Tesco Insurance declined to cover 17 year old learner

frugalcoder

We've been with Tesco for years now on both cars. Our son just turned 17 and is learning to drive.

Today, I called up to inquire about adding him to the policy (which I was told should be possible when I took the policy out), but was declined.

Here's the story:
We traded in our 25 year old car (left hand drive, red convertible, 1.7, auto transmission) for a used Citroen C1, because that seemed like a suitable car for a learner to drive.

We don't drive much (5000 miles a year in this car), and 15000 in our other car. We don't intend to let our son drive to school/work, etc., as the car was bought as my wife's car.

Unfortunately, Tesco refused to insure, because we had considered our son's learning needs when purchasing the car. They insist on having him as the primary driver.

Because of this, we'll be moving our car insurance to a firm other than Tesco.

In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions as to a company that might make such a stupid decision? I've seen collingwoodlearners.co.uk as a way to get a separate policy for my son to use the car. Anyone used that?

lisyloo

because that seemed like a suitable car for a learner to drive.

This could be interpreted as you have bought a car for your son and not your wife.
Tescos are concerned about "fronting". This is where the young person is really the main driver but the parent is put down to save money. This is fraudulent and mis-represents the risk. I am not saying you are doing this, just that this is what Tescos may be concerned about.
I think you volunteered too much information about your selection criteria for the car.
If your wife is geuninely the main driver and your son is a really a main driver (be careful here if your wife does low mileage) then don't volunteer information about choosing a car for your sons needs as it starts alarm bells ringing for the insurer.
Be very careful in your selection of main driver as it sounds like the car is not used much. I am not implying anything here about your intentions, simply that it's important the risks are represented correctly and it's not alwats straighforward and clear.
For example one person doing 5 short journeys compared with somone using the car on 2 days for higher mileage. It's not always clear who the main driver is. If in doubt ask the insurer or use a broker.

frugalcoder

lisyloo wrote: »

It's not always clear who the main driver is. If in doubt ask the insurer or use a broker.

In our case, it will definitely be clear who the main driver is, and it won't be our son. I can't believe that by buying a sensible, high mpg, small engined car, the insurer's assume it's for him.

They say they're asking the questions, because they've been invalidating insurance, because of this 'fronting'. So, by not volunteering the information, I assume the would have wiggled out of any cover in any case.

Like I said, I need to find a new insurer, as they weren't willing to listen to any form of reason.

vusys1

at the moment some TESCO consultants do not know how to inteript(spelling?) fronting. How can the son be the main user if only learning???

I have seen them cancel policys for fronting when the PH (mother) is 89 and Daughter (56) & the main driver due to mothers age.???

I would call them back and complain, you have called to add the son onto a car that you bought for your wife with a view to possibly adding your son at a later date to learn in.

they have no reason to decline on the basis of "considering his learning needs" if that was the case we should cancel all policys where the children of the policy holders are named due to fronting.

They have to have a definate reason to suspect fronting, who pays the tax,mot,insurance, who owns the car, etc. Im tired of cleaning up Tescos mess. Glad they going to be someone elses problem from now on

no-oneknowsme

So , has tesco cancelled the policy all together or have they just refused to allow you to add your son to the policy?

frugalcoder

They just refused to add him-car still covered, but that puts us in a bind for getting him insured as both cars are with them. To complicate things further, we'll be replacing the 10 year old car with a fuel efficient skoda when that's finally delivered. We ordered it in August; delivered in February if we're lucky.

So, I guess it's off to collingwoodlearners to cover him til he gets his license, and begin the switch when the new car arrives.

soolin

vusys1 wrote: »

at the moment some TESCO consultants do not know how to inteript(spelling?) fronting. How can the son be the main user if only learning???

I have seen them cancel policys for fronting when the PH (mother) is 89 and Daughter (56) & the main driver due to mothers age.???

I would call them back and complain, you have called to add the son onto a car that you bought for your wife with a view to possibly adding your son at a later date to learn in.

they have no reason to decline on the basis of "considering his learning needs" if that was the case we should cancel all policys where the children of the policy holders are named due to fronting.

They have to have a definate reason to suspect fronting, who pays the tax,mot,insurance, who owns the car, etc. Im tired of cleaning up Tescos mess. Glad they going to be someone elses problem from now on

Tesco do not have to have any reason for anything..if they do not want to insure they don't have to. Direct Line refused to quote for us as they don't like young people on a policy where there is a London address, maybe I should cause a fuss about that, or should i do , as I did, and get a quote elsewhere.

You cannot force an insurer to quote, just find someone who will.

AS for fronting, I think if you told an insurer that you bought the car especially as it was suitable for a young learner driver it would not be unreasonable to see that as a possible fronting issue.

bouncydog1

You also need to read the Tesco policy terms and conditions about early cancellation and charges incurred unless you leave the policies to run to renewal before switching.

Some insurers do have a policy of insisting that the risk is based on the youngest driver being the main user - we wanted to add our daughter to my husband's policy and got a quote from existing insurers who also insure her own vehicle, which is in her own name - she is 17.

I contacted another insurer for a quote to compare, explained the situation and was told that it was their company policy to always base terms on the youngest driver being the main user, so that no fronting issues arose!

I do think that you are going to have some difficulty in persuading an insurer that your son is only an occasional driver once he passes his test and get normal rates for the policy, particularly because of the type of vehicle. Be prepared for a high young driver excess and also a policy loading if you can find someone to quote. I would suggest that you have a word with a reputable broker to assist you in your search as they will likely have experience of placing this type of risk.

vusys1

soolin wrote: »

Tesco do not have to have any reason for anything..if they do not want to insure they don't have to. Direct Line refused to quote for us as they don't like young people on a policy where there is a London address, maybe I should cause a fuss about that, or should i do , as I did, and get a quote elsewhere.

You cannot force an insurer to quote, just find someone who will.

AS for fronting, I think if you told an insurer that you bought the car especially as it was suitable for a young learner driver it would not be unreasonable to see that as a possible fronting issue.

bet you he could get a policy online with Tescos by answering the questions truthfully and probably cheaper. Take out the human error factor.

UnicornGirl86

I was with Tesco for a while and also found them a bit unhelpful, but try Liverpool Victoria, they are quite young-person-friendly!

soolin

vusys1 wrote: »

bet you he could get a policy online with Tescos by answering the questions truthfully and probably cheaper. Take out the human error factor.

Yes but then you wouldn't be telling them that you bought a car that suits the young driver and his 'needs'. OP put in the human aspect, not Tesco who merely reacted to it.