Car insurance - no claims main driver

mikey72

Do the policy docs say main, or regular driver. Again, if the policy is different from the quote, which uses the term main driver, it's unclear. A regular driver is just that, not the main driver, and not an occasional driver. eg, I'm the main driver on my car, my wife is a regular driver, if my daughter was on, she's an occasional driver. As another issue, you can't use your wife's ncd, as the quote asks for the policyholders ncd. I would definately report the mess of their t&c's to the FOS, and possibly the FSA in this case, as it doesn't make any particular sense.

locky123

mikey72 wrote: »

Do the policy docs say main, or regular driver. Again, if the policy is different from the quote, which uses the term main driver, it's unclear. A regular driver is just that, not the main driver, and not an occasional driver. eg, I'm the main driver on my car, my wife is a regular driver, if my daughter was on, she's an occasional driver. As another issue, you can't use your wife's ncd, as the quote asks for the policyholders ncd. I would definately report the mess of their t&c's to the FOS, and possibly the FSA in this case, as it doesn't make any particular sense.

Policy says main driver and named driver. I dont have a copy of last years quote, just an email confirming I bought the policy, whichI believe was via moneysupermarket.

mikey72

locky123 wrote: »

............. Who earns the no claims discount entitlement on a policy? The regular driver earns the no claims discount entitlement on the motor insurance policy.......

So again, even the FAQ can't use the correct terms.</p>

locky123

Quentin wrote: »

Do the policy docs (wrongly) show your wife as holding NCD? If so there is the problem you have to consider as mentioned earlier post #25.

DOC = driving other cars (whereby you can drive someone else's car under your policy - third party only)

If your policy allows this they say so on the certificate, and name the driver - normally it's the policy holder, but RAC grant this to the main driver (irrespective of who is the policyholder)

I hear waht your saying, I didnt check last year. My fault, but you dont always do you when you not expecting soemthing different.

Quentin

locky123 wrote: »

...... I didnt check last year. My fault, but you dont always do you when you not expecting soemthing different.

Not a lecture, but motor insurance is so important, with truly massive consequences if you aren't properly covered, that you should always read the docs you get when taking out a policy. They always point this out in the letters they send with your docs.

It's up to you to make sure you end up with the cover you want!

I dont understand issue regarding used/unused...
Unused NCD is (usually) valid for up to 2 years, but your "old" NCD isn't "unused".

If you don't take out a new policy after ending one, then the NCD you have earned is "unused", and most insurers will let you do so if you take out a new policy in the ensuing 2 year period.

But your "old" proof you suggest using now was used when you took out a new policy 12 months ago.

(And you need to be very careful with swiftcover if you attempt to use your "old" NCD. They will ask you to explain the gap between the proof you intend to give them being issued 12 months ago and now. They are pretty ruthless if they spot an opportunity to void a policy in the event of a claim)

locky123

Quentin wrote: »

(And you need to be very careful with swiftcover if you attempt to use your "old" NCD. They will ask you to explain the gap between the proof you intend to give them being issued 12 months ago and now. They are pretty ruthless if they spot an opportunity to void a policy in the event of a claim)

In your experience do you consider which insurers will understand my situation and accept my 'old' NCD?

Sounds like I have to spend a lot of time on the phone again, and finding the relevant telephone numbers.

Quentin

A local broker may be able to arrange a transfer of the NCD with an insurer.

A couple of other alternatives to consider:

1)Just leave things as they are and your wife insures both cars.

2) (This might stick in your throat) Get your wife to do what you did - ie. take out an RAC policy with you as the main driver, then this time next year yoi will get the NCD back.

locky123

Quentin wrote: »

A local broker may be able to arrange a transfer of the NCD with an insurer.

A couple of other alternatives to consider:

1)Just leave things as they are and your wife insures both cars.

2) (This might stick in your throat) Get your wife to do what you did - ie. take out an RAC policy with you as the main driver, then this time next year yoi will get the NCD back.

1)So she is the policy holder for both cars and in theory the policy holder or main driver, depending on how it is deemed, gets to keep the no claims?

That still leaves with no claims in my name and probably previous will have expired.

Apparently NCD expires after 24mnths, from what date is the expiration taken?

I dont understand how NCD is recorded and validated. Is it correct/legal for me to use the RAC renewal showing NCD in my wife's name as proof to a new insurer?

2)I am not the main driver of this car.

Quentin

locky123 wrote: »

1)So she is the policy holder for both cars and in theory the policy holder or main driver, depending on how it is deemed, gets to keep the no claims?

That still leaves with no claims in my name and probably previous will have expired.

Apparently NCD expires after 24mnths, from what date is the expiration taken?

I dont understand how NCD is recorded and validated. Is it correct/legal for me to use the RAC renewal showing NCD in my wife's name as proof to a new insurer?

2)I am not the main driver of this car.

1) It will leave you with no NCD in your name. (Unless she returns to the RAC and you are the main driver for the next year)

Insurers will take unused NCD up to 2 years old from the date the last policy ended, though as already posted you don't have any "unused" NCD.

You can't normally use NCD in your wife's name to buy a policy in your name.

2) Can't you be the main driver for a year (just to get the NCD back in your name (ie. swap cars for a year)

locky123

Ok, spoke to swiftcover, sent/scanned my renewals from RAC and previous year, and they will accept my previous year NCD.

Purchased their policy, me as policy holder, wife as named driver, no claims in my name.

Thank you Quentin and others for helping and explaining.

But I still find it hard to understand why there is very little standardisation or regulation when it comes to no claims and whether it is attributed to the policy holder or main driver.

From my experience the insurance industry and regulator are making it more difficult to compare online and harder to speak to people.

I now know a little more and will be more carefull.