Gifting no claims discount.

retiredinsurer

Our car is insured by my wife with myself as a named driver. This dates back to when she got a car over 30 years ago and I had a company car. Since I retired 14 years ago we only have one car. In recent years I have done almost all of the driving due to her health issues. She no longer wishes to drive although she retains her license. The policy is due for renewal shortly and as I am the registered keeper it makes sense for a new policy to be in my name. My wife has a full NCD but as the additional driver I have none. Are there any companies that allow her to gift her NCD to me? I found that NFU will do this but they don’t offer insurance in London. Our current insurer, Direct Line, don’t allow it but suggest we keep the old policy with my wife as the policyholder.

cr1mson

Are there no circumstances in which she would drive? My husband hates driving and therefore not sure when last did but he is still on policy just in case. Also I know when my Dad died my Mum's insurance went up as she was the sole driver having someone else on policy reduced the cost. Whilst it seemed cruel at time understand from a risk perspective!

maman

As your wife is planning to retain her licence then what @cr1mson suggested is an option.

retiredinsurer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911171#Comment_81911171

But it’s a bit of a catch 22 situation. By having her on the policy she would almost certainly have her premium increased because of her health conditions. Quite sensibly she has voluntarily stopped driving. She retains her license as it’s useful as a form of ID. What I’m trying to do is to see if she can transfer her NCD to me. It also makes me think if she were to die before me. Would the NCD die with her and would I then be charged the full price with no NCD?

tacpot12

I think lots of insurers will give you a lower premium based on your claim-free accident driving record rather than an NCD in your name. I'm the named driver on my partner's policy ever since we retired and went down to one car. I was looking at a buying a high-performance sports car recently and was getting quotes of about £280 a year based on my age and claim-free driving record. I have no NCD in my name.

I would suggest you use one of the comparison websites to check. I like Compare the Market.

retiredinsurer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911522#Comment_81911522

Thanks for this. I’m green with envy but I guess that’s the penalty for living in London. Our car is an Hyundai 10 and DL have quoted £1,200 with a full NCD!

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6658186/gifting-no-claims-discount

There are no universal laws or rules on NCD and so it comes down to individual firms to make their decisions and therefore it can also be an element of luck of which agent you get.

Its not massively uncommon for insurers to be sympathetic and if a policyholder has died or banned from driving due to health conditions some will allow a spouse to take on the NCD but they are under no obligation to do so. Less are going to do it when its technically a disinclination to drive rather than being forced not to drive. Your current insurer is your best bet and of cause after 1 year you can go anywhere as it then your NCD

I'd be shopping around, we are central London and paid £750 for a £90k car with a 4.7L engine and a mature learner driver! As you get on in age prices do go back up after you hit 75 but no way near as much as they were when you were 18 assuming you are otherwise a good risk.

XRS200

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911286#Comment_81911286

Car insurers don't ask about health conditions

mgfvvc

From https://www.independent.co.uk/money/insurance/married-drivers-are-risking-their-noclaims-discount-1920608.html

"Direct Line customers are able to change the main driver on their policy to their spouse or partner and pass on their accrued no-claims discount, so they can benefit from it,"

OK, it's a 15 year old article but I would be surprised if the policy has changed. I believe most reputable insurers will allow it. Have Direct Line really told you that you can't? If so, ask again, if they still say no ask for a supervisor.

I would note that the one time I have done this, the policy was I had to be with them for a year before I could transfer NCD to my wife. I forget which insurer I was with at the time.