Named Driver

[meoghanb]

My daughter is a named driver on my insurance for my car. She is away at university so doesn't drive the car at all in term time (30 weeks). For the rest of the year, we share the use of the car. So far so good...
However, as part of her course, she has to do a five week placement, away from home and university. The plan is for her to take the car so she would have exclusive use of it for that period.
The question is, do I HAVE TO tell my insurance company about this? And even if I don't have to, SHOULD I tell them?
Is it likely (possible) that the insurance company will want an additional premium for this period?

[woofgang]

My answer is that the only person who can tell you definitively is your insurance company.....but are you SURE she will have exclusive use of the car? I mean theoretically...if you needed the car, really needed it for a couple of days, could she get it back to you? Because I think it may be the “exclusive use” thing that might make a difference....If she is going to be the majority user for the five weeks, that’s a bit different from her being the exclusive user with no chance or possibility that you could use the car......that’s my take anyway.

[ladybirder]

My daughter is a named driver on my car insurance and I have never seen any stipulation as to how much driving she can or can't do. And I certainly wouldn't worry about it for just five weeks. If she was at home and was the only driver for five weeks you wouldn't worry I shouldn't think. The only hesitation I have is that it won't be parked where it is usually parked for that five weeks and that could make a difference to your premium so I would do as woof says and ask.

[Buenchico]

Even if we ignore the extended use of the vehicle by the secondary driver, and the fact that it will be used during that period well away from the address on the insurance policy, it's possible that way the vehicle is to be used (e.g. to get between your daughter's temporary accommodation and where she needs to be for her course) will fall outside of the description stated on the insurance policy. (e.g. 'social, domestic and pleasure' and/or 'commuting from the policyholder's home address to a regular place of employment').

Therefore I'd regard it as ESSENTIAL that the insurer is informed of the temporary change of use of the vehicle. They might require an additional premium but it would be a discretionary matter for the insurer to consider.

[johnk]

As the car and insurance policy is in your name you must be the main user of the car. If your daughter is the main user she will be uninsured on your policy and will need her own (expensive). Many parents fall foul of this and end up in a lot of trouble.

[bhg481]

Buenchico has said exactly what I was going to say. If you contact your insurance company they just might want an extra premium. If you don't and something goes wrong your daughter could end up with 6 points on her licence which will cost more in the long run, especially if she's a new driver and it leads to a ban and retest.

[Gizmonster]

Look at it this way - if you were going away on holiday for 5 weeks, would it even cross your mind about informing the insurance company, even though your daughter would have exclusive use of the vehicle for 5 weeks??
The only problem, as already stated by Chris, is the different use of the vehicle.
Personally, I'd inform them ...... better safe than sorry :)

[Arrods]

johnk Doesn't necessarily follow that the p/h has to be the main user. Insurers sometimes ask who the main user is. I'm a p/h but o/h is the main user and the insurer is aware of that.

[bednobs]

you need to contact your insurance co - if you didnt need to tell them, it wont matter that you did. If you do need to tell them, it will matter A LOT that you didnt