2 car insurance policies on 1 car

cycloneuk

I am insured fully comp with one company and have been for 7 months (new driver) i have also started to use my car to deliver parcels as a courier. The company i work with offer a third party top up policy which covers me when I'm out delivering on behalf of the company.

I have spoke on the phone anonymously with a few insurance companies and none of them will accept this 2nd policy even though it's from a large insurance company and have said it will void any policy i have.

Tried to get quotes for fully comp courier insurance but no one will insure me since i have been driving less than 12 months. What is the likely hood of my insurance company invalidating any claim when I'm not working? since i use my car to carry out parcel deliveries.

System

It's hard to see why they would object. The two companies would be insuring different risks - what's wrong with that?

It's like having one travel insurance that covers Europe, and another that covers the rest of the world. It's obvious which one you are using in any particular circumstance, and equally obvious whether at any moment you are driving as a courier or privately.

Surely there's nothing in general insurance law that says you can't insure different risks with different companies?

vaio

another vote for "why would they object" and even "why would they need to know of the existence of the top up policy", it's not a question I've ever seen on a proposal form

You will need to declare the second job to your insurer.

Does the add on policy cover you when going to pick up parcels and returning from delivering them? and, are you happy only having third party cover whilst delivering?

rs65

I guess the mass market won't cater for courier drivers as an occupation. The OP, and his insurer, has no say or control over the other policy and whether it is in force or premiums paid. They could end up as RTA insurer.

Best to try a local broker or if you have any colleagues also using their car, find out who they are insured with.

forgotmyname

What did you put for the mileage and occupation on your cars policy though?

Does the extra policy cover your car and the goods or just the goods?

cycloneuk

My existing insurer doesn't ask what my occupation is, one of only a few that don't i think and no exclusions for couriers in the list of assumptions. I put 6k for mileage and will probably do 11k. Massive company though and they only do fully comp, i was unemployed when i took out the policy so they were the cheapest since all other insurers had a massive hike when i chose unemployed.

Top up policy covers me going to and from work and while out delivering parcels, clearly I'm not happy being third party only but have no choice, i only passed my test 7 months back and cheapest quote for courier insurance is 4k and found out i have to be driving for at least 12 months before they will insure me.

Couple of other companies quoted silly prices like 9k and more.

dacouch

It's to do with cross liabilities and Insurers being ultra conservative.

The Road Traffic Act could potentially make your Insurer liable for claims you cause whilst delivering. They could then try and recover the outlay from you but the chances of getting it are fairly small.

Delivering fast food is high risk for an Insurer as the drivers tend to get paid per delivery / get tips so they drive fast, try and find addresses so are distracted and have a habit of leaving the cars unlocked whilst dropping off.

The Insurer will worry that there will be some kind of claim whilst you're delivering and you lie to them to get the claim paid.

You also have the small chance that the other policy might not be in operation and your own Insurer ends up having to deal with the claim.

You have to remember that Insurers are very cautious and especially the staff. If they make a mistake and take on something that's a bit unusual and there's a large claim they could get a lot of grief as well as their company lose money. It's easier for the staff to say no than to take a risk and it come back to haunt them.

rs65

cycloneuk wrote: »

My existing insurer doesn't ask what my occupation is, one of only a few that don't i think and no exclusions for couriers in the list of assumptions.

Which insurer is that?

dacouch

rs65 wrote: »

Which insurer is that?

Hopefully not xs direct

cycloneuk

It's CO-OP, the quote form is also quite short compared to most, they only do fully comp.

rs65

The Co-op do ask for occupation.