I need some advice about commercial vehicle insurance.

Oddjob

I have a 1991 van which I have had and had insured on a commercial vehicle policy for business use since 2000 until 2021 when it came off the road to have a major overhaul.

I have never done a great deal of mileage in it as I only use it for trading at a few events per year - I am virtually retired now.  For the last few years of it's use, it averaged less than 1000 miles per year.

I am wanting to insure it to get it back on the road in June.

I know I will probably be penalised for my age, I am 70.  I will only be using it for about 4 months, then it will be going back to the company who are restoring it to over Winter as I won't need it..

I have to keep the vehicle on the street, they will be keeping it in a locked compound/garage workshop whilst they have it.  The owner of the garage says that if I put him on the insurance, they will use it a bit for fetching parts etc just to keep her running a bit rather than just standing, which doesn't do vehicles any good. 

I also have a private car which I use every day.  I have not had any claims on either vehicle.

My question is, is my NCB on my van likely to still apply as the last time it had insurance on it was 2021?  I have been told that as it was not continuous, I'll have to start again, is that really true? 

The second driver I would be adding on - for when the garage has it back - is in his 40's, is it likely to be cheaper to add him on to the policy from the beginning, or would I be better to leave it until October to add him on and if I do, if my age has made the policy more expensive, could I take my name off as I won't be driving it if it is stored at the garage but if I did, would that affect the NCB on it for when it comes to be insured next year?

Sorry for so many questions.  Hoping someone can answer some of them - TIA 

 

sevenhills

NCB lasts four years, at least it did when I had a gap of five years.

Oddjob

sevenhills said:

NCB lasts four years, at least it did when I had a gap of five years.

Thank you, that will help.

Bigwheels1111

I thought it was 2 years.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/how-to-get-proof-of-no-claims-bonus/#:~:text=Can%20my%20no%2Dclaims%20bonus,no%20claims%20bonus%20from%20scratch.

Bigphil1474

I always thought it was 2 years - OP, you might still be within 2 years depending when the insurance ended in 2021.

I'd be careful with putting the garage on the insurance unless you absolutely trust them with your van. Otherwise, "fetching parts etc just to keep her running a bit" might mean it becomes their main vehicle for such. You might be best speaking to a specialist insurance broker. If you aren't the main driver over the winter, the insurance would need to know. 

DullGreyGuy

Two years is the norm, the Coop used to accept up to 3 years but they have changed underwriter and fallen in line with industry standards. There will always be people who claim they got someone to accept theirs after X years but that tends to be more goodwill guestures from the company rather than their standard policy.

facade

No idea about insurance, but are you sure you want them using it in the Winter and taking it out on roads covered in corrosive salt?

It's true that standing around doesn't do vehicles any good, but standing around wet with salty muck is about 1,000,000 times worse!

Herzlos

I'd have thought the garage would have their own policy for using vehicles in their care anyway. That means if something happens to it, there's no impact on your insurance.

But if it's doing such low mileage it'd probably be good for them to use it a bit.

Oddjob

Bigwheels1111 said:

I thought it was 2 years.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/how-to-get-proof-of-no-claims-bonus/#:~:text=Can%20my%20no%2Dclaims%20bonus,no%20claims%20bonus%20from%20scratch.

That would st ill be ok, it ran out in August 2021.  Thanks though.

ontheroad1970

Oddjob said:

Bigwheels1111 said:

I thought it was 2 years.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/how-to-get-proof-of-no-claims-bonus/#:~:text=Can%20my%20no%2Dclaims%20bonus,no%20claims%20bonus%20from%20scratch.

That would st ill be ok, it ran out in August 2021.  Thanks though.

if the insurance ran out in August 2021, then it is still within the 2 years

Oddjob

Bigphil1474 said:

I always thought it was 2 years - OP, you might still be within 2 years depending when the insurance ended in 2021.

I'd be careful with putting the garage on the insurance unless you absolutely trust them with your van. Otherwise, "fetching parts etc just to keep her running a bit" might mean it becomes their main vehicle for such. You might be best speaking to a specialist insurance broker. If you aren't the main driver over the winter, the insurance would need to know. 

Thanks, it definitely won't become their main van and the only person on the insurance would be the owner of the garage.  It is a big garage doing mechanical, fabrication work and also valeting.  The owner loves old VW's and I know he wouldn't let any of the other staff members use it, it would only be occasionally that he would take it out on the road.  I actually live on a busy road, at the bottom of a hill, so it gets grit and salt splattered on it all the time in Winter when the gritting lorries go up and down the road.  It has lived outside on the road since I have had it but with it being old, it is a lot tougher than modern motors and has suffered very little salt damage.  Whilst with them, it will spend most of the time inside the workshop where I would have thought it would be much safer.  I am actually giving the owner the van when I no longer have a use for it or can't drive it, he has such a passion for it, I know he will keep her going for many more years, she will be in safe hands with them.

I think it will do it more good to have an occasional run than be stood most of the Winter which it does now.