One driver - two cars?

uk1

We disposed of my wife’s car two years ago as it was basically never used.  We now have one car and I want to buy a second car. My main car is too big and only used for long distances.  I want the small car for pottering about locally.  Mileage on both cars will be very low.   I’m going to be the primary driver of both cars.  I’ll obviously only be using one car at a time.  I’d have my wife as a named driver, but she would only actually drive if I was incapacitated.  She never driven my current car!

I’m receiving some conflicting advice so though ti best to ask here.  I have a full no-claim discount on my current car.  I’m being told that the second car won’t attract the benefit of my unblemished claims experience.  

Is this so?

Are there any special considerations or even suitable policies for someone in my position?

Thanks.

400ixl

Correct, you may find an insurer who is willing to replicate the NCD to another policy or offer an introductory discount but there is no entitlement. Start with your current insurer to see what they will do.

Herzlos

You can only have the NCD on a single policy, so you may be better looking at a multi-car policy.

Of course the true MSE option is to stick with 1 car (the smaller one) given the very low mileage.

Herzlos

You can only have the NCD on a single policy, so you may be better looking at a multi-car policy.

Of course the true MSE option is to stick with 1 car (the smaller one) given the very low mileage.

DullGreyGuy

uk1 said:

I’m receiving some conflicting advice so though ti best to ask here.  I have a full no-claim discount on my current car.  I’m being told that the second car won’t attract the benefit of my unblemished claims experience.  

Is this so?

Are there any special considerations or even suitable policies for someone in my position?

It will attract the benefit of you having no claims to your name but it wont be able to use the NCD again.

Where are you exactly on the 2 years with the Mrs? If its just under 2 years then it may be cheaper for her to be the policyholder but you the main driver and use her NCD... if its over 2 years (and under 3) then that would limit you to Admiral.

se2020

I've done this with a 2nd car and the lack of no-claims for the 2nd one didn't actually make a difference on the price.

Just go onto a comparison site and put 0 for the "how many years no claims" question.

It will then ask if you have any other cars and how many years ncd you have on them.

Also, even if you only have the one car editing the years of ncd doesn't seem to make much/any difference to the prices. 
How long you have had a licence and how many accidents/claims/convictions you have had is the one that changes the price.

I have been getting another years ncd for a few years now and every year the renewal price goes up!!

stuhse

I bought a second car and had no problems with competitive quotes..the days where you had to have proof of ncds are gone (or perhaps not completely,  see below), it's all computer based and they know all about you.   If your worried about a few quid on a quote through are you really doing the right thing ? Your happy to have two lots of insurance,  depreciation,  mot, servicing, road tax, tyres to replace etc, just because one car is a bit too big round town.  ?  There are lots of mid size cars that might suit you well, handy round town and perfectly capable of driving to the Alps if you  so care.  Just a thought...but we all have our reasons...I have two !  Don't worry about insurance you'll get a competitive quote no problem. 

HillStreetBlues

stuhse said:

I bought a second car and had no problems with competitive quotes..the days where you had to have proof of ncds are gone, it's all computer based and they know all about you.   If your worried about a few quid on a quote through are you really doing the right thing ? Your happy to have two lots of insurance,  depreciation,  mot, servicing, road tax, tyres to replace etc, just because one car is a bit too big round town.  ?  There are lots of mid size cars that might suit you well, handy round town and perfectly capable of driving to the Alps if you  so care.  Just a thought...but we all have our reasons...I have two !  Don't worry about insurance you'll get a competitive quote no problem. 

Tell that to my insurer.

Same insurer but took out new policy as much cheaper than renewal quote.
To my surprise they asked me to upload proof of NCB.

stuhse

Yes, but you have one car and one policy. When taking out a second policy I believe they look at you as a risk.  Because of your history of driving and car ownership you can get quotes that are as competitive as a full no claims quote.....in my experience. 

uk1

Thanks to all for your time and advice although a bit amused about the presumptions made in one of the posts and the offer of the life-style advice I received based on those interesting assumptions.

The first car which I’m preserving maintaining and keeping on the basis that it was a once in a lifetime hugely expensive extravagance when we were running our business and all of the depreciation losses were made then and is now history and my wife won’t allow me to sell it. Helga is now a part of the family. I was stunned last year when my car insurance actually went down due to the new approach of not charging loyal customers more than new customers. 

Back to the answers which are genuinely appreciated - I’d wrongly presumed that a current 90% ncd meant that the second car would cost 10 times as much but that appears not to be the case.  

I really do appreciate people’s trouble.  Now to choose a new petrol car for the long-term!

 Thanks again.

daivid

As you have found out no claims can be a bit of a red herring. When first starting out it seemed to have a big impact: my premiums dropped by about a 3rd at each of the 1st two renewals, after year 4 I think I'd more or less hit rock bottom, and additional no claims counted for very little. Recently I got quotes for a second car, a classic covering low mileage, without any no claims to apply I was offered fully comp for £68. There is absolutely no way an insurer would cover me for 90% less than that even if I used my no claims from the every day car.