If I'm the only driver can I insure my Dad's car?

Sago

My father is 90 and is about to give up driving. I visit him frequently and have been named on his car insurance for a few years now so I can drive him around when I visit. He'd like to keep the car so I can still drive it when I visit. I would be the only driver then.

Ideally I will insure it, as it will be a lot cheaper than if he does - he pays about £600 at present.

Is there an insurer who will do this?

Thanks

BoGoF

Do you have your own car in addition to this one?

lisyloo

I don't think you can insure your dad's car.
Can he not insure it with you as the main driver?

Sago

Don't know - worth checking though. Thanks.

BoGoF

Is he surrendering his license, if so I doubt he could insure the car.

The reason I asked if you have your own car is that you couldn't use your NCB on this 2nd car so would it in fact be cheaper for you to insure.

BoGoF

PaulRichmond wrote: »

if you do end up getting insured ring lv because they have by far the best quotes!

A rather sweeping statement!

InsideInsurance

Some insurers will have issues with the fact it is your father that is the owner of the vehicle but in theory there is nothing to stop you insuring it.

You can do quotes with your father as the owner but for those insurers that refuse to quote it may be worth checking what their price would have been if you had owned it and then telephone them to see if they can do anything. Certainly when I had a similarish situation my insurer refused to quote online but on the telephone after a few questions did agree to insure. If you do this make sure you check the policy docs when they arrive to check that the amendment was made!

Also, as above, remember you can only use your NCD on one policy at a time so dont make the mistake of trying to use any NCD from an existing vehicle on it (though some insurers will do deals if you bring a second vehicle to them)

thenudeone

If you borrow a friend's car you are legally obliged to have third party insurance cover, and it would be a good idea to cover other risks as well, so that if it was stolen or damaged by a hit and run driver, your friend wouldn't be out of pocket.

So, there is definitely nothing in law to stop anyone insuring someone else's car as long as they have a legitimate reason and don't withhold any information from the insurer. That's exactly what the short-term insurance market exists for.

However, each insurance company can choose their own acceptance policies, and may be reluctant to offer standard cover if you're not the "owner" and keeper.

If you are going to be the main driver why doesn't he just sell you the car for £1 and transfer the car into your name, to solve the problem?

lisyloo

If you are going to be the main driver why doesn't he just sell you the car for £1 and transfer the car into your name, to solve the problem?

This is an asset and there may be other beneficiaries who have an interest.
Also at that age he needs to be careful to not fall foul of "deliberate deprivation of assets" legislation.
What that means is you cannot give your car away and then expect the local authority to fund personal care.
If he has long term care insurance or a house or loads of money to cover his care, this might not be relevant, but if local authority care ia a possibility in future then you cannot just give you assets away and then expect the local authority to pay. This is normally an issue with people trying to transfer houses to children but it could still fall foul.

Gloomendoom

In theory there is nothing to stop you insuring a car owned by, or registered to, someone else. My wife's car is not registered in her name.

The simplest solution, as some insurers are picky, is just to transfer the V5 to your name and register yourself as the keeper. Your father can retain ownership if he prefers. It would get around any potential problems with deprivation of assets legislation.
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Sago48

Thanks to all for the replies. I do have my own insurance and was aware of NCG issue. The registered keeper idea might be the right one. A someone said, transferring the car to me for £1 might raise some eyebrows in the family - he's got other assets, so the social issue around benefits and payments wouldn't arise.

It looks like I need to talk to some insurers and see what the most viable and cost effective option might be.

Thanks to all.