Main user and named driver question .

murf

A quick question,, my neighbours husband passed away yesterday and he was the named driver on their car she being the 2nd user she is now worried that she will not be covered to drive the car today (which she needs to)... we will get in contact with her insurance company tomorrow and swap her over if we have too .. so its just today is the worry ..
Anyone know where she stands ... thanks in advance ..murf

poet123

If she is a named driver then she is fully entitled to drive the car,as her driving history would have been taken into account when the premium was calculated. She would need to tell the insurers the main policy holder has died though as soon as possible,and have the insurance transferred into her name. Hope this helps.

jack_spratt_2

I suggest you contact the insurance company tomorrow and get the policy changed into her name the premium is based on the policyholders details with an additional driver .
I am not suggesting any reasonable insurance company would make an issue of this but it has to be done at some point and its better to do it now

poet123

jack_spratt wrote: »

I suggest you contact the insurance company tomorrow and get the policy changed into her name the premium is based on the policyholders details with an additional driver .
I am not suggesting any reasonable insurance company would make an issue of this but it has to be done at some point and its better to do it now

Does this imply that there is a problem with her driving the car? because there really isn't. Her driivng history will have been factored into the premium, so it is not a problem. Although obviously the change in circs needs addressing asap.

jack_spratt_2

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jack_spratt_2

No but it is a material fact and it depends on how pedantic the insurance company would be .
There is one thing I have learned when dealing with insurance companies never assume anything

poet123

If there was an issue with named drivers driving there would be no point in having them,nor disclosing their driving history at the point oF buying a policy. It is only a material fact in that the circs have changed,it is not material in relation to her legally being able to drive the car today. That is not in question,she is legally insured to drive that car.

jack_spratt_2

I think you are missing the point the premium is based on the policyholder age occupation etc the additional driver is a secondary amendment that is why you will get parents insuring there children's car with the parents as the main driver and the children as additional drivers its because it costs less !! and is in fact illegal .
Also you will probably notice it will state on the proposal form are you the registered keeper of the vehicle I doubt if the vehicle has been registered in her name and this will need to be changed as well

poet123

No, you are missing the point. The OP asked if her friend could legally drive the car today,given that she is only a named driver. The unequivocal answer to that question is yes. The point you make re young drivers is only appropriate if an attempt was being made by the drivers to use one driver as a "front" whilst in reality the main driver (that is the one doing most mileage)was not the policyholder. That is clearly not the case here,and so has no relevance,nor has the identity of the registered owner of the car.

Blackpool_Saver

I really would not split hairs about this, it is a material fact change and therefore to be on the safe side report it asap.............

jack_spratt_2

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

I really would not split hairs about this, it is a material fact change and therefore to be on the safe side report it asap.............

Spot on !! I do not know why poet123 is getting hot under the collar as fundamentally we agree
Do not forget she may also want to add an additional driver on her policy now or if not the it may reduce the premium and she will receive a refund