Car insurance - named drivers driving to work

RichardHowells

Just renewing with Saga. Noticed that "The vehicle cannot be used to travel to and from work, other than by you and your spouse/domestic partner".

It is the first time I have noticed this although maybe it has been there before and I missed it. Is it a common restriction? I always assumed that a named driver (say) the daughter, could use my car to get to her work.

AdrianC

Think about the demographics of your typical Saga policyholder. The named drivers are most likely young adult kids who haven't yet left home. If they're commuting in the car, that's prime fronting territory.

If that doesn't suit you, don't renew - plenty of other insurers out there.

Aretnap

It's fairly common for the business use part of the policy to make the distinction - typically "Business Class 1" covers the policyholder and spouse only while "Business Class 2" covers all named drivers (and depending on the insurer, the named drivers might all have to work in the same type of business).

I can't recall encountering it in respect to commuting cover though - I don't think it's a common restriction. It could be an anti-fronting clause as AdrianC suggests - if your son/daughter is regularly using the car to get to work there's a good chance that they're actually the main driver. Still a pain if they need to use it to commute once in a blue moon though.

RichardHowells

I'm Ok with the restriction for my own circs. Naming either son or daughter as a driver gave a price hike I'm not willing to accept. So it cannot arise for me.

Completely agree with AdrianC that fronting is wrong. Also agree with Aretnap that blocking "If I book my car in on Monday can I use yours?" could be a deal breaker.