Driving other car on full comp insurance and trader's policy

[hogfisch]

A seach on PH doesn't reveal the answer (although feel free to abuse me with name calling if this is in fact a repost).

The scenario:

- Looking to drive another car (a Rover Mini Cooper - I won't be the registered keeper / named owner) and be covered to drive the Mini by my comprehensive policy which I have on my main car.

- My comprehensive policy lets me drive another car with 3rd party insurance (a specific mention on my comprehensive policy that the other car (the Mini) needs to have own insurance)

- The Mini is a named car on a trader's policy (my father, who is also the registered keeper and named owner) and therefore is insured fully comp and will also feature on the insurance database

My questions:

1. Would I be legal to drive the Mini? i.e. is the Mini classed as having its own insurance as a named car on a trader's policy?

2. Would the Mini be insured should this car be left on the roadside? Whilst the Mini does not specifically have its own policy, as I have mentioned, it is included as a named car on a trader's policy (which ordinarily will insure the Mini fully comp)

I appreciate we may be getting down to grey areas within insurance T&Cs so might be a best bet all round to insure the car myself with a limited mileage policy, but would be interested to know the collective PH masses thoughts to the above.

[Defcon5]

Does the traders policy only cover the vehicle when it is being used for trade purposes?

[hogfisch]

Good point - would have to check but most likely.

[ctid]

The same question recently came up on another forum I visit. In that case though, the car had been driven and been in an accident. The driver was subsequently charged with driving without insurance and is now probably facing a ban.

[WeirdNeville]

If you are looking to make regular use of the mini I would suggest that it is sensible to be named as a driver on the policy covering that car, to rule out another layer of complexity.

When driving, your insurance will cover you but check T&C's and if in doubt phone them.
When Parked, your fathers trade policy should cover the vehicle as normal, but again, I would clarify with the insurance company direct if in any doubt at all.

Ultimately, any little mistakes could cost you 6 points, so clarify and be sure rather than trying to sail close to the wind as far as insurance is concerned.