“Wrong Type Of Driving Licence"?

[ask100]

I've been looking for quotes for motor insurance online for myself and my wife as an additional driver. This is the surprising response I received from one well known insurer: "We can't offer you a quote with your wife included because of her type of driving licence."
She has held her full licence for over 40 years with no problem and is insured as the main driver on her own car with no problems.
Does any member understand what this means or has had a similar experience?

[THECORBYLOON]

Might it not be better to ask the Insurer what the issue is?

[tonyav]

Did she pass her test in a car with an automatic gearbox ?
Has your car got a manual gearbox and has her car got an automatic gearbox ?

Other than that I can't think of any other reason why the insurance company would say that.

[Mamyalynne]

As long as she has a full licence and not just Cat A it should be ok.

Try somewhere else and ask if they decline.

[Gizmonster]

I'm just wondering if you've filled in the quote form incorrectly.
Could you have accidently put your wife down as having a provisional licence maybe??

[Hopkirk]

I think Giz is right. You are communicating with a computer, and something you have put in has caused this

[Buenchico]

Are you trying to insure your vehicle for any specific purpose (such as towing), which might not be included on your wife's licence? (I'm fumbling in the dark here!).

BTW: I've commented before about how much I love your avatar. I just couldn't resist running it through some image enhancement software ;-)
https://ibb.co/jL76KST

[Hopkirk]

Perhaps she's got herself banned, and hasn't told you yet.

[ask100]

Thanks for all your responses.
None of the suggestions made apply though.
If you fill in the wrong details of a driving licence it gets rejected so I know it was correct. My wife has been an additional driver for my vehicle for years and years and she has comprehensive insurance as the main driver on her own car.
The next insurer I tried offered me a reasonable quote including my "better half" which I accepted.
I am aware how difficult it can be to get an answer on the phone as to why the computer says "no".
Finally thanks for that lovely enhancement Buenchico.

[Hopkirk]

Thanks for updating us.

Their incompetence, and their loss.

[THECORBYLOON]

CHRIS, I think the ears are wanting a wee bit work...

[Buenchico]

^^^ I agree, TCL, but I've already tidied them up quite a bit from the way that the artificial intelligence software originally presented them (unless, of course, Ask100 is actually related to Mr Spock).
;-)

[bhg481]

Does she still have a paper licence as opposed to a photo licence? I can't see how the information you've given them would tell them that but maybe it does and they think it matters.

[ask100]

Problem solved!!!
I have now inspected my wife's driving licence and discovered that it has expired!
My apologies to all members who took the time to make suggestions. I hold myself entirely at fault. ( Well I had better not blame "her indoors"). Just put it down to Covid.
It is interesting that I was still able to obtain cover under the circumstances.
Incidentally my ears are quite normal' all though they may have protruded a little in those days as I was very skinny in the 1940s.

[Hopkirk]

Thanks for updating us.

[barry1010]

bhg, paper licences are still valid, I have one.

[ask100]

Addendum to my previous communication:
The Government extended the renewal of driving licences by 11 months, Covid again, so my wife's licence is still in date. Not sure what is going on but I will renew it online today as is allowed.

[bhg481]

barry - yes, I know they are but a photo licence has a photo on it so identifies the holder accurately, so I wondered if the insurance company thought there was a higher possibility of the "wrong" person using the licence. Back in the day I swapped my paper licence for a photo one as Spain would not accept the paper licence; I just wondered if the insurance company had some similar reason for not accepting the licence.