Car Insurance and Ownership Registration queries

DIYhelp76

Hi

Hoping that someone might be able to help with some complicated car insurance and ownership questions please - I'm enquiring for a friend.

Currently two non-UK nationals living in the UK, one long term but who hasn't owned a car in the UK so has no driving history as has been driving only as a "named driver" under a policy taken out by a now ex-partner.  Ownership of the car and the insurance (main driver)  has always been in the sole name of the ex-partner who is now likely moving abroad permanently.

Can the existing car insurance policy be kept in the name of the person who will be moving abroad permanently, with the ex partner who will continue to live in the UK being a named driver?  Will the insurance company accept this arrangement, with the policyholder living outside the UK (and outside Europe) and not having a UK address?

They would like to keep the car in the UK so it can be driven by the current "named driver" on a regular basis and by the ex when they return to the UK for holidays.  But can the "main driver" be a person who lives outside the UK and who owns the car?  To switch the insurance to the other person will massively increase costs because they have no No Claims Bonus/driving history in the UK.

Also, if the main driver/owner is moving abroad permanently, can the car remain registered in their name without a UK address?  Or would they have to change ownership/registration details with the DVLA.

Does whoever "owns" the car or to whom it is registered affect who can insure it?  

Apologies as I have a more straightforward car insurance background so don't know the answers to these questions. Grateful for any pointers. Many thx. 

400ixl

The main driver has to be the person who will use it the most, so that in this case would not be the person who has moved abroad as they would only drive it occasionally. Otherwise this is insurance fronting (and probably easy to prove) which has serious consequences.

If the named driver has been on the policy for a number of years without claims you may be able to approach the current insurer to see if they will give them an introductory NCD to switch the policy over.

One the owner side, the owner and registered keeper are separate things. Sounds like in this instance the legal owner is the person moving abroad, but the registered keeper in the UK would be the other person.

Essentially, register and insure it as the current named driver as the registered keeper and main driver with the current main driver a named driver. Speak to the insurers to see if a deal can be done for an introductory NCD.

mgfvvc

It should be possible to transfer the NCD but that's very dependent on the goodwill of the insurer. I have transferred NCD between myself and my wife. I can't remember which insurer or their exact requirements to do this.