Car insurance, fully comp newbie, help please!

Tina20

I've been driving 3 years and 21yrs old. I recently purchased car insurance fully comp, as previously I could only afford 3rd party. I have 1 years no claims (was a named driver first 2 years)

I heard a while ago that fully comp covers the driver, not just the vehicle, so am I covered to drive certain other vehicles?

I'm just wondering because I need a van, and wondering whether or not I should hire a van for a week or purchase 1 weeks short term insurance to drive a family members van. BUT if I'm fully comp does that mean I'm insured to drive this van anyway? Or is it only certain vehicles? Or is it only certain journeys? Or am I totally incorrect?

scottishblondie

Check with your insurer, but it's unlikely that you're covered - most insurers that offer this limit the cover to people over the age of 25, and even then it is usually only 3rd party cover.

It will likely be cheaper/easier to get a hire van.

mildred1978

scottishblondie wrote: »

Check with your insurer, but it's unlikely that you're covered - most insurers that offer this limit the cover to people over the age of 25, and even then it is usually only 3rd party cover.

It will likely be cheaper/easier to get a hire van.

I don't think there are many companies will hire vans to under 25s.

bouncydog1

Read what your insurance certificate says. If you are covered to drive other vehicles it will say so. If you are unsure then you could either post the wording on here or ring and ask your insurer. Also remember to read the policy conditions in conjunction with the certificate.

Lots of fully comp policies don't even provide driving other cars cover now and even if they do it's third party only, which means that you would have to pay for any damage to the van.

Either hire, purchase short term cover if you can get it, or ask the family member to drive for you.

Tina20

Thanks guys, great advice.

Yeah my problem is the limit for van hire is 23/25yrs unless you want to pay a hefty young drivers fee. It's looking like about £400 to hire a van.
Will take a look at short term insurance and see if that's a good option.

Thanks!

thenudeone

Also check your licence covers you to drive the size of van you want.
A Transit van or similar will be okay but you may need category C1 to drive anything much bigger.

mikey72

Driving other vehicles no longer exists, even over 25 it's normally driving other cars, which excludes vans, and car derived vans

forgotmyname

It used to be normal but this is something they clamped down on over time.

Under 25 then unlikely. Even if over 25 you need to double check. Mine now states the other vehicle must be insured by the owner/keeper and not belonging to someone in my household.

Lots of pitfalls. And dont forget its 3rd party only, So any damage you cause to it will be out of your own pocket.

mikey72

forgotmyname wrote: »

It used to be normal but this is something they clamped down on over time.

Under 25 then unlikely. Even if over 25 you need to double check. Mine now states the other vehicle must be insured by the owner/keeper and not belonging to someone in my household.

Lots of pitfalls. And dont forget its 3rd party only, So any damage you cause to it will be out of your own pocket.

Who's that with? I haven't seen other vehicle for years.

rs65

mikey72 wrote: »

Who's that with? I haven't seen other vehicle for years.

Mine says, driving other cars ... but ... For the purposes of this section only the definition of “car” includes a van under 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight

ps That's Aviva.

mikey72

rs65 wrote: »

Mine says, driving other cars ... but ... For the purposes of this section only the definition of “car” includes a van under 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight

ps That's Aviva.

Now if I hadn't sworn never to use aviva again......