New Driver Insurance Parent's Car 14 March at 7:18PM in Motoring 15 replies 461 views

Pforr

Hi, I'm new so please be gentle!
My 23 yo son just passed his test last week. He has no car of his own and has been learning in my car (as a supplement to driving lessons). He wants to continue driving my car to gain experience but only low mileage as I will still be the main driver.
When learning with me someone reversed into my car causing minor bodywork damage. The third party admitted liability and my car is being repaired as a third party claim on the other driver's policy. My son had short term learner insurance with Collingwood who increased his premium because of the accident but this has now lapsed because he has passed his test. 

I have been trying to get insurance in the following ways;

1. Add as a named driver on my policy.  -  My insurer, Saga will not add him because of his age and the accident. They offered to cancel my policy and replace with new one with one of their "partners" at a cost >£3000
2. Marmalade bespoke insurance for new driver/parent car.  -  Sounded ideal but they will not insure because of the accident regardless of fault.
3. New driver insurance with Collingwood (called Nubee)  -  Gave a quote for £1900 but when I clarified it was for his Dad's car they said that they would not do it because the car was effectively covered by two separate policies.

I can only assume that I either, transfer my car to my son's name as the registered keeper and get a policy in his name with me as a registered driver (cancelling my policy) or try and get a car for him but neither he or me have the cash for this and it seems so uneconomic when he will be driving very little mileage.

I would appreciate if anybody could help with any other solutions or advice.

Many Thanks

jimjames

Have a look at Admiral, they do top up insurance which should fit the bill. I'd also be careful of any insurer offering to "cancel" the policy which could have long term implications for future renewals

diystarter7

Hi OP

Have you considered buying your kid a different car ie one that attracts the lowest insurance?
IMO, that could easily cover the cost of the new, used car assuming you don't already have a low ins rated car
where the vlaue is not great

Just an idea, 

Grey_Critic

Could speak with an insurance broker.

tacpot12

Generally it will be better if he can get his own policy on his own (cheap to insure) car. That way he builds up his own no claims bonus. The accident was really unlucky, but at least it wasn't his fault, and he can say this honestly to all insurers. 

SandyShores

We took out co-op young driver insurance when DD passed her test.  We had to have a black box fitted but apart from the expense of the policy, which I think was no different to any other insurance, it was fine.  The black box monitors your driving though and if you drove after a certain time at night or it assessed you weren't driving carefully enough it would increase your next months premium - I think that only happened once.  I was glad when she got her own car though and I could go back to my normal £150 a year insurance - and didn't have to worry so much about driving quite so carefully.

Pforr

jimjames said:

Have a look at Admiral, they do top up insurance which should fit the bill. I'd also be careful of any insurer offering to "cancel" the policy which could have long term implications for future renewals

Thanks, but what do you mean by "top up insurance"?

SpudGunPaul

jimjames said:

Have a look at Admiral, they do top up insurance which should fit the bill. I'd also be careful of any insurer offering to "cancel" the policy which could have long term implications for future renewals

I tried Admiral last week and they wanted £2500 for a new driver. 

Pforr

Grey_Critic said:

Could speak with an insurance broker.

I did that and quotes started circa £3500!!! 

Pforr

SandyShores said:

We took out co-op young driver insurance when DD passed her test.  We had to have a black box fitted but apart from the expense of the policy, which I think was no different to any other insurance, it was fine.  The black box monitors your driving though and if you drove after a certain time at night or it assessed you weren't driving carefully enough it would increase your next months premium - I think that only happened once.  I was glad when she got her own car though and I could go back to my normal £150 a year insurance - and didn't have to worry so much about driving quite so carefully.

So was it a policy in your name with DD as an additional driver or in her name with you as additional driver?

sheramber

 I could go back to my normal £150 a year insurance -

 We had to have a black box fitted but apart from the expense of the policy,

How much was that "expense"?