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Test driving a car before insurance is purchased

  • 03-02-2013 06:11PM
    #1
    UDP
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I am looking to test drive a second hand car this week. I do not have any insurance in my name and sometimes drive a car with open insurance. The car to be tested is covered under the existing owner's insurance.

    Anyone know my options or is it a case that I cannot test drive the car on a public road?

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    GTDolanator
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 772 ✭✭✭GTDolanator


    Do you not have to have a policy in your name to avail of open drive?


  • #3
    UDP
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭UDP


    No, just need a full EU license.


  • #4
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,722 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    If the car owner's policy allows it, the OP can drive and be covered for 3rd party provided he is aged between 25 and 70 and has a full licence. It will be clearly stated on the car owner's insurance cert. whether the policy includes this cover or not.

    I deliberately avoiding using the term 'open driving' above. To some people it means I can drive other cars, to others it means other people can drive my car, your choice. As the actual term 'open driving' is never mentioned in motor insurance policy documents, it means whatever you want it to.


  • #5
    kilograms
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 203 ✭✭kilograms


    i thought you needed comprehensive insurance to drive other cars


  • #6
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,722 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    kilograms wrote: »
    i thought you needed comprehensive insurance to drive other cars

    You can be covered under a policy of your own or under the car owner's policy or both. It's clearly stated on your insurance cert. what you can drive and who can drive your car. I don't believe every company requires you to have fully comp. in order to be covered to drive other cars.

    Typically insurance companies impose a condition that if you are covered both ways, you must claim in the first instance under the other guy's insurance (i.e. the insurance policy on the borrowed car) and only if that falls through will they allow you to claim off your own policy (if you're covered to drive other cars).

    If I was selling my car in the morning, I would be allowed under my policy to permit someone with a full licence (between 25 and 70) to do a test drive and be covered under my policy regardless of whether he has an insurance policy in his own name or not.


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  • #7
    oldyouth
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,754 ✭✭✭oldyouth


    coylemj wrote: »
    If I was selling my car in the morning, I would be allowed under my policy to permit someone with a full licence (between 25 and 70) to do a test drive and be covered under my policy regardless of whether he has an insurance policy in his own name or not.
    You are right, of course. However, if they have an accident during the course of the test drive under your policy, it is your NCB that is affected and it becomes a part of your claims experience going forward


  • #8
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,722 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    oldyouth wrote: »
    You are right, of course. However, if they have an accident during the course of the test drive under your policy, it is your NCB that is affected and it becomes a part of your claims experience going forward

    Yes, I'm aware of that. The alternative is that I can only offer a test drive to people who show up on my doorstep with an insurance cert. in their own name and which includes the code indicating that they can drive other cars not owned by them.

    Either way, I'm carrying the risk if they crash my car into a lamp post as I would have no cover whatsoever for that event unless they have comprehensive cover to drive other cars which is offered by some companies such as Axa to policyholders such as myself with a good history.


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