NCB and entitlement to drive others' cars...but don't own a car??

kloana

I have a little car, which I've had for 4 years. I used to use it daily, but have since dropped down to 1-2 times a week (non-essential travel).

When my sister passed her test, she became named on my policy, and used the car perhaps once a week, but often zero times a week.

I’ve since relocated closer to work and the town centre, and don’t need the car at all. My sister, however, has just relocated away from this area, and needs the car much more. So, we’re in the process of re-assigning ownership (I’m registered keeper) and refreshing the insurance (I’m the policyholder), as we don’t want to ‘front’ (I’m the older and ‘cleaner’ sister).

But this leaves me in a position where I have no car to own/insure, and thus no further NCB years. I got my year 4 certificate in January 2013, so as far as I understand it, these years will be ‘no good’ by January 2015 (or 2016?).

I’ll also be left without the entitlement to drive others’ cars. Although I’m an infrequent car user, the ‘luxury’ of being able to hop into my mum’s or my partner’s car whenever I want to (in reality less than once a month) is one I don’t want to lose.

I could of course become named on either or both of their policies, yet this doesn’t solve the NCB issue. Neither of their current insurers will honour ‘no claims’ for mere named drivers.

Although I don’t need a car at the moment, there may come a time in the next few years (after my current NCB years have lapsed) when I do need one. By the time my NCBs lapse, I’ll be 30+, and starting from scratch.

Is there any (legal, normal) way of keeping up with the NCB situation and, ideally, retaining the right to drive others’ cars on a 3rd party basis (all of my policies so far have conferred this right), without actually owning a car? I.e., if there any special insurance policy I could by, or even perhaps buy a scooter (may be a daft idea).

Or am I being ridiculous, and do I need to actually own a car in order to achieve this? That would not be an unfeasible option, as I can do this for c.£550 per year (inc. road tax and annual MOT), but it’s not as though I have bags of money

Quentin

As far as doc is concerned it probably won't cost much if anything in premium to be added as an additional driver on the others policies (though if done mid term expect an admin fee)

You cannot buy a phantom policy to keep your ncd alive, but think of the money you save not buying any insurance!

Your current ncd will be acceptable to most insurers for 2 years after you end your current policy.

There is a wheeze you could use in 2 years time. Arrange to buy a car off someone, buy a new insurance policy, then within the cooling off period cancel the policy (the intended purchase having fallen through).

Although there will be some cost involved, you should end up with the 2 year clock starting again from the date of the cancellation.

kloana

Quentin wrote: »

As far as doc is concerned it probably won't cost much if anything in premium to be added as an additional driver on the others policies (though if done mid term expect an admin fee)

Last time I did similar (joined another policy mid-term), just the admin fee was charged. So yes, little/no cost here I guess.

Your current ncd will be acceptable to most insurers for 2 years after you end your current policy.

Ah, so if it ends May/June 2013, as it sure will, my current NCBs take me up to mid-2015, not January 2015?

There is a wheeze you could use in 2 years time. Arrange to buy a car off someone, buy a new insurance policy, then within the cooling off period cancel the policy (the intended purchase having fallen through).

Although there will be some cost involved, you should end up with the 2 year clock starting again from the date of the cancellation.

Excellent, thanks.

Quentin

kloana wrote: »

Ah, so if it ends May/June 2013, as it sure will, my current NCBs take me up to mid-2015, not January 2015?....

When you end your current policy the insurer will send you a new ncd proof dated for the date of the cancellation.

If you just let your current policy lapse then the renewal notice you get prior to it ending will have your ncd on it.

rs65

kloana wrote: »

I’ll also be left without the entitlement to drive others’ cars. Although I’m an infrequent car user, the ‘luxury’ of being able to hop into my mum’s or my partner’s car whenever I want to (in reality less than once a month) is one I don’t want to lose.

I really wouldn't call driving other peoples cars on a TP only basis a luxury. It is a huge risk. Much better to be named on their's.

They may change insurers and you may earn named driver ncb.

kloana

rs65 wrote: »

I really wouldn't call driving other peoples cars on a TP only basis a luxury. It is a huge risk. Much better to be named on their's.

It's something I do very infrequently, as stated. In the case of driving mum's car, it is 'luxury' - her car is much better and much more reliable than my own. If I have to pop onto the motorway (very rarely), for example, damn right I'm hopping in my mum's car!

They may change insurers and you may earn named driver ncb.

Is there a list of insurers who are known to offer this? I think Direct Line do...at last check, their quote was really expensive for mum on her own. But not sure who else offers it.

Mum's and partner's current policies are both with Octagon, who I didn't think offer this (just checked - they do!), but on the proviso that the bonus will only apply against Octagon policies that the named driver may take out in their own right, in the future, and that the bonus may not be recognised by other insurers - is this common? Would be specifically looking for bonus that'd be accepted by any insurer, in theory. Or am I asking to have my cake, and eat it too?

rs65

kloana wrote: »

but on the proviso that the bonus will only apply against Octagon policies that the named driver may take out in their own right, in the future, and that the bonus may not be recognised by other insurers - is this common?

Quite normal.

starrystarry

kloana wrote: »

It's something I do very infrequently, as stated. In the case of driving mum's car, it is 'luxury' - her car is much better and much more reliable than my own. If I have to pop onto the motorway (very rarely), for example, damn right I'm hopping in my mum's car!

You do realise that you're only covered third party while you're popping onto the motorway in your mum's nice car? Are you happy with that level of risk? Can you afford to repay your mum if you damage/write off her car?

Personally I would only use DOC if there was no other option, or for a very short journey. I think I've used mine about twice in all the years I've been driving. If I was planning to pop onto the motorway in someone else's car I'd get proper cover.

Quentin

starrystarry wrote: »

You do realise that you're only covered third party while you're popping onto the motorway in your mum's nice car? Are you happy with that level of risk? Can you afford to repay your mum if you damage/write off her car?....

Why the superior attitude towards those with third party cover?

It's their decision. They are grown up!

starrystarry

I wasn't being "superior", I just think it's a big risk and I know a lot of people don't understand the limitations of DOC cover.

Quentin

starrystarry wrote: »

.. I just think it's a big risk and I know a lot of people don't understand the limitations of DOC cover....

Third party cover isn't just limited to DOC!

It's been around a long time!

How come you know all these drivers who don't understand what it means?