Two policies, one vehicle?

Legacy_user

This may seem an odd question, but there are special reasons.

I have a classic Landrover on a classic policy. My daughter would like to become a named driver, but the insurers will not insure anyone under 25 (she is 21).
I have obtained a quotation for ordinary insurance, covering her as a named driver, for a very reasonable price, comprehensive.

Would it be legal to accept this quote, but leave the classic policy in place?

My reasons are:
1) The classic policy is free. It is a multi-car policy, I have another classic car, and the premium covers any number of cars up to 5.
2) The classic policy has an agreed value, the ordinary policy would only pay market value.

Obviously I could only make one claim, and obviously if it involved my daughter I would have to claim on the policy that covers her. But for any other claim, including, most importantly, theft, the classic policy would be the better one.

molerat

Can of worms. If the vehicle is covered by 2 insurances each will only pay out their share of any claim so for a total loss by fire or theft etc classic policy would pay half of agreed value and other policy would pay half of market value less any excess from each insurer plus they would likely argue if either were responsible at all.

vaio

No reason intrinsically why you can't have two policies on the same car, the golden rule is read the questions/T&C and make sure you answer/comply

System

Many thanks. I suspected as much.
So she will have to decide how much she is willing to pay for the privilege, and I will have to decide how much I want to entrust my pride and joy into her hands.

thenudeone

There is no legal reason why there can't be two policies on the same car. In fact that's exactly what this insurance is: http://www.aviva.co.uk/short-term-car-insurance/

I wouldn't be too concerned about the two insurance companies arguing about paying out - most claims will be due to an accident whilst driving, in which case the relevant insurer will be obvious. Only if the vehicle is unattended when a claim incident occurs will there be any disagreement.

But keep both certificates in the car at all times. The police database can't keep full details of more than one policy at a time (although there will be an indicator that another policy exists). As long as you produce a valid certificate at the roadside, the vehicle can't legally be seized.

SimonSays

A question.

If your daughter smashes it up and writes it off. The comprehensive cover she has taken out will pay market value. Would you be happy with that? or would you claim on your agreed value policy and commit fraud saying you were driving?

System

I wouldn't be happy, but I wouldn't commit fraud. The loss of agreed value payout would just be part of the price of allowing her to drive occasionally.

(She wants to get in practice as a learner pulling a trailer, then go on a trailer course/test)

Actually the most likely loss of this particular vehicle is theft, and I see that as the most contentious between the two companies. If no one was driving or in charge, then is it automatically the last driver who takes the insurance risk?
Supposing she puts it away in my garage, is it my loss or hers?
If she drives to a horse event and I go as a passenger, and it's stolen there, whose risk?

I'm not actually too keen on the idea, but don't want needlessly to dampen youthful enthusiasm for driving qualifications. So I'm after information and advice before deciding.

InsideInsurance

Unfortunately its not that simple, you need to read the wording of both policies.

Many motor policies say they provide no cover if you have any other insurance in place. If one policy says this and the other doesnt then a theft claim would be dealt with under the one that doesnt.

The slight plus side is that it isnt a standard situation and so it is unlikely for a fire/theft claim that insurers would make investigations to find out if there is dual insurance or not. Of cause your daughter could be driving under the DOC extension of her own vehicle and so this sort of thing TYPICALLY isnt questioned too heavily.

thenudeone

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Unfortunately its not that simple, you need to read the wording of both policies.

That is always good advice (but is rarely followed).

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Many motor policies say they provide no cover if you have any other insurance in place.

I may be nitpicking, but YOU wouldn't, wouldn't you? The other driver would have a policy covering them to drive.

In my experience, policies usually say that if any other cover is in place, only a share will be paid.

For example LV's policy states:

5. Other insurances
If any loss, damage or liability covered by this insurance is also covered by any other insurance, we’ll only pay our share.

I think you are overstating the risk of problems. Duplicate motor insurance cover occurs very very commonly without their being massive problems.
Two examples:
-Insurance often extends full cover for the use of a courtesy car provided by a garage or repairer, yet the garage or repairer will almost certainly also have insurance allowing their customers to drive.
-Every time I drive my OH's car, there is duplicate cover for third parties. I am both a named driver on that car's policy and I also have DOC cover on my own policy.

Any attempt to completely get out of paying out would be difficult to defend if legally challenged.

Do you have any case law or ombudsman rulings to support your assertion?

System

thenudeone wrote: »

I may be nitpicking, but YOU wouldn't, wouldn't you? The other driver would have a policy covering them to drive.

Both policies would be in my name. She wouldn't be the main driver, just a named driver on the new ordinary policy.

Or does "main driver" have a special meaning in terms of insurance cover rather than actual driving?
Ie when I (main user) was driving it would be covered under the classic policy. But when she was driving, it would only be covered under (my) other policy. So to that extent it could be argued that she would be the "main" (only) person actually using that policy ?

SimonSays

WOuld she be driving the car more than you under the "Other" policy you want to get?

If so and your the main driver that is fronting.