Thursday 6th October 2005

Insurers cut 'other car' clause?

Money-saving move to to hit second car owners

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Do you insure this and drive a Porker?

The insurance industry looks set to cost you more -- but not perhaps quite as you'd expect.

Norwich Union has become the first to announce that it's to scrap the clause, known as Driving Other Cars (DOC), that allows us to drive a second car with just third party protection. The move takes effect in January.

With police support, the aim is to remove the scam which allows owners of two or more cars to insure the cheapest one but use the more expensive one on a regular basis. You buy and insure a Polo, for example, but mostly drive the Porsche. It saves money, although you have to hope that the more expensive car doesn't get re-textured by contact with something.

According to Auto Express, abolishing DOC clauses is a move the insurance industry is discussing across the board. Meanwhile, NU has said that this won't affect existing insurers, only new ones -- until you renew.

The reports suggests that insurers Cornhill Direct, AXA, Sun Alliance and More Than could be pondering emulating NU's policy.

[PhantomPH]

So once again, its the acts of the b'stard few, who spoil it for the rest of us.

I have ALWAYS paid my insurance on time and on all cars I own. I have always felt reassured in the knowledge that if there was an emergency, I could leap into someone else's car and drive to hospital/garage/home, etc - not to mention the convenience of being able to collect Dad's car for him should it be needed.

I hate it when the few spoil it for the many.

[anniesdad]

Yet again, some hairbrain scheme to fleece money out of motorists comes to light.

I'm sorry but the clause, specifically says "a car not belonging to the policyholder or hired to the policyholder under a hire agreement...." or words to that effect.

This means you are NOT insured for your Lamborghini, Porsche, Ferrari and Pagani Zonda, if you ARE insured on your BL Mini with a DOC. Or are they saying that the insured owns and registers the Mini and his Wife, owns and registers the others but doesn't insure them?

[viggen114]

So if I wish to sell my car privately and you come round to test drive it


You cannot................

Sold as seen then or you can test drive the passenger seat

[anniesdad]

viggen114 said:

So if I wish to sell my car privately and you come round to test drive it You cannot................ Sold as seen then or you can test drive the passenger seat

Car parks only it looks like.

[Scraggles]

Have to admit when sold last car to some guy from Bradford, whilst living near heathrow, I was the one driving. Drove round the local estates, but never in 5th gear as it was er slipping every time I used it.

Got knocked from several hundred to about 450 quid, which was about 500 more than it was worth and the guy went away with a good deal.

Had he used 5th gear, it would have popped right out, but sold as seen on the sale, seems he was a trader looking for a good deal

[corozin]

This must be a prank. Who would insure a Polo and then drive thier Porsche under third party only cover?

What would you do if the Porsche was stolen? Or driven into?

I guess NU will change thier stance if enough policyholders just decide to renew elsewhere...

[tinman0]

I've done a bit of asking around, and I'm concluding that the only company that offered 18yo third party cover on other cars was (DRUM ROLL) Norwich Union.

Everyone else only allows it for 25+.