier in the thread, but I don't think any has been forthcoming.

Until it's confirmed, I'll calling bks..

[CanAm]

SS2. said:

Sheepshanks said:

grumpyscot said:

My insurance (LV) specifically says that I can drive another vehicle TPO, but not if owned by a member of the family.

Wife and I both have LV= policies and neither of them say anything like that.

Clarification on that was requested earlier in the thread, but I don't think any has been forthcoming.

Until it's confirmed, I'll calling bks..

My own policy has no such restriction, but I have seen such wordings in the past, usually referring to members of the family living with you.

[andburg]

tony wright said:

Sorry back again. Both car and van hardly driven so no problem with 3rd party only insurance. Still another two weeks to go before his van is repaired so decided to add him to my Direct Line insurance Policy. Unfortunately it asks for speeding offences for the last five years. He has had six points in the past, but he’s not sure how long ago they were issued. Nothing shows on his licence through the Gov site checker, so is there a way to check how long ago they were issued, along with there codes?

Sorry, edited to say his service didn’t happen due to the garage finding excess oil in the Bi turbo, so he’s now facing a £2.5k bill for replacement . Hence the next two weeks.

Edited by tony wright on Thursday 15th October 21:29

they get removed after 4 years, without paperwork best he can do is look at his current insurance schedule as it should all be detailed on that providing he declared them

[tony wright]

He’s home this afternoon so it will have to wait, thanks.