Check your insurance for third party cover on non owned vehicles (1 Viewer)

Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
6,194
East Sussex
Funster No
1,134
MH
Autotrail
Exp
1995
This is not me, just a post I read elswehere for your information

======================================

Just wanted to warn anyone that drives a friend or family members car on their own comprehensive insurance policy to check their policies on renewal.

to clarify.. you have comprehensive cover on your own vehicle ... borrow a friends insured car but drive it under your own insure with just third party risks...

I did this the other day (as I have previously) as my friend wanted a drink ... and was stopped by the police for a faulty brake light. (which we didn't know about). After confirming the car was my friend's they checked his insurance and asked if I was driving the car on my own insurance policy which I stated I was. They then took details of my vehicle and address to check this to be told by control that I did not have insurance to drive other cars. I was gobsmacked as I have always had this cover ( checked old policies to make sure) . The police officer then informed us that a lot of insurance companies are removing the third party cover for other vehicles automatically on renewal. So if you don't read the terms and conditions you would not realise. (sure I'm not the only one not to check on renewal papers) . Because they had been told I was not insured my friend was then breathalysed as well to see if he was able to drive the car. Luckily he was well under the limit or he was told his car could of been towed! Because of this change on the insurance policy I now have 6 points on my licence and a hefty fine to pay... (and yes I know I should of checked too .. but you don't expect the cover to change on a renewal with the same company)

So if you drive cars other then your own, ask for the third party cover .. or if it's a regular thing then get put as a named driver on their policy if that's possible

=====================================

Peter
 

Carol

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 2, 2007
14,044
111,494
North Wales.
Funster No
519
MH
A class
Exp
18 years s Motorhome (33years caravans)
This is true, when I renewed my car insurance last month got the quotes, chose one then read the terms and noticed that I was not covered to drive any one else's car.

As I sometimes drive the daughters car on my insurance rang the broker and said I needed this cover, he checked around and for a extra £1.50p got the cover I needed.

So yes definitely worth checking.
 

Jaws

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 26, 2008
23,821
71,977
Thetford Norfolk
Funster No
4,189
MH
C class, Chieftain
Exp
since 2006 ( I think ! )
It happened to me several years ago.

I took it to court and defended myself.

I pleaded guilty ( as it is an absolute offence but asked if I may produce a witness to corroborate that I was unaware of the change.

I called my insurance broker and he, under oath, said that they ( the brokerage ) nor the insurance company had actually informed me of the change, and under the ( then new ) laws concerning small print, the JPs took the view that although an offence had been committed it was not actually done deliberately.
I still had to take the 6 points but no fine or costs

Bottom line Peter, get a solicitor on it ( as I am sure you will any way ) and mention that the change was not brought to your attention

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Jaws

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 26, 2008
23,821
71,977
Thetford Norfolk
Funster No
4,189
MH
C class, Chieftain
Exp
since 2006 ( I think ! )
Cheers Carol !

See... I am a bloke... yes it was in red.. yes it was in big writing

BUT IT WAS NOT FLASHING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE !!!

As a man how was I expected to see the first line !! ?? :ROFLMAO: :winky::winky:
 

rainbow chasers

Free Member
Oct 30, 2009
3,680
1,725
Mid Cornwall
Funster No
9,132
MH
Various
Exp
9
It is interesting how insurers do these things an get away with it. It isn't the first time I have heard of policy features being dropped without notice - common one nowadays is the 'auto renew/two year policy where they give you a good price one year and treble it the next with huge penalties if you try to go elsewhere.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jul 28, 2010
1,710
617
The world
Funster No
12,902
MH
Small car
Exp
1
It is interesting how insurers do these things an get away with it. It isn't the first time I have heard of policy features being dropped without notice - common one nowadays is the 'auto renew/two year policy where they give you a good price one year and treble it the next with huge penalties if you try to go elsewhere.
that is the biggest con they use and get away with
that bloody small print every time :cry::cry:
 
Jan 28, 2008
10,104
18,260
Dovercourt, Harwich, UK
Funster No
1,353
MH
Renalt burstner
Exp
7 years campers before that
i almost changed my policy to a cheaper one but found that it didnt offer cover for driving others cars
also worth noting that the car you borrow to drive must also be insured another change they slipped in without broadcasting it
ive also noticed that policies are comphrehensive cover not fully comprehensive cover
 
Last edited:
Aug 30, 2012
4,270
11,303
Home of the war horse
Funster No
22,676
MH
burstnar T640
Exp
2010
i almost changed my policy to a cheaper one but found that it didnt offer cover for driving others cars
also worth noting that the car you borrow to drive must also be insured another change they slipped in without broadcasting it
ive also noticed that policies are comphrehensive cover not fully comprehensive cover

So what is the difference between fully comp and comp
I have comp and I was fully comp with last company

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

stcyr

Free Member
Apr 11, 2011
1,765
1,160
Normandie
Funster No
16,005
MH
A class
Exp
On & off, since 1966 - fulltime since 2005
When I go in to see M.Poupinet, our local insurance man, whether it's to do with the house insurances or the vehicle insurances, new cover or revisions, everything is read out aloud, however long it may take. Never any nasty surprises. And most visits are rounded off with a quick visit to 'Chez Nicole' for a swift Calva or two...


:Cool:
 

chesterfield hooligan

LIFE MEMBER
May 12, 2009
1,913
3,996
Hucknall, Nottingham, UK
Funster No
6,657
MH
Van conversion
Exp
10 years
:Smile: fully comp is compersive insurance they are the same, the other is third party, and third party fire and theft what it says on the box is what you get, cought with no insurance is a "i n 10" on your licance and 10 years loading they hammer you on insurance as you are dodging paying them :ROFLMAO:
 
Apr 27, 2009
435
218
Departed Cabopino in Oct 17
Funster No
6,478
MH
Dakota
Exp
Fulltiming from 2010- 2017
This is not me, just a post I read elswehere for your information

======================================

Just wanted to warn anyone that drives a friend or family members car on their own comprehensive insurance policy to check their policies on renewal.

to clarify.. you have comprehensive cover on your own vehicle ... borrow a friends insured car but drive it under your own insure with just third party risks...

I did this the other day (as I have previously) as my friend wanted a drink ... and was stopped by the police for a faulty brake light. (which we didn't know about). After confirming the car was my friend's they checked his insurance and asked if I was driving the car on my own insurance policy which I stated I was. They then took details of my vehicle and address to check this to be told by control that I did not have insurance to drive other cars. I was gobsmacked as I have always had this cover ( checked old policies to make sure) . The police officer then informed us that a lot of insurance companies are removing the third party cover for other vehicles automatically on renewal. So if you don't read the terms and conditions you would not realise. (sure I'm not the only one not to check on renewal papers) . Because they had been told I was not insured my friend was then breathalysed as well to see if he was able to drive the car. Luckily he was well under the limit or he was told his car could of been towed! Because of this change on the insurance policy I now have 6 points on my licence and a hefty fine to pay... (and yes I know I should of checked too .. but you don't expect the cover to change on a renewal with the same company)

So if you drive cars other then your own, ask for the third party cover .. or if it's a regular thing then get put as a named driver on their policy if that's possible

=====================================

Peter

Great advice John. 2 additional points.

1. When I renewed our van insurance with Safeguard, they confirmed that our van insurance only insures you to drive THAT SPECIFIC van. So, you cannot drive other vans or cars on THAT insurance.:Eeek:

2. Re your point above: When I was sitting as a magistrate on traffic offences, often the owner of the car was prosecuted & received a conviction & points for ALLOWING someone without insurance to drive their vehicle!!!:cry:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

rainbow chasers

Free Member
Oct 30, 2009
3,680
1,725
Mid Cornwall
Funster No
9,132
MH
Various
Exp
9
Some policies are so confusing sometimes, and it has even confused the Police!

I remember when the other half was stopped for a brake light out on the merc, she was given a producer. As she was at work, i popped back to the office and grabbed the vehicle insurance files and went down to the station to show them the policy docs.

Now we had a trade insurance for hire, and private ones to cover the private cars - I mistakenly handed her the hire one. As I was chatting to her and she was enteriung the info into her computer, I noticed, and apologised that I had given her the wrong one, and that that policy covered our hire vehicles and not the private cars.

She then stated that according to the law, the hire policy covered us as far as they were concerned as it stated 'Any vehicle owned by the insured, or any vehicle under their custody or control''

She took both policy details and was laughing saying that she usually had trouble getting one policy out of people, not them coming in with two 'valid' policies!

But it goes to show how confusing the policies are/can be. The insurers for the hire stated that no private vehicles were covered.....now if it enough to confuse the Law, how can an average joe understand and adhere to them?
 
Apr 27, 2008
11,794
13,956
Eastbourne East Sussex
Funster No
2,327
MH
Hymer low profile
Exp
Since 1972
I have just checked my van insurance (Comfort) and my car insurance (Zurich) and both cover driving another persons vehicle with their consent.

Both policies have been renewed in the last month or so.

Obviously worth checking though.
 
Jan 27, 2009
872
3,328
Leyland Lancs
Funster No
5,472
MH
A class
Exp
since 2001
I have just checked my van insurance (Comfort) and my car insurance (Zurich) and both cover driving another persons vehicle with their consent.

Both policies have been renewed in the last month or so.

Obviously worth checking though.


Definitely needs (re)checking?
I checked my M/H fully comp. insurance at 12oclock today, (Comfort), and was told I could only drive another persons vehicle in an emergency (?)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

scousebird

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 18, 2012
10,807
354,857
South East Kent
Funster No
20,628
MH
Bailey
Exp
March 2012
When we changed from the caravan to the MH the car went as well, we had son (23) & daughter (25) both at home at the time with cars so OH was able to borrow theirs as and when. Instead of driving them 3rd party they added him to their policies - it reduced the cost!!

They were told that it was because they now had an older and, hopefully, sensible driver on the policy.
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top