Best way of placing a 2nd driver on my insurance policy for a week

cepheus

I am taking my car to Ireland in July and wish to place another person as a 2nd driver for the week so I don't need to do all of the driving. My insurance broker keeps me waiting on a 0870 for an hour and then tells me they haven't got a reply from the insurer. They also seem to ignore the Emails I send them. They seem rather useless and would dread making a claim.

Is is possible to arrange cover with any insurer for this short time? The other persons insurance is under a family member but is a bus driver. Perhaps I should just change the insurer, if there usually a penalty for closing the policy before the year out?

Jo6673

which insurance co has your broker put you with
you can go to another broker- with your policy no. and ask them to handle your policy from now on. Your new broker can ask for an agency transfer and arrange your amendment at the same time.
I think you are being fobbed off by the broker not the insurer!

Andy_L

http://www.dayinsure.com/

is another option

Jo6673

I work for NU motor! What I am getting at is that this person is being fobbed off by the broker- who is providing a "service".
If the OP replied, I'd have been able to help(if they come back on or PM me I still can)- Day insure is a good option that we do but the cheaper option would be to add this driver to the current policy.
If the broker is messing them about they should go elsewhere!- there is no problem taking the policy with them- i deal with these day in day out!

cepheus

Thanks for responding so quickly, I may change brokers as you suggest.

cepheus

Jo6673 said

you can go to another broker- with your policy no. and ask them to handle your policy from now on

My broker is currently Bedford, underwiter is AXA insurance

I have just compared insurers on moneysupermarket, and esure and Sainsburies come out cheapest (slightly cheaper than my current policy). Are these underwriters or brokers which I could swap to easily?

Interestingly it suggests including an older driver on the policy could reduce the premium although I have not included his details yet

Is there anything to stop me changing the insurance totally including broker and/ or underwriter totally half way through a policy?

Would I need to contact Bedford or would the new company arrange the transfer?

Jo6673

Would I need to contact Bedford or would the new company arrange the transfer?

The new broker can arrange for this if you put it in writing- for them to send/fax/scan and email to AXA that you wish them to take over. Then AXA will send a loss of business letter to Bedford.

I am an underwriter and do these regularly- takes a couple of mins when a request comes in

I have just compared insurers on moneysupermarket, and esure and Sainsburies come out cheapest (slightly cheaper than my current policy). Are these underwriters or brokers which I could swap to easily?

These quotes are 'direct' quotes- basically you'd set them up yourself online without the services (or charges) of a broker- but these policies usually have higher excesses, more small print and are harder to claim from. Both are underwriten by major insurers. Esure underwrites Sainsbury's actually and Halifax! Norwich Union underwrite Asda, Barclays, Lloyds. Tesco's is RBS/Direct Line!

Is there anything to stop me changing the insurance totally including broker and/ or underwriter totally half way through a policy?

No not at all, you'd get a pro rata return premium (refund), but you'd start this years No claims discount again and lose the last few months- so if you are nearer this years renewal than last- I'd hang fire til the next one and gain another years bonus

Interestingly it suggests including an older driver on the policy could reduce the premium although I have not included his details yet

Insured and one named driver policies are always cheaper than insured only as the driving is shared as is insured and spouse as people with partners are likely to drive more carefully if they have responsibilities with loved ones(apparently!)
Of course- this depends on claims and convictions history they may have.
Adding as a temporary driver though will be an additional premium- with us it is £10.50 for up to 14 days and £21 for up to 30 days. This is really only admin fees. But worth remembering that it not a daily rate so as cheap to add for a week or two as it is to add for a day!

Double check all the small prints and the excesses for claiming to really see where your value for money is.
Any more help you need- give me a shout!

cepheus

Thanks for your detailed answer Jo

So you are saying to avoid losing my years no claims (which is coming up to 10 years in September) I would somehow need to find a broker which uses AXA as the underwriter? I am not sure if it is possible to find a policy as cheap this way, perhaps a bit of negotiation could be used?

dauphin

I think you will need to stick with your AXA policy until renewal. Bedford charge some particularly exhorbitant fees, over and above anything charged by the insurance company, for any alteration or cancellation (they also charge for arranging or renewing policies). Hopefully by changing the broker whilst keeping the policy you will able to avoid these charges, although I suspect you may encounter some resistance from Bedford!
I reckon you may need to go to a local high street broker in order to get the personal attention required to arrange the transfer of the AXA policy.

Jo6673

cepheus wrote: »

Thanks for your detailed answer Jo

So you are saying to avoid losing my years no claims (which is coming up to 10 years in September) I would somehow need to find a broker which uses AXA as the underwriter? I am not sure if it is possible to find a policy as cheap this way, perhaps a bit of negotiation could be used?

Ye, most brokers deal with the biggies (Axa, Norwich Union, Zurich and Fortis) - go for a small independent one if you can, some add fees to the premium as well as taking commission and good broker connections with the insurer usually means they have discounts available or can persuade cheaper premiums- thats my role at work, to keep good broker relationships and we have deals with certain brokers and are flexible with them all to an extent to keep the business.
A good broker will get you a deal for moving your house insurance to them as well and there's further discounts to be had for having both with the same insurer.
PM me your area and i'll see if I know any near you

Stay with Axa til September, just get an "agency transfer" from a new broker.
Is your bonus protected- over 5 years most insurers dont give any further discount so staying at 9 wont make any difference. But if its a long drop from 10 to 3 if you need to claim!