Cheapest car insurance tactic when it’s the day of renewal?

Tylewcha

Not me, I keep these dates diarised so I don’t get burned.

My partner has been slowly buying a car from his dad, and they had joint insurance on it, but my partner didn’t have the details. He was told months ago it ran out around now but didn’t mark down the dates or tell me. Dad text him yesterday saying it runs out - today.

I know.

Anyway, I’m trying to figure out the best way to get the insurance cheaper than day-of purchase price. It’s currently sat on a quiet side road and hasn’t even been turned on in months. I’ve recommended he stop buying it / sell it on as he doesn’t even use it but he feels it’s an investment for when he no longer has his current van (for work).

We don’t have a driveway on which to leave it and make it SORN in the meantime, but we could ask his dad to allow it on his. Or at least, leave it there quietly and buy insurance to start in 20-26 days. Or, buy whatever insurance policy today, buy another policy to start in 2 weeks when it should be better priced, and on the last (14th?) day of the first policy, cancel it and get a refund.

Or.. any other ideas? Anyone been in this situation before? What would you recommend to save money now?

[Deleted User]

Either SORN it or buy a policy. 

Cancelling the policy and getting a new one will likely be more expensive than just getting a policy.

TELLIT01

If insurance expires today they must either get it off the road or get insurance today.  Even (especially?) on 'quiet side roads' it can be spotted, clamped and potentially removed.

Tylewcha

TELLIT01 said:

If insurance expires today they must either get it off the road or get insurance today.  Even (especially?) on 'quiet side roads' it can be spotted, clamped and potentially removed.

I was only describing where it is now, not planning on leaving it uninsured on a quiet road. I meant if it could be left quietly on his dads driveway for like 21 days till insurance starts up.

TELLIT01

Tylewcha said:

TELLIT01 said:

If insurance expires today they must either get it off the road or get insurance today.  Even (especially?) on 'quiet side roads' it can be spotted, clamped and potentially removed.

I was only describing where it is now, not planning on leaving it uninsured on a quiet road. I meant if it could be left quietly on his dads driveway for like 21 days till insurance starts up.

That's fine then, but if you SORN it make sure it doesn't go back on the road at any time until the SORN is removed.  I give the warning because I know of somebody who did SORN a vehicle and parked it on their drive in front of the garage.  They decided to clear the garage so moved the van onto the road while they were doing it.  Odds must be miniscule but it was spotted and clamped until the fine was paid.

jimbo6977

Tylewcha said:

Not me, I keep these dates diarised so I don’t get burned.

My partner has been slowly buying a car from his dad, and they had joint insurance on it, but my partner didn’t have the details. He was told months ago it ran out around now but didn’t mark down the dates or tell me. Dad text him yesterday saying it runs out - today.

I know.

Anyway, I’m trying to figure out the best way to get the insurance cheaper than day-of purchase price. It’s currently sat on a quiet side road and hasn’t even been turned on in months. I’ve recommended he stop buying it / sell it on as he doesn’t even use it but he feels it’s an investment for when he no longer has his current van (for work).

We don’t have a driveway on which to leave it and make it SORN in the meantime, but we could ask his dad to allow it on his. Or at least, leave it there quietly and buy insurance to start in 20-26 days. Or, buy whatever insurance policy today, buy another policy to start in 2 weeks when it should be better priced, and on the last (14th?) day of the first policy, cancel it and get a refund.

Or.. any other ideas? Anyone been in this situation before? What would you recommend to save money now?

You seem to be overthinking this.

The 20/26 day thing is great in theory, but in practice you need insurance today, so buy some today.
Use a comparison site.
Job done.

Revisit in 11 months' and 5 days' time