Car Insurance Help

Cherrybmbshell

Hello everyone, I've had a quick scan through the last few pages but can't find anything that answers my questions so I hope somebody can help.

I'm 27 and I passed my driving test in July. My Grandad has just gone into residential care and has given me his car, a 2008 Toyota Auris.

I've done some searching for comprehensive car insurance and I'm staggered by the amount it's looking likely to cost. The cheapest I can find is £1,212 with Express Insurance (never heard of them) but that only includes personal accident cover, everything else is an optional extra plus there's a compulsory excess of £1500.

The cheapest that has more included as standard and a lower excess of £500 is £2,073. I'm at a bit of a loss because that's more than we can afford really.

Can anyone help me? I'm completely lost in this world of car insurance and have no idea what to look for as important and what is expendable on a policy. We want to be protected but we also can't afford so much.

Thanks in advance
Cath

bouncydog1

Is this now going to be a second car in the household? If so it might be worth approaching the insurer of the first car to see if they will give an intro bonus, although they may not as you have only recently passed your test.

Insurance is based on postcodes, driver experience, type of car etc.

At the end of the day your best bet is to contact an experienced insurance broker rather than trying to do quotes on the web as they will know the market and will likely have access to insurers that are only available through brokers.

Unfortunately as an inexperienced driver you are not going to get the cheapest cover and you may find that you would be better to sell the car and get a lower group one, which will help lower the insurance costs.

Cherrybmbshell

Thank you for your replies

It's the first car in our household and I don't live with my parents so would it be fraud to register it with them?

We don't have a garage and I know the price is driven up by us keeping it on the driveway and living in a 'poorer' area.

It has been suggested to me before that I put it under a parent's name and add myself on as a second driver but I'm not sure of the legalities of that?

Thanks again

Quentin

If you are the main driver, then you must be declared as such whoever's name is on the policy.

You can add named drivers irrespective of where they live (or even if they will never actually drive the car).

Most insurers need the car to be owned and/or registered by the policyholder.

Cherrybmbshell

I see what you mean. I've just re-done the quote on comparethemarket and Admiral, who quoted me £2,073 the first time, is now quoting me £1,616 with my Dad on as a named driver.

That's a massive saving so THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! :j

Quentin

If your Mum has a good history and a clean licence, see what difference she makes in place of your Dad. Mature females seem to get you more off your premium than mature males.

Bear in mind that even though the named drivers never drive, you need to keep their details up to date with your insurer (eg notify any accidents/incidents/convictions/notifyable medical conditions etc they have)

Cherrybmbshell

My Mum can't drive but thank you for the thought Quentin, and the advice about the named driver details

Exsi

Cherrybmbshell wrote: »

Hello everyone, I've had a quick scan through the last few pages but can't find anything that answers my questions so I hope somebody can help.

I'm 27 and I passed my driving test in July. My Grandad has just gone into residential care and has given me his car, a 2008 Toyota Auris.

I've done some searching for comprehensive car insurance and I'm staggered by the amount it's looking likely to cost. The cheapest I can find is £1,212 with Express Insurance (never heard of them) but that only includes personal accident cover, everything else is an optional extra plus there's a compulsory excess of £1500.

The cheapest that has more included as standard and a lower excess of £500 is £2,073. I'm at a bit of a loss because that's more than we can afford really.

Can anyone help me? I'm completely lost in this world of car insurance and have no idea what to look for as important and what is expendable on a policy. We want to be protected but we also can't afford so much.

Thanks in advance
Cath

Hi There
Like you I went with this Insurance due to the Quote Given For A new Motorbike, Been with them for last 3 years and been loyal, Had my Bike stolen in a Burglary last week, rang them for a claim( Took 48hrs to initate claim), so far I'm upto dealing with "FIVE" DIFFERENT COMPANIES SO FAR AND STILL NO JOY. Please take my advice stay away as they're not interested even had Excess protection and still waiting for their claims company ULR to send out but I could go on... basically they take the premiums and run. Hope this helps..
Si:)

nicjane113

Definately have the policy in your name so that you start to earn no claims bonus. (it is classed as fronting if you have it in your parents name and add yourself as a named driver).

I'm not sure if you live with a partner? but if you do it might be worth adding him on. My insurance went down by adding my partner on as they seem to think I'm less of a risk living with someone!

Also make sure the vehicle gets put into your name as if it is still in your grandads name you don't have any financial interest in it and shouldn't really be insuring it.

All quotes will be pretty expensive because you haven;t had a full licence long. Once you have been passed over a year and get some no claims bonus it'll come down quite a bit.

I would try a local insurance broker too as they can sometimes get deals that online comparison sites can't get access too.

Make sure that your excess is reasonable too. Can you afford to pay a big excess if you have an accident?

Lirin

Phone rather than online as well- I usually get cheaper quotes that way.