Motor Insurance after being Named Driver

Sherbertfizz

Hi all,

Hope this is the right forum for this question.  I gave my car to my son 4 years ago - he insures it with me as a named driver.  Hadn't realised the effect on my NCD - now need to take out a policy in my sole name with my son as a named driver.  Premiums have shot up from £460 (cheapest renewal for my son with me as named driver) to over £1100 with me as policyholder and my son as a named driver.  Any suggestions for how I might improve on this?  I'm getting divorced and need to start building up my own NCD again (reduced circumstances and all that).  Thanks in advance for any advice.

CliveOfIndia

Is this for the same car - i.e. you're just switching the policyholder and named driver around?  If that's the case, you need to be careful about what they "fronting" - i.e. you must be honest about who the main driver is.

That aside, what is your driving history compared to your son's (have you got points on your licence and he's got a clean licence, have you had any claims recently)?  That could account for the difference in premiums.

Have you shopped around?  Your NCD is usually valid for 2 years from the last time you had your own policy, so if you've not held a policy for more than 2 years then your own NCD will have lapsed.  However, many of the insurance companies will take into account a period of no-claims whilst you've been a named driver on someone else's policy.  It would be worth looking around to find one of the ones that will give you some NCD based on you being a named driver.

Insurance in general has got quite a bit more expensive recently, but that does sound like quite a hefty increase.  It's definitely worth shopping around - and don't forget to also check the ones that aren't on the aggregator sites.

DullGreyGuy

Those that give ND NCD normally make a big song about it, it tends only to be recognised by them and it would be clear on your renewal paperwork.

You say you are getting divorced and this is driving the change? Were you a ND on your soon to be Ex's vehicle? You could try speaking to them to see if they'll do anything. It's more common when someone becomes a widow(er) but occasionally an agent will be compassionate and duplicate the NCD across to you. 

Sherbertfizz

Thanks for the reply, CliveOfIndia.  In the short term, I will continue to use the same car, but I am now the main driver and my son hardly uses it, but will have to replace it when the MOT next runs out as it's coming to the end of its viable life..  No points on either licence and no claims within the last 5 years.  I've only used the aggregate sites as a broker told me that was my best bet.  I'll google for non-aggregator site insurers.  Thanks again.