Can someone please explain Car Insurance

sam1450

During the weekend I dutifully amended my car insurance policy and thought that I would put my husband on my policy too. However, we thought about it and realised that with two convictions on his - it might not be such a good idea.

When I informed the woman at said Car Insurance company - she said that he would not be covered to drive this car under their company policy (alright ! its Direct Line) as he would have to be a named driver! However, his policy - from a different company - stated that as he has fully comprehensive cover he can drive any car and be insured.

Who is right here? If there was an accident and he was driving my car - would Direct Line intervene and say they won't pay out? I am feeling very confused!

davetrousers

sam1450 wrote: »

However, his policy - from a different company - stated that as he has fully comprehensive cover he can drive any car and be insured.

His policy (for his own car presumably) will cover him to drive other cars, but this cover might be third party only (CHECK)

So if he crashes your car into another car (and it is judged to be his fault) then his insurance will cover the third party side of things (ie the other car and driver) but it probably wouldn't cover any damages to your car.

losgiganteskid

sam1450 wrote: »

During the weekend I dutifully amended my car insurance policy and thought that I would put my husband on my policy too. However, we thought about it and realised that with two convictions on his - it might not be such a good idea.

When I informed the woman at said Car Insurance company - she said that he would not be covered to drive this car under their company policy (alright ! its Direct Line) as he would have to be a named driver! However, his policy - from a different company - stated that as he has fully comprehensive cover he can drive any car and be insured.

Who is right here? If there was an accident and he was driving my car - would Direct Line intervene and say they won't pay out? I am feeling very confused!

No need to be confused.com - when and if your hubby drives your car and is involved in an accident your own insurers will not become involved at all if your policy is restricted to yourself only driving. If hubby has a policy in his name (provided his certificate so permits) he will be covered THIRD PARTY ONLY to drive other vehicles not owned by him or hired to him under a hire purchase agreement. So nutshellwise - only let him drive your car if you are happy for cover to be Third Party Only - which means that if your car is stolen whilst it is in his custody or control - no cover for theft either !!. If the accident is not the fault of hubby a claim could be made against the guilty party - but long winded that would be

sam1450

That's cleared that up - thank you very much!

DaisyFlower

Be careful, some companies class spouse cars as being a joint asset and dont extend the DOC to cover them. Using the DOC clause to drive your car means your own damage will not be covered for damage/fire or theft - DOC only covers damage caused to third parties.

Direct Line would not get involved in any claim, regardless of type, if he was using the DOC extension under his own policy.

ahappywife

Sam,
Is it actually cheaper for you to have separate policies, even with his convictions? He is paying for them, I assume, on the policy he is holding, but you can often get a bit of a discount for multiple vehicles and drivers if you combine your insurance. You don't really say if you have checked into the actual costs. I'd be interested in knowing the answer to that one. :-)