Get parents to drive uninsured car while travelling

guntherbuffalo

hi.

I am going travelling for 5 months, and rather than leaving my car sat on my parents drive for that time I thought I would get my parents to drive it every now and then to keep it ticking over to avoid all the issues that may come with leaving a car unused for 5 months.

If I leave my car at my parents, uninsured by me, can my parents still drive it if they have fully comp insurance that allows them to do this? Giving them third party cover on the car.

More importantly, am I ok to have my car uninsured while I do this? As the car isn't off the road, but when it is driven it is covered third party by my parents insurance?

Strider590

There are no issues with leaving it unused, my kit car sat entirely unused for over 6 years.

All you need to do is keep the battery charged or remove it completely and place it on a maintenance charger.

Having it "ticking over" "every now and then", will do more harm than good.

lesalanos

There is usually a requirement to have insurance on the car to allow it to be used by third parties so your parents would not be able to use it. It will also need to be declared SORN to comply with continuous insurance (as I understand it). Also if the car is stolen or set fire to whilst not insured you would lose the car. Can you afford this risk

specialboy

Even if their insurance covers it they won't be able to go on the road in it as it won't be taxed.

guntherbuffalo

Sorry forgot to mention. The car will be taxed just not insured.

weeowens

My take on the rules is that the vehicle itself must be insured & not just via your parents other driver rights.


See here: http://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/jun/18/parked-vehicles-insurance


http://www.money.co.uk/article/1006498-new-compulsory-car-insurance-laws-how-to-stay-legal.htm

iainscomputer

guntherbuffalo wrote: »

Sorry forgot to mention. The car will be taxed just not insured.

I don't really agree with the Continuous Insurance Enforcement rules, but if the car is taxed, it must be insured, it's not possible to have a taxed car left uninsured anymore.

marlot

guntherbuffalo wrote: »

Sorry forgot to mention. The car will be taxed just not insured.

Can't be done any more. It's either both, or neither.

Nodding_Donkey

Speak to your car insurance company and explain that you are away for six months and ask what they can do to help. At the least surely you want it covered for theft?

And I don't understand this idea that DOC cover only counts if the other vehicle has it's own insurance. Is this a feature of the el cheapo policies because my certificate has always just said I was covered to drive motor vehicles not owned/hire purchased by me. It has changed slightly over the years to say cars instead of motor vehicles but it makes no mention of them being insured elsewhere.

Car_54

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

And I don't understand this idea that DOC cover only counts if the other vehicle has it's own insurance. Is this a feature of the el cheapo policies because my certificate has always just said I was covered to drive motor vehicles not owned/hire purchased by me. It has changed slightly over the years to say cars instead of motor vehicles but it makes no mention of them being insured elsewhere.

It certainly isn't confined to el cheapo companies. And many policies now don't provide DOC cover at all.

macman

If your insurer can't offer something as proposed above, cancel your policy and get them to add it to theirs. Remember to make arrangements to tax and MOT the car if those run out during the five months you are away.