Insurance - can you avoid paying the "change of vehicle" fee?

DominicH

So insurers typically charge an admin fee of £50 or more if you change your vehicle during the cover period.

What I'm wondering is if you time it so that you change your vehicle just as the insurance expires, and renew on the new vehicle (with the same or different insurer) will you pay any 'change of vehicle' fee?

(I know it's only a small amount compared the cost of a car, but hey, this is MSE.)

AdrianC

"Renewing" is just starting a new policy, no more, no less - so your old policy on car A expires, and you take out a new policy on car B.

Ditzy_Mitzy

You won't pay that particular fee because, as far as I know, it does not count as a change of vehicle.  It's effectively a new policy with a new risk at that point, so you'll pay accordingly.  It will count as continuing business if the insurance company stays the same.  If one changes insurer then it's exactly the same as starting a new policy with the old car.  
This is also an incredibly contrived and difficult way of saving a small admin fee, unless one also intends to keep the old car and put it on SORN.  One would have to coordinate the sale such that the buyer collected the old car on the day the policy expired, and also arrange for the new car's insurance to start on the same day.  The buyer may not, rightly, want to wait for however long that takes.  One also has the risk of the sale falling apart, ending up with two cars and having to take out a new policy for the old one!  
Another thing to consider: insurers do not, necessarily, want to lose a customer with an established policy.  I've changed cars midway through insurance years and whilst there was a one off fee, the policy price itself was not altered to reflect the new, increased risk.  It may actually be cheaper to change cars on an established policy, if one is moving up in risk terms, than trying to mess around with a new policy.  

daveyjp

Find an insurer that doesn't charge when you change your vehicle.  They exist as I have never paid such a fee.

jimjames

Admiral only charge £9.50 for online notification but you may also get charged from any premium differences.

I've done exactly what the OP has suggested, just time the purchase correctly or let the old policy expire when taking out the new one. If you have sold the car don't leave it on a policy active as there could still be a claim against you. 

Sandtree

If you give up your old car on the day before renewal and get your new car on the day of renewal then you'd avoid fees because the old policy lapses at 1 second to midnight and you are just buying a new policy for the new car so no "change" for fees to be raised.

Richard53

daveyjp said:

Find an insurer that doesn't charge when you change your vehicle.  They exist as I have never paid such a fee.

NFU Mutual. I've changed vehicle several times mid-policy with them. They adjust for a higher/lower premium of course, but have never charged me an admin fee to do so.

AdrianC

It's one of the things cheap insurers do that good insurers don't. One of the many ways they Ryanair their way to a low headline premium...

fred246

The best way to avoid it is to keep the same car. If you've got a good un don't change it. I can't ever remember paying such a fee.

Biggus_Dickus

fred246 said:

The best way to avoid it is to keep the same car. If you've got a good un don't change it. I can't ever remember paying such a fee.

That Model T Ford has done you proud, eh Fred. 😁