Mother is now off insurance.

londonbrian

I returned to Ireland a few months ago and I have been living with mother. I'm a named person on her insurance. She's nearly 70 and has been told for now her license won't be renewed due to having a very minor stroke a few years ago and a brain scan showing slight brain damage. If I'm the only one who can drive the car and the yearly insurance is valid until October, should we inform the insurance company.

RustyNut

You are obliged to inform your insurance company of any material changes, your mum as the main driver losing her licence would definitely count.

ironclaw

You should inform your insurance company. Any serious medical condition such as your mothers can potentially invalidate her insurance. There is nothing to be lost by informing them, they'll likely just put a note on the file and at renewal time, she'll likely be refused insurance. You'll then need to take ownership of the car and hence be the primary driver.

The only possible caveat, with some companies, is a named driver can't be the primary driver. Very, very few companies have a problem with this as they cost the insurance on all the drivers. However there may be a small charge to alter the policy or to reflect your mother is no longer driving. It harks back to the good old days where 40 year old Mary owned and was the primary driver on an Evo 10, but it was for her use, not her 19 year olds sons, obviously

londonbrian

Thank you for the information. She's a law-abiding citizen and will not be driving after her birthday. As you said, it's best to inform them.

bazz26

I think insurance companies have extenuating circumstances around illness and cover so definitely worth talking to them about it. At the very minimum you will need to inform them of the change in circumstances.

To Elland Back

Ask your mother's insurer to amend the policy to 'insured excluded'. Everything remains the same only your mother can't drive. It is still her car, so it is her insurable interest and her NCB will remain in place Stress that you live with her and are, essentially, her carer.

Make sure the person you speak to is familiar with the phrase 'insured excluded policy'

londonbrian

Thanks for all the feedback.

Dilbert75

Here's an awkward question and from your post I'm not clear about the timing: if she will be ineligible in a couple of months to drive due to a legacy health event, should she really be driving now? I ask from my experience of a close relative having had a series of TIAs that put her off the road for 3 months at a time but she's now driving again (with medical approval). But each time she was stopped driving for her and others' safety.

londonbrian

She has had no problems whilest driving. To be honest I think the medical authorities are being over-cautious. If it was a serious issue she should have been told not to drive two years ago. It was a very minor stroke. Other people she knows are driving with more serious issues (approved of by the medics). She's seeking a second opinion. I think it's because she's reaching 70 soon. She had to have a medical a few weeks ago. Got back the result last week. Her 70th is in a few weeks time.

The Bishop Basher

Definitely sounds like it's worth getting a second opinion and questioning the decision..

It's such a huge deal to lose your licence but to lose it when you still feel fit and able to drive is really tough. It's such a huge part of our independence.

I hope it works out ok for your mum whatever happens..