Ageas refusing to insure if name is not on V5

ConsumerWarrior

My son needed to make a change of vehicle today from his car , also insured by Ageas, to a gifted family vehicle for him. He would be main driver and no one else on policy. Ageas refused stating he has to be the registered keeper. An hour later we applied for a new V5 with his name as keeper, he would also be the owner. Ageas then approved the change of vehicle.and gave him cover.

I thought that the registered keeper had little impact on who can insure the vehicle.

Should he make a complaint or is Ageas correct in their policy?

Aretnap

Their policy, their rules. Some insurers will be fairly relaxed about you insuring a car which is owned by and/or registered to someone else, others will insist that the policyholder also has to be the registered keeper (or at least, the spouse of the registered keeper). Ultimately it's a decision individual insurers are free to make - there is no mileage in complaining about it.

CliveOfIndia

ConsumerWarrior said:

I thought that the registered keeper had little impact on who can insure the vehicle.

That's certainly true for a lot of insurers - but not all.  Some companies will hike their premiums slightly if the policy-holder is not the RK, usually not in the case of spouses.

ConsumerWarrior said:

Should he make a complaint or is Ageas correct in their policy?

There is no basis on which to make a complaint.  Ultimately, any insurer is free to decline cover to anyone they wish (except if it's on the basis of a protected characteristic alone, such as race, religion, sexual identity, etc.).

TooManyPoints

Has it actually caused your son any loss or distress?

If he is the person who will be keeping it and using it the most, it makes sense for him to be the RK. Definitely avoids complications with speeding allegations, etc.

Mildly_Miffed

Ageas said "thanks, no thanks" to this particular set of circumstances.

Next.

PLENTY more insurers out there. Absolutely nothing to complain about.

born_again

Could it be the they do not like a V5 not registered at the same address?

DullGreyGuy

Historically lots of personal line insurers wouldnt touch cars where the policyholder was neither the registered keeper or a close family member of. After personal leasing/contract hire exploded then some insurers became more relaxed but that could have been totally widening it out or simply now saying policyholder, close family or finance company. 

There is no legal obligation for insurers to accept all proposals, they are free to pick and choose their business rules as long as its not on things like Race or Religion.

ConsumerWarrior

Thanks for all the advice, thank goodness for Comparethemarket etc