Overlapping insurance when selling a car

techno79

I'm planning to sell my car soon and replace it with another vehicle (will be 2nd hand). I've been offered a rubbish value for part ex and I know I can get a lot more on a private sale.

I want to keep my current car until I've purchased the replacement because I never know what kind of delays I'd have. However, this will mean there will be at least a few weeks overlap while I still have both cars. I have off-road parking for both cars.

I'll need to have both cars insured as I'm sure I'll need to take prospective buyers on test rides (me driving).

As I understand it, I can't use my built up NCB discount on both cars. The only way I can think of doing this is switch my main policy to my new car and get temporary insurance on my old car. However, temporary insurance is very expensive and I'm wondering if there is a better way of doing it (e.g. a new 2nd policy with 0 NCB and getting the remaining period refunded once the car is sold).

Any thoughts?

GunJack

Just had similar, albeit for only 4 days....bought new car, took it home & parked off-road, left insurance on current car & drove it until sold, then swapped ins policy to new car within about 20 mins of selling old one. Okay, it may be a bit iffy getting the new one home, but mine was only 2.5 miles in the dark of an evening....

bigadaj

Wouldn't recommend gunjacks method.

It's reported that the insurers will often extend cover for the second car, give them a ring and ask.

techno79

GunJack wrote: »

Just had similar, albeit for only 4 days....bought new car, took it home & parked off-road, left insurance on current car & drove it until sold, then swapped ins policy to new car within about 20 mins of selling old one. Okay, it may be a bit iffy getting the new one home, but mine was only 2.5 miles in the dark of an evening....

I think it's more iffy than that, as it's not just the drive home. Legally you have to have a car insured even when it is off-road (unless it's declared SORN).

techno79

bigadaj wrote: »

Wouldn't recommend gunjacks method.

It's reported that the insurers will often extend cover for the second car, give them a ring and ask.

Extending cover for a second vehicle would be awesome and the best way to do it. My insurance company doesn't do this, does anyone know of a company that does?

Warwick_Hunt

GunJack wrote: »

Just had similar, albeit for only 4 days....bought new car, took it home & parked off-road, left insurance on current car & drove it until sold, then swapped ins policy to new car within about 20 mins of selling old one. Okay, it may be a bit iffy getting the new one home, but mine was only 2.5 miles in the dark of an evening....

Are you admitting to using without insurance?

GunJack

Warwick_Hunt wrote: »

Are you admitting to using without insurance?

not really, car was still the other bloke's officially, was driving it with his consent

GunJack

To be serious, though, it's a really difficult situation, especially if your ins co. is closed for the night, and they don't give you the cover for the second car for a couple of weeks free...is there a list anywhere of who does/doesn't??

Warwick_Hunt

GunJack wrote: »

not really, car was still the other bloke's officially, was driving it with his consent

He can't give consent when he doesn't own it can he?

GunJack

techno79 wrote: »

I think it's more iffy than that, as it's not just the drive home. Legally you have to have a car insured even when it is off-road (unless it's declared SORN).

off-road (i.e. not on the public highway), no it doesn't...taxed or SORN yes, but not insured.

BeenThroughItAll

GunJack wrote: »

off-road (i.e. not on the public highway), no it doesn't...taxed or SORN yes, but not insured.

No, regardless of where it's kept, if it is NOT SORN it MUST be insured.

These 'new' rules were introduced six years ago.