Car insurance after owner dies as executor

mp80

Hi, my father recently passed away
He owned 2 cars
I phoned the insurance company and they granted me 30 days cover
It's now at an end and I'm unsure as to what to do.  My intent is to sell the cars (they're not worth very much) but not sure how to go about putting the right details on the insurance.  I read that cars are considered a 'chattel' and are outside probate.  I also read that as the executor, the registration passes to me by default so I don't need to notify DVLA (is that right) so presumably I can put myself down as the registered keeper?

Ideally I'd like to get some temporary cover rather than pay a year, but those dedicated temporary policies seem to be a total rip off.   Is it best to get a TPFT or similar monthly policy with a multicar option, with 1,000 miles a year on it or something, then cancel it when they're sold?

Any advice appreciated!

Undervalued

mp80 said:

Hi, my father recently passed away
He owned 2 cars
I phoned the insurance company and they granted me 30 days cover
It's now at an end and I'm unsure as to what to do.  My intent is to sell the cars (they're not worth very much) but not sure how to go about putting the right details on the insurance.  I read that cars are considered a 'chattel' and are outside probate.  I also read that as the executor, the registration passes to me by default so I don't need to notify DVLA (is that right) so presumably I can put myself down as the registered keeper?

Ideally I'd like to get some temporary cover rather than pay a year, but those dedicated temporary policies seem to be a total rip off.   Is it best to get a TPFT or similar monthly policy with a multicar option, with 1,000 miles a year on it or something, then cancel it when they're sold?

Any advice appreciated!

That was a gesture of goodwill rather than a right.

I was in this position many years ago and I was told that despite being a named driver on the deceased's policy I could not claim to be driving with their permission from the moment the owner died.

I therefor had to cancel the policy and take out a new one in my own name. The pro rata remainder of the deceased's policy was refunded to the estate.

Sea_Shell

Can an executor or administrator insure a car, if they are a non licence holding, non-driver??

If the car needs moving from the public road onto private land (until sold) would you have to find someone else to add to said policy to be able to move it?

Would you be able to potentially use your own "driving other cars" cover, if cover on the vehicle itself is now invalid (due to the death of the policyholder)?

tacpot12

You won't be able to use any "driving other cars" cover because this requires that the car is insured by someone, but the policyholder has died and the policy ended. 

The executor might need special insurance if they are not a driver as they cannot be insured to drive the car on the road - there was another recent post on MSE where the owner was advised to contact an insurance broker. I think this would be good advice for the OP. A broke will know how an executor can insure cars prior to them being sold. 

I think the best option is to get them off road, SORN them and get them sold on the basis that who ever buys them can't test drive them unless they insure the car themselves.

While the registration my pass to you "automatically", you need to tell the DVLA that the registered keep has passed and that you are the new registered keeper. See Telling DVLA after someone dies: Keeping a vehicle - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

mp80

Thanks. What I did was insure the cars immediately but told the insurer my dad was still the registered keeper as I've not transferred the ownership yet - I'll tell the DVLA today.   What's annoying, is that the cars are taxed until 2022, but I have to re-tax the cars in my name.  My dad had mobility, so didn't pay.  That's hundreds of pounds of tax up front just to be able to move 2 cars 10 miles - I know I can claim it back but I'll lose at least a month off both even if I sold them tomorrow.

user1977

I would have thought it's relatively commonplace for executors to insure vehicles which have to remain on the road (and be used) while the estate is being wound up. But might take a broker.

mp80

Yeah the insurance was really easy, it's just the sting of all the costs.  It was £380 + VAT for a transporter which I'd never see a penny back so it was better to insure and tax.  At least I'll get something back as I can cancel the policy and tax on sale (minus the "profit" *cough* admin fees...)