Named Driver Insurance in Deceased Driver Name

PVincent · 12-06-2013 11:01PM

I will just say that having worked in insurance for over 30 years , my comments are based on that experience in motor insurance.

iverjohnston · 12-06-2013 11:03PM

This thread caught my eye, and I have read with interest : mugmug has a very valid post, were a policy to lapse/be cancelled upon the death of the policy holder , would any insurance be in place were I to suffer a fatal heart attack and crash into someone else, or a line of pedestrians?

MagicMarker · 12-06-2013 11:04PM

Fact of the matter is, a dead person can't call an insurance company and add someone on to their policy.

PVincent · 12-06-2013 11:12PM

If we take your scenario that once the policyholder dies, the contract lapses...lets assume the policy has named drivers like the spouse. The spouse just happens to be away down the country using the car. The husband passes away . So your scenario leaves her driving an uninsured vehicle and liable to be prosecuted for driving without insurance. The insurer has an obligation under the RTA to notify of the lapse as you call it , or ceasing of cover , if it is doing so. If the policy ceases upon the death of the policyholder then the terms and conditions of the policy would state that.

PVincent · 12-06-2013 11:13PM

Magic marker... Read my post. The executor has legal authority to act on behalf of the deceased

Munstermissy · 12-06-2013 11:15PM

corktina wrote: »

how can it when the policyholder is supposed to be the main driver? Any other driver on the policy would by default become the main driver and the policy would be void.

Incorrect Cortina, I was a named driver on my fathers policy. He passed away November 11 and his policy was until June 12. I rang the insurance company to advise them of his passing and whether I had get insurance in my own name. I was covered until his policy ran out in June 12 whereby I then renewed in my own name.

Best advice ring the insurance company.

Senna · 13-06-2013 12:15AM

If a deceased persons car was parked up after their death and then stolen, I'm sure the insurance would still cover its theft until the end of the policy.

ardmacha · 13-06-2013 12:35AM

A policy can continue after a person's death. However, I cannot see why an insurance company would add a named young driver in such a case, or at least without charging and arm and a leg.

P_1 · 13-06-2013 01:05AM

From what I remember from working in insurance when the policy holder dies mid term the policy is allowed to continue till the next renewal but no mid term adjustments (adding drivers, changing vehicles etc) can be made to the policy.

MugMugs · 13-06-2013 08:07AM

mathepac wrote: »

That does not reflect my experiences having acted as executor a couple of time where cars & car insurances were involved. The policies automatically lapsed on the death of the policyholders and refunds were issued to the estates. No named drivers involved in either case.

In OP's case it's not relevant anyway as they are not currently named on the policy.

OP, my condolences on your loss.

It most certainly does not automatically lapse. Industry standard gives authority to the estate but an insurer does not instantly lapse a policy once the insured is deceased.

NobodyImportant · 13-06-2013 11:33AM

I've had firsthand experience of this, when i worked in Insurance.

Generally, we were always sympathetic and allowed named drivers onto the policy following death (And i am sorry for your loss). This is to help the family out during a tough transission period, sorting out the estate and tying up loose ends. You could be in the sticks and have no public transport to rely on and your mother might not drive etc. We allowed family members to go on at no extra cost, up until the renewal date.

HOWEVER. What age are you? Some insurers have their hands tied as to the age of drivers allowed. Ie, the company i was with, couldnt have allowed a driver under 21 on the policy.

Get talking to somebody Human in the insurers (not a "computer says no" moran) and explain your situation and why you need to go the policy.

Hope it all works out for you.

kerryked · 13-06-2013 07:53PM

NobodyImportant wrote: »

I've had firsthand experience of this, when i worked in Insurance.

Generally, we were always sympathetic and allowed named drivers onto the policy following death (And i am sorry for your loss). This is to help the family out during a tough transission period, sorting out the estate and tying up loose ends. You could be in the sticks and have no public transport to rely on and your mother might not drive etc. We allowed family members to go on at no extra cost, up until the renewal date.

HOWEVER. What age are you? Some insurers have their hands tied as to the age of drivers allowed. Ie, the company i was with, couldnt have allowed a driver under 21 on the policy.

Get talking to somebody Human in the insurers (not a "computer says no" moran) and explain your situation and why you need to go the policy.

Hope it all works out for you.

Thanks NobodyImportant, turns out you are somebody important

Got onto the broker today, they rang the insurance company and they said that they don't add any young drivers as named drivers to their policies..

Cheers guys

mgbgt1978 · 13-06-2013 08:22PM

Thanks for the update Kerry.
....and to all those who assumed this was yet another young guy trying to pull a fast one (you know who you are)....they're not all the same at that age :P.

kerryked · 13-06-2013 08:40PM

Sorry if it seemed like a stupid question to those of you with knowledge..maybe Im just a bit clueless or naive or whatever..

Anan1 · 13-06-2013 08:44PM

kerryked wrote: »

Sorry if it seemed like a stupid question to those of you with knowledge..maybe Im just a bit clueless or naive or whatever..

As it turns out, I think I was the clueless one this time. Hope it works out for you.

Named Driver Insurance in Deceased Driver Name

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