Use of other vehicles

Syman

When renewing my personal car policy, the question comes up "Do you have access to any other car or van".

What constitutes access to a vehicle? My insurance company have not yet got back to me through their help pages.

I work for a local authority, we have a minibus that i may be asked to drive (voluntarily, i.e. i would not be compensated in any way) in the course of my working week.

I only have access to the vehicle, when specifically granted for an driving task, that is, i cannot just decide to jump in the bus and drive it around.

Ozzuk

I always think of this as another vehicle you can use if necessary - which wouldn't be a minibus at work. It's more for things like partners car, or other vehicles you may own. Only your insurer can tell you how they mean it though.

AdrianC

If you've got another car you can use, there's no point in the insurer giving you an expensive loan car.

If you haven't got another car you can use, then you are going to need a loan car.

Can you borrow that minibus for whatever, if your car is written off?

Bigphil1474

OP, if it's fully comp, it may relate to driving other vehicles through 3rd party cover of your FC policy. TBH, can't remember having ever being asked that question. Pretty sure they usually ask how many vehicles are there at my property. I have business use cover and theoretically I could use a work vehicle (local authority as well) but it's not part of my normal job, haven't driven one for 10 years, so I don't include it. Your minibus driving should be under your employers insurance anyway. If it was me, I'd presume they mean any other car or van which you would drive under the cover they are providing. If your not expected to drive the minibus for work, then I'd be happy not to include it if it was me.

Syman

Thanks for the opinions.

In my mind, i do not have access to any other vehicle for my own personal use.

Not overly fussed, but was curious. We all know that insurance companies can find all sorts of reasons to limit the payouts.

If i ever get a response from them i will post up.

SouthLondonUser

AFAIK it could be used by some insurers to assess the risk profile of a driver: if you're insuring a car, but have also access to a motorcycle and to another car, then you might be seen as less risky: you can only drive/ride one vehicle at a given time, after all.

[Deleted User]

Drive other cars is for like driving cars that don't belong to you like a family member car or a friends car not another car you own. But they must be insured in their own right before you can drive them under your "drive other cars" cover.

Surely if you have to drive a mini bus for work then your employer should have appropriate insurance that covers you and other employees to drive said mini bus.

chrisw

Deleted_User wrote: »

Drive other cars is for like driving cars that don't belong to you like a family member car or a friends car not another car you own. But they must be insured in their own right before you can drive them under your "drive other cars" cover.

Not necessarily. There's no such condition on my Direct Line policy.

Gloomendoom

Deleted_User wrote: »

But they must be insured in their own right before you can drive them under your "drive other cars" cover.

As said above, this varies depending on insurer. Not all policies require a car driven under "drive other cars" to be insured in its own right.

Driving a car with its own cover would be quite restricting though as it would mean that it was only insured while it was actually being driven. Parking would have to be chosen with care.

Car_54

Gloomendoom wrote: »

As said above, this varies depending on insurer. Not all policies require a car driven under "drive other cars" to be insured in its own right.

Driving a car with its own cover would be quite restricting though as it would mean that it was only insured while it was actually being driven. Parking would have to be chosen with care.

Its "own" cover would apply when parked.

I've had a car damaged when parked. The insurer didn't ask who had parked it.

[Deleted User]

chrisw wrote: »

Not necessarily. There's no such condition on my Direct Line policy.

Gloomendoom wrote: »

As said above, this varies depending on insurer. Not all policies require a car driven under "drive other cars" to be insured in its own right.

Driving a car with its own cover would be quite restricting though as it would mean that it was only insured while it was actually being driven. Parking would have to be chosen with care.

Car_54 wrote: »

Its "own" cover would apply when parked.

I've had a car damaged when parked. The insurer didn't ask who had parked it.

Ha ha ha knew it wouldn't be long before this got piped up.

If you drive an uninsured car under your "drive other cars" status...

1. You'll be at risk of being stopped by the police and/or triggering ANPR for having no "insurance" yes it might be legit but it's still a hassle.

2. What happens if you park up and walk away, car won't be insured.

But that aside, I want to know why a local authority requires it's employees to drive minibuses on the employees own personal insurance.