Need help with Insurance for 17 year old girl

Owen

Friend of mine is trying to insure his 17 year old daughter on a MINI Cooper. It's her first car, and she's on a provisional. They got a quote from Axa for 2300 which they were happy to pay, but on ringing up to get the quote put through a few days later, they were told it was a mistake, and quoted the fat end of 3000 edging towards 4. Axa refused to stand over the quote.

Could anyone recommend a good insurer for her situation? They've tried XS direct and had no luck there either. Would appreciate any ideas anyone has. Thanks guys!

I know the thread has the potential to descend into a 'force Axa to do ...' type discussion, but they're only looking for alternatives for the moment.

stephendevlin

Quinn Insurance seemed to be the only person to insure "inexperienced drivers" What about an adult policy and then add the 17 year old onto it.

squod

Have you called in to any branch offices of the insurers? Maybe call in to FBD, getting dearer for me, still get a better deal when I call in though.

langdang

I'd say keep ringing, if it's the newer PSA/BMW 1.6 maybe it's coming up as 120bhp in some databases, thus designating it a supercar by Irish insurance standards?

cojomo2

Hi OP,

the problem here is the car. Is she going down as a named driver(fathers car), or has the car been bought for her for her full time use?

The car has not far off 200bph which is regarded as a sports car by insurance companies. Not an ideal car for a 17 y.o person without a driving license..

Owen

Car has 115bhp, it's a 04 cooper. It's already been bought for her on the strength of the Axa quote.

Sugarfree

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Friend of mine is trying to insure his 17 year old daughter on a MINI Cooper. It's her first car, and she's on a provisional. They got a quote from Axa for 2300 which they were happy to pay, but on ringing up to get the quote put through a few days later, they were told it was a mistake, and quoted the fat end of 3000 edging towards 4. Axa refused to stand over the quote.

Could anyone recommend a good insurer for her situation? They've tried XS direct and had no luck there either. Would appreciate any ideas anyone has. Thanks guys!

I know the thread has the potential to descend into a 'force Axa to do ...' type discussion, but they're only looking for alternatives for the moment.

More money then sense getting a 17 old on a learners permit her own car and insurance.

cadaliac

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Car has 115bhp, it's a 04 cooper. It's already been bought for her on the strength of the Axa quote.

Fair enough, but on a provisional, she will have to have a fully licenced driver with her at all times (cough cough), anyway, as mentioned before - get an adult policy, add her as a named driver until she gets her full licence, then change it over to her own policy.

langdang

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Car has 115bhp, it's a 04 cooper. It's already been bought for her on the strength of the Axa quote.

I'm surprised by those quotes for a female in a 1.6petrol under 120bhp - God help any youngfella trying to get insured in something of equivalent power.

Is there any chance some phone monkeys are making the same mistake as cojomo? Sometimes you need to coax them through these things

Alanstrainor

Sugarfree wrote: »

More money then sense getting a 17 old on a learners permit her own car and insurance.

You can drop that right there. The OP is not looking for a debate on what car they should be getting etc. Unless you know an insurer or broker that might be able to sort the OP out, don't post.

gooch2k9

langdang wrote: »

I'm surprised by those quotes for a female in a 1.6petrol under 120bhp - God help any youngfella trying to get insured in something of equivalent power.

Is there any chance some phone monkeys are making the same mistake as cojomo? Sometimes you need to coax them through these things

God help young fellas getting insured on anything

markc1184

What about Zurich? Don't they do the Ladystar policy. Worth a shot anyway.

cojomo2

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Car has 115bhp, it's a 04 cooper. It's already been bought for her on the strength of the Axa quote.

Ups, sorry OP, thought they were all up around the 200bhp mark, like the cooper s, didnt know there was a low powered version. That is pretty crap that they won't stand over their quote.

What about that place sheilas wheels?

Delancey

cojomo2 wrote: »

Ups, sorry OP, thought they were all up around the 200bhp mark, like the cooper s, didnt know there was a low powered version. That is pretty crap that they won't stand over their quote.

What about that place sheilas wheels?

I have heard that Sheilas Wheels don't want to know about Provisional licence holders - are Sheilas Wheels even in Ireland ?

gooch2k9

What about Brittons in Donegal town. Came quite close to Quinn for me(male) at my last renewal, so I would imagine they would be pretty good for girls too.

cml387

cadaliac wrote: »

Fair enough, but on a provisional, she will have to have a fully licenced driver with her at all times (cough cough), anyway, as mentioned before - get an adult policy, add her as a named driver until she gets her full licence, then change it over to her own policy.

This is known as "fronting" and as such may lead to a voided policy:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/moneybox/7052569.stm

cadaliac

cml387 wrote: »

This is known as "fronting" and as such may lead to a voided policy:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/moneybox/7052569.stm

I didn't know that. However, some companies allow the owner to be different to the main driver.
Anyway, I would change the name of the owner to be the parent, who will be the main driver, until the 17 year old gets a full licence.
Otherwise - bite the bullet.

PaintDoctor

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Car has 115bhp, it's a 04 cooper. It's already been bought for her on the strength of the Axa quote.

Is it red with a SS centre exhaust? I think I noticed an 04 Red Cooper turn up locally enough in the last week. I'm sure it's a Cooper, not so sure on the 04 part !! (Just incase that sounded weird)

Homer

Just watch out for a large excess on the cheaper quotes.

Raskolnikov

Britton Insurance are definitely worth a go. Quinn and Zurich would also be worth going to.

By the way, I am currently with Axa. When I took out my insurance with them, I never called them. I just filled out the online form, paid the money and when a letter came out, I sent in my documentation. I never spoke to a rep through the entire process. If you can't get a better quote else where, maybe just go through their online system and don't say a bit?

-Corkie-

Have she tried One direct. If not put her Father/Mother on as a named driver on the policy as they give discounts for experienced named drivers. Other than that Brittons or Quinn..

coylemj

Raskolnikov wrote: »

If you can't get a better quote else where, maybe just go through their online system and don't say a bit?

Just because you're not asked a specific question doesn't mean that you can withhold information, it's the responsibility of the policyholder to disclose everything that affects risk to the insurance company.

JimmyCrackCorn

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Friend of mine is trying to insure his 17 year old daughter on a MINI Cooper. It's her first car, and she's on a provisional. They got a quote from Axa for 2300 which they were happy to pay, but on ringing up to get the quote put through a few days later, they were told it was a mistake, and quoted the fat end of 3000 edging towards 4. Axa refused to stand over the quote.

Could anyone recommend a good insurer for her situation? They've tried XS direct and had no luck there either. Would appreciate any ideas anyone has. Thanks guys!

I know the thread has the potential to descend into a 'force Axa to do ...' type discussion, but they're only looking for alternatives for the moment.

Your going to have to try all the insurers. 3k is nuts but its probably not going to do well on this one.

I have a thread in modified cars where i rang every insurer i could find.


Things worth trying:

• Hibernian advanced driving course
• Putting an older lady on the insurance as a named driver
• Putting her on your insurance until she has more experience

Not going to be fun though

coylemj

cadaliac wrote: »

get an adult policy, add her as a named driver until she gets her full licence, then change it over to her own policy.

The problem with this proposal is that in a household where a 17 year old girl is getting a Mini Cooper, its more than likely that every adult in the house already has their own car and insurance policy so there is no opportunity to start a new policy in the name of any of the adults, that is probably why the OP (sorry, the OP's friend) needs to take out a policy in the name of the 17 year old.

Owen

Some seriously great ideas here guys, keep 'em coming! I'll forward the URL for this thread to the person involved. Not me, despite it being MINI related.

cadaliac

Surely you can have as many policies as you like. One for each car so to speak. I had one for a car and one for a van (yes I know this is different).
I am not trying to imply the OP's friend should do anything illegal, but the rules and regulations being laid out by the insurance company's is just ridiculous.
I know the company has to cover itself and some people will exploit any weakness or loophole, but if the OP's friend wants a policy, with their daughter on the policy - so be it. But €3k.....ffs.
Yo can understand why so many people hate insurance companies.
Just to reiterate - I am not condoning any illegal action that would null and void your policy.

cadaliac

cadaliac wrote: »

But €3k.....ffs..

17
no experience of driving

is €3000 out of the way?

I paid that with a full license and 2 years NCB iirc.

coylemj

cadaliac wrote: »

Surely you can have as many policies as you like. One for each car so to speak. I had one for a car and one for a van (yes I know this is different).

Last time I checked, the price to insure a second car (you're right, a van is different) was pretty much the same as for the first car. I bought a new car and had an old car that I wanted to keep, I thought I'd get cover on the old car for next to nothing (no named drivers) on the basis that I could only be driving one car at a time but what they quoted me was almost as much as if it was my only car so I had to get rid of it.

There is also the issue that insuring two cars in the name of a single adult and adding a 17 year old as a named driver to one of them would be pretty obviously a sham, the insurance companies aren't that stupid.

cadaliac

RoverJames wrote: »

17
no experience of driving

is €3000 out of the way?

I paid that with a full license and 2 years NCB iirc.

Agreed RJ, in that respect you are correct.
I am still of the view that we pay far too much for insurance in this country. Not only for cars either. Its across the board. And, not all of it can be explained.
"ahh sher, thats the way it is".:mad:

4zn76tysfajdxp

Try Bill Cullen insurance also.

mattjack

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Friend of mine is trying to insure his 17 year old daughter on a MINI Cooper. It's her first car, and she's on a provisional. They got a quote from Axa for 2300 which they were happy to pay, but on ringing up to get the quote put through a few days later, they were told it was a mistake, and quoted the fat end of 3000 edging towards 4. Axa refused to stand over the quote.

Could anyone recommend a good insurer for her situation? They've tried XS direct and had no luck there either. Would appreciate any ideas anyone has. Thanks guys!

I know the thread has the potential to descend into a 'force Axa to do ...' type discussion, but they're only looking for alternatives for the moment.

sorry bout Axa,s behaviour... crappy...but if you ask for a reference number with any future quotes ,I think you can hold them to the quote

Owen

As per the original post, that's all been tried.

challengemaster

PaintDoctor wrote: »

As per the original post, that's all been tried.

If everything's been tried, why don't they try paying whatever quote they got?

unkel

If the quote is unacceptable, but the best you can get you might consider either:

1. Don't insure the car until she's passed her test (this can be done in a couple of months at a push with a lot of practice - perhaps on a cheap 1l banger you could buy and sell on at a minimal loss)

2. Insure the car but cancel the insurance as soon as she passes the test, so you can get a better quote elsewhere

3. Sell the MINI or store it and let her get her license PLUS build up a year of no claims in her own name first on a cheap 1l car

challengemaster

On the assumption that she'll be waiting somewhere in the region of 6 months to do the test anyway - option #2 is kind of pointless, won't get that much money back, and will just be losing out on a year NCB.

tk123

RSA thru AON were the cheapest for me when I was on my provisional license - I was closer to 27 than 17 at the time thou lol :pac:

Owen

challengemaster wrote: »

If everything's been tried, why don't they try paying whatever quote they got?

Everything's been tried with Axa to get them to honour their quote. The purpose of this thread, is to see what alternative recommendations other people had or suggestions - which have been fantastic. I've eMailed this thread to the guy in question, and he's going to be trying all the suggestions when he's back on Monday.

I've little or no experience when it comes to younger insurance, so the boardsies have come up trumps! Muchly appreciated.

star-pants

Would they try ringing insure.ie ? I've gotten all my policies through them.
I was covered on my dads' car under his insurance when I had my provisional, but when I bought my own car I got insured on it myself (granted only a 1L Polo) as a provisional driver and then when I passed my test a few months later you send in the details and they adjust it.
But they were able to give me a quote, I know I was 23/24 but still worth a shot maybe.

sentient_6

Ring Britton & ask them about their insurance through Asgard. Its specifically geared for younger drivers(17 - 25).

unkel

challengemaster wrote: »

On the assumption that she'll be waiting somewhere in the region of 6 months to do the test anyway

That was the case years ago. I believe the long waiting lists are long gone now?

Edit : quick look in the learning to drive forum shows that waiting lists are about 2 months now.

challengemaster

unkel wrote: »

That was the case years ago. I believe the long waiting lists are long gone now?

Edit : quick look in the learning to drive forum shows that waiting lists are about 2 months now.

Have to wait 6 months after getting the learner permit before sitting the test anywho

unkel

Ah ok, but that's new legislation, no? Might not apply to the girl in question? Maybe she's already applied for the test?

challengemaster

Nope, always had to wait 6 months, since learner permits came in...

unkel

Maybe she's had her learner permit for 6 months already?

Alanstrainor

unkel wrote: »

Maybe she's had her learner permit for 6 months already?

That legislation has been running for a number of years already.

But I would presume that she didn't get her Learner Permit yesterday, which would mean she has a head start on the whole situation.

She would be able to book a test, state on the application that she cannot sit a test until date X and it's very likely she would get a test date as soon as she is able to do one.

New regulations came into force on April 4th just gone, which would means some extra "hassle" but it shouldn't really drag the process out any longer.

patrickc

Have they the original quote in writing?

A friend of mine was quoted 800 approx for insurance last year after a claim, when she went into pay she was told it was 1,000. She argued and they refused to budge. after talking to a friend of mine (a manager with an insurance company) she discovered because she had the original quote in writing they were obliged to honour it for 14 days might of been 28 days cant remember the exact amount. She went back to the original insurers and told them they were obliged to honour the quote, and if not she would pursue with the insurance ombusdman and they did.

rachos89

Hi!

I was in a similar-ish situation, except my car's a 1.2 and I'm 21, but I'm on a learner's permit too so trying to find insurance was a bit of a headache! Did a lot of research and got a lot of different quotes online, and concluded the following:

1. Tesco.ie was the most reasonable as far as I was concerned, and they offer different standards of Comprehensive insurance which means you can pick Value, Standard or Finest and get different added benefits accordingly. I went for Standard and got it for €1164 with an excess of €300. Plus if you have a Clubcard or a Credit Card with them you get a discount And they're underwritten by RSA so it's all safe!

2. None of the companies geared towards female drivers will even look at drivers on learner permits, so give up there now!

3. Quinn direct will only give you Third Party, Fire and Theft if you're on a learner's permit, and it's still fairly expensive compared to Tesco

4. Bestquote.ie, pibasure.ie, quoteme.ie and AA will all quote a learner driver too, so they might be worth checking.

I was going to go with the AA until I checked Tesco on a whim, and I'm glad I did now! HTH!

coylemj

patrickc wrote: »

Have they the original quote in writing?

A friend of mine was quoted 800 approx for insurance last year after a claim, when she went into pay she was told it was 1,000. She argued and they refused to budge. after talking to a friend of mine (a manager with an insurance company) she discovered because she had the original quote in writing they were obliged to honour it for 14 days might of been 28 days cant remember the exact amount. She went back to the original insurers and told them they were obliged to honour the quote, and if not she would pursue with the insurance ombusdman and they did.

I think you'll find that they did so just to get rid of her so she did a good job threatening them with the ombudsman and whatever other sh1te she kicked up.

However I seriously doubt that any online quote doesn't come with reams of disclaimers, one of which is that they are not obliged to honour the quote i.e. it's not worth the paper (sic) it's written on.

patrickc

coylemj wrote: »

I think you'll find that they did so just to get rid of her so she did a good job threatening them with the ombudsman and whatever other sh1te she kicked up.

However I seriously doubt that any online quote doesn't come with reams of disclaimers, one of which is that they are not obliged to honour the quote i.e. it's not worth the paper (sic) it's written on.

it wasnt an online quote she had had, it was in writing from them originally.