First time driver - insurance??

SpitfireIV

Hi guys,

I'm sure this has been covered a million times, but, I'll throw it out there again


Anyway, heres the story....

I've got my learner permit recently and am currently taking driving lessons (with a qualified ADI trainer), two done thus far and going well.


I'm on the lookout for a first vehicle (hope to get a little van, Berlingo or the likes, be handy for work). Hope to get this pretty soon so I can get practicing in it and getting the feel for it. However I'm assuming I couldnt just buy a van, hope in (with a holder of a full license of course) and practice. Do I have to have some sort of insurance first??

I hear that you can become a 'named driver' under someones insurance, so, could I be covered by my dads for instance? He is the holder of the policy and at the mo' only covers him. Will this make his insurance much dearer and what limitations are there?

Thanks for any help

Speedy199

A van commerical insurance on your own would be hard enough to get so id say try under your dad..

If your looking for your own insurance i got a quote on a 1,4 focus for 1799 and you get it 200 cheaper if you had your dad as a named driver. not bad for a first timer..

Named driver would be your best bet to be honest

Alanstrainor

Okay, there are a number of crossed wires or misunderstandings here.

First of all, yes, you need to be insured on any vehicle before driving it. This means either you take out your own policy, or you get added as a named driver on someone else's policy. These are generally the only options available to Learner Permit holders.

If your car/car-van is not for commercial use, then you will be getting a regular insurance policy like everyone else. You'll have to research the cost of insuring a van privately, it may end up being expensive, so it may not make sense to get a van.

If you are going to be the primary driver of this new car/van, your dad cannot take out a policy in his name, and simply add you as a named driver. This would be making a false declaration on your policy, and would have repercussions. Insurance companies come across this every day, they know what happens.

matt70iu

Hi

Insurance companies have gotten very strict in relation to insuring vans. Many are now refusing to insure them privately and insisting you must take out a commercial policy.

Further to that, they also insist you must have an occupation for which you will use the van. For example, plumber, electrician etc etc in order to justify insuring it commercially.

You could try a few brokers and see how you get on. I ended up ditching the van idea, as I couldn't find insurance for a reasonable price and my occupation didn't justify it's use.

On a learner permit, this will be even more difficult. I would suggest a carvan as some will insure these privately.

Happy vehicle hunting:)

SpitfireIV

Thanks for the help guys.


At the mo' I'm just getting a little van for lugging stuff around in and hopefully shortly to use for a bit of work (furniture/cabinet making), delivery, shows etc.

I cant understand why there should be any issues trying to insure a van privately? Its just another form of vechicle.......that can carry only 2 people?


Oh, I should add that I'm 28, I think once you get over 25 insurance becomes a bit cheaper? Although I know first insurance isnt cheap. Such a b*&ch that I'll probably have to pay more on insurance than I will pay for the van!! Sort of putting me off the idea of getting my own set of wheels

matt70iu

Yeah I know. These changes seemed to happen around the same time they changed the rules for commercial tax.

Ring around a few and see how ya get on. I didn't have much luck with the main ones. Axa, Quinn, Aviva, all told me the same thing. You might have better luck with a broker.

I got a carvan insured with quinn privately in the end. Only thing was I had to tax it privately too:(

Worked well and served it's purpose when I needed!

SpitfireIV

€1,820 with Quinn?! :eek: feck that Dont expect any of the other major brokers to be any cheaper.


So, if I got this right, I cant actually go out between lessons and practice with a 'sponsor' unless I have some sort of insurance?!

Alanstrainor

CroppyBoy1798 wrote: »

€1,820 with Quinn?! :eek: feck that Dont expect any of the other major brokers to be any cheaper.


So, if I got this right, I cant actually go out between lessons and practice with a 'sponsor' unless I have some sort of insurance?!

You can't do anything in the driver seat without insurance! Unless you have your own private road.

Quinn are not the cheapest, ring around, don't rely solely on online quotes, you shouldn't have too much bother getting a good quote considering you're an ould fella:pac::pac::pac:

Davy

Alanstrainor wrote: »

don't rely solely on online quotes

This is so true when it comes to car insurance. Its nearly always better to phone than do it online in my experience