Car insurance for student when home from university

simon_r

My daughter passed ger driving test in January 2024, and at that point she was put on the insurance for my car (in my name) at a cost of £2300 for the year .

Since then she has gone away to university, so we are paying a lot to cover her for time shen she is not here.  The current policy is due for renewal in late January and I'm trying to work out the best option is.

We want her to be able to drive the car when she comes home, but as she is away for 32 weeks a year (coming home around 1 weekend a month during termtime) there is a lot of time when she is away.

Originally I was thinking of taking her off my policy, and taking out a "pay as you go" policy through marmalade.  However looking at their web-site they have discontinued that product.

What have others in this situation found to be the best approach?  Are there any alternative "pay as you drive" type products that are suitable?  Or any other policies that would still give the freedom for her to drive when home from uni, without us paying a fortune to cover her when she is not here?

DullGreyGuy

They still do a top up policy but its now limited mileage rather than per mile, have you quoted how much they would charge compared to the cost of having her on your own policy (and risking your NCD)?

You can also get short term insurance but you need to be clear on the likely total number of days needed in how many blocks. The shorter the insurance the higher the cost per day/hour typically is. 

You could also ask your own insurers about adding her as a Temporary Additional Driver and what limits they have on this (some its a maximum of X days and a maximum of Y times a year). Likewise if you can do this online or if they charge an admin fee each time. 

simon_r

DullGreyGuy said:

They still do a top up policy but its now limited mileage rather than per mile, have you quoted how much they would charge compared to the cost of having her on your own policy (and risking your NCD)?

You can also get short term insurance but you need to be clear on the likely total number of days needed in how many blocks. The shorter the insurance the higher the cost per day/hour typically is. 

You could also ask your own insurers about adding her as a Temporary Additional Driver and what limits they have on this (some its a maximum of X days and a maximum of Y times a year). Likewise if you can do this online or if they charge an admin fee each time. 

Thanks.  I've just tried on Marmalade's website but they won't give me a quote.  Presumably they don't like my car, though it's not particularly "sporty" (Citroen DS5 2.0 diesel) and they insured her on it as a learner.

DullGreyGuy

Was curious and so tried to do a fictitious C1 quote and it too didnt like something... maybe they just dont like Citroen 

SAHMO4

I’d be keen to know if you found a solution to this? I’m in the same situation now. My insurance is due for renewal but nearly £1000 extra to keep my daughter on the policy and she’s away at uni. She only drove the car once at Christmas so wanted to use Marmelade to do the same as you and just get her cover when she was home at Easter and in the summer but I can’t get a quote from them either.
Thanks  

mgfvvc

I was quoted £300 to insure my daughter for 3 weeks with dayinsure. A full year for me, my wife and my daughter with various Admiral brands comes in at around £750. My current insurer (LV=) won't insure my daughter at all on this car (2011 Ford Grand C-Max) so I am planning to cancel the current insurance and change insurer before the Easter holidays.