Accident occurs in insured car by uninsured driver
redward
Forumite 21 Posts
I want this one cleared up - I think I might have to seek legal advice on this one.
My SO has been using my car while her car is in the garage.
The other day, she rear-ended a car at a junction that started to leave the junction and then abruptly changed it's mind - dented the other car, not much more than paintwork issues on mine. These things can and do happen.
Turns out, my SO didn't have her own insurance renewed though - not for about a week or so prior to the event. She was discussing it with the insurance company but figured that since the policy was for her car, she didn't need it renewed there and then AND that my fully comp policy covered her to drive my car.
Can some confirm whether that's the case or not?
My SO has been using my car while her car is in the garage.
The other day, she rear-ended a car at a junction that started to leave the junction and then abruptly changed it's mind - dented the other car, not much more than paintwork issues on mine. These things can and do happen.
Turns out, my SO didn't have her own insurance renewed though - not for about a week or so prior to the event. She was discussing it with the insurance company but figured that since the policy was for her car, she didn't need it renewed there and then AND that my fully comp policy covered her to drive my car.
Can some confirm whether that's the case or not?
0
This discussion has been closed.
Latest News and Guides
Replies
There's only one person who can confirm whether she was insured on your car or not.
You!
Read your documents.
A fully comp policy doesn't automatically allow anyone to drive the vehicle.
Even if she was covered, your premium will be affected. The accident was 100% her fault, as she failed to allow sufficient stopping distance in front.
As in, that's fine that she DIDN'T have insurance? As I understood it, all drivers need to have insurance.
My policy does say any driver with my permission.
It's pretty simple if she didn't have her own valid insurance policy that allowed her to drive other cars then your insurance policy will either have to
a) allow any driver with your permission or
b) Name your partner as a driver.
If it is one of those two she will be covered. If it's solely you as a driver listed on your policy then she isn't covered.
Then she's covered under your policy. But you will need to pay the excess and the resultant higher premium. Rear bumper damage to a modern car can easily cost £2K or more.
As for her lapsed policy, yes, she's committing an offence: an uninsured vehicle must be off the road and SORN'd. It's also very foolish financially: if the car suffers theft, damage or fire while under repair, then she would need to claim off the repairer's policy, not her own. Assuming they have such cover, which not all backstreet repair businesses will.
You need to quote what your certificate says (not your policy)
The cert is the definitive document showing who is covered
You may have to stick to your guns though. I have same policy and OH had a similar accident driving with my permission. In the end it had to go to the underwriters, but policy was pretty clear and my insurers had to pay up.