Mum Dies... SAGA Insurance Cancelled

Newly_retired

A few days after my father died, my son drove his grandad's car to a dealer and sold it. I suppose from what everyone is saying, technically he did not have the right to drive it or to sell it as he was not the owner, but it was on my mother's authority, ( a non-driver)and he gave the cash straight to her. It never ocurred to any of this that this might not be legal.

MrsTinks

You generally can't drive another car that isn't insured (so in this instance if the car has no owner due to a death and insurance has been cancelled) on your own insurance even if you are covered to drive any vehicle 3rd party. As newlyweds pointed out it usually states that the other vehicle must be insured and otherwise roadlegal for the 3rd party on your cover to come into effect.
I think one reason that when a person passes away the insurance ceases isn't because the insurance companies are insensitive - it's because if whoever drives gets a fine, crashes, etc there is no owner for the DVLA or police to go back to. Who's going to be responcible? Who's going to say it was taken with or without the owners permission? The owner certainly can't.
So how would the insurance determine whether to pay out if the car goes missing? It MIGHT have been stolen... or someone might have taken it with the family consent but who will be responcible for the car to make that determination?

I'm sorry to hear about your loss btw

MrsT