Adding a named driver to policy

pseudopensioner

What is a reasonable time for a company to add a named driver to an existing policy. Named driver has 30 years clean licence and owns their own car.

400ixl

From a processing point of view, most can do it immediately, some the next day, or on the date you specify.

oldernonethewiser

When I was with Direct Line I added my Brother in Law. Did it all online and confirmed within an hour.

EssexExile

I've just done it. They said when do you want it to start? I said Thursday next week and they said fine, that'll be £25 please.

DullGreyGuy

pseudopensioner said:

What is a reasonable time for a company to add a named driver to an existing policy. Named driver has 30 years clean licence and owns their own car.

Even 20 years ago when I first started in insurance its something that would take a 3 minute telephone call and half of that was going through data protection etc. By the end of the call the driver would be on cover if the customer wanted to add them with immediate effect.

These days you can potentially self serve and do it online yourself.

If there is something odd about your policy or your on special terms etc there is a chance it may need to be referred to an underwriter, this is probably more likely if you are via a broker or other form of intermediary, but that's more likely if the ND was a bad risk which you say they aren't in this case.

pseudopensioner

Thank you for your reponses.

Previously with Direct Line and yes, 5 minute phone call and it was done, no charge and even a small refund on one occasion. New insurer (Broker) don't, won't, can't do this over the phone and it must be done online. The charge if/when they action it will be £35.
 
"This is an automated message to let you know that we've received your request and we'll be in touch as soon as possible."

"Currently, your level of cover is the same as before you got in touch. This means that you aren't yet covered for the changes you've asked about. For example, if you've asked for a change of vehicle, the new vehicle isn't covered yet, or if you've asked to add a driver, they're not covered to drive yet. Please wait until we contact you to confirm your policy has been updated before you change the way you use your ........."

Guess I won't be renewing my insurance with this company when the time comes. Sadly I didn't read reviews beforehand! Lesson learned.

DullGreyGuy

I can see why any company would love people to do things online, not only from saving employee costs but avoids the issues when the employee bodges the spelling of the name etc avoiding the second call and/or other problems. I'm surprised they simply can't do it over the phone though.

The first time we did self service online it was a con, all it really did was generate an email to customer service asking them to key the change (at that point we limited it to things which wont impact the premium like change of name) so there was a delay between submission and action but it wasnt a relevance because its not premium impacting it wouldnt have been anything major. 

Sounds like some are still using basic online systems, whilst you've paid the £35 admin fee you may get a communication that there is a premium change too when they get round to actioning it. 

pseudopensioner

Hmm, email sent requesting update on progress. 

Response  "Thanks for your email. We aim to reply within 36 hours. However, if we need to investigate your question it may take longer.

If your email is about a change you would like to make to your insurance policy, your change will not take effect until you receive confirmation from us."

Helpful? Not.

Goudy

I've been using Swiftcover which is Axa's online presence for years and it's super simple.

Add and remove drivers, renew, even adding another car to the policy for a short time is easy and for me, it's as cheap as I can find anywhere else. 

I have even had to use their portal for a claim, often a worrying time but it when so smoothly.

pseudopensioner

DullGreyGuy said:

I can see why any company would love people to do things online, not only from saving employee costs but avoids the issues when the employee bodges the spelling of the name etc avoiding the second call and/or other problems. I'm surprised they simply can't do it over the phone though.

The first time we did self service online it was a con, all it really did was generate an email to customer service asking them to key the change (at that point we limited it to things which wont impact the premium like change of name) so there was a delay between submission and action but it wasnt a relevance because its not premium impacting it wouldnt have been anything major. 

Sounds like some are still using basic online systems, whilst you've paid the £35 admin fee you may get a communication that there is a premium change too when they get round to actioning it. 

You were correct re the premium charge!

"We Have Received Your Request To Add ********* To Your Policy. To Go Head With

The Change There Would Be An Additional Premium Payable Of £68.24 Which Includes Our £35

Admin Fee.

Please contact us on........."

So they can't add the driver via the phone but I must phone them if I wish to accept. I'll have to be particularly careful in the month prior to renewal to ensure they do not renew automatically. 

I'm having difficulty in finding a copy of their Terms & Conditions.