Car insurance question

irelandhouse

a bit and stupid problem to have had happen!/.
but any advise would be very much appreciated, and please I am well aware that this is a stupid problem to have.

Had motor insurance on our car, I was a named driver on the policy.

we purchased a new car. we transferred the insurance from our old car to the new one as the car was being driven by my partner as she was using the new car. (me still being a named driver on the policy)

I purchased a new policy for older car in my own name.
I had to complete the direct debit forms firstly before the certificate would be provided. I did not complete the forms correctly and the policy was then cancelled - which I was unaware of.
This was over Christmas and shortly after the car was in the garage for engine work for about 3 weeks so was off the road for a time and this went out of my head.

This week I was stopped by Gardai. Whom when they went to the disc holders I realised that I never got the original certificate of insurance. I rang to the insurance company, whom then informed me about the policy cancellation!

The Gardai ceased the car as I could not provide proof of car insurance.

I immediately after this got onto the insurance company again and completed a new policy which is live on the car now and all forms completed. The certificate should be with me over the next day/two.

My questions is,

1. does my 'driving other cars' on our newer car cover me to drive the older one ? the policy states : If you drive other vehicles
In terms of the limits of cover provided by this section in connection with any vehicle referred to in the ‘Description of vehicles’, we will cover you for any event while driving a motor car (or motorcycle) you do not
own or have hired under a hire-purchase agreement. However, we will not pay a claim for any injury to any person carried on the motorcycle unless they are in a sidecar.

2. The new insurance on the car came into effect at midnight on the day I was stopped, i.e. 12 hours before I was stopped. Does this do anything to help!

again this was a stupid mistake and one not done intentionally. my insurance costs are not massive, so I did not do this to save money or anything like that.

Is there anything that can be done to save this! any advice greatly appriciated.

flyingsnail

1, You own the car so you are not covered

we will cover you for any event while driving a motor car (or motorcycle) you do not
own

2, it is likely that on the paperwork it shows when the policy was purchased which would show that there was no policy in place when you were stopped.

irelandhouse

flyingsnail wrote: »

1, You own the car so you are not covered
2, it is likely that on the paperwork it shows when the policy was purchased which would show that there was no policy in place when you were stopped.

thanks for your reply.
The car would be in my partners name ? would this count.

It shows on the certificate the time as 00.01 on the day.

this I know is clutching at straws.

what would be the best action to take ? solicitor?

flyingsnail

irelandhouse wrote: »

thanks for your reply.
The car would be in my partners name ? would this count.

I am not a legal eagle but it was her policy and a car she owned so I would think not.

It shows on the certificate the time as 00.01 on the day.

Guards would probably be wise to things like that particularly for policy purchased on the same day as you were stopped
and may ask for more than the cert, maybe a time and dated receipt.

this I know is clutching at straws.
what would be the best action to take ? solicitor?

I would definitely take it to a solicitor if you want to try and get off.

To Elland Back

Firstly, as a named driver on your partner's car, you do not have cover for 'Driving of other cars'. Only the policyholder gets that.

Secondly, when the Gardai stopped you, did they advise you that they intend to prosecute you for driving without insurance? If so, did you disclose this to the insurance company when you took out cover later that day? If not, there good be a serious problem you that policy