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Original poster

Driving without business use insurance

198 replies

newcat12345 · 04/06/2019 16:55

Husband who rarely uses my car was stopped driving home from a meeting today. I only have social, domestic and commuting insurance as don't need it for work purposes and this was a total oversight.

Even though I rectified the situation straight away with the insurer, DH has been slapped with 6 points and a £300 fine Angry. To my mind a ticking off would've sufficed but that's neither here nor there.

My real concern is that I now have to go back to the insurer to tell them about the points. Is there a risk they will revoke the policy or are they likely to view it as an oversight? Petrified

OP posts:
ErichVonStalheim · 05/06/2019 09:37

Well, the guy got done for not being insured because he didn't have the correct cover, so..

In this specific case yes, but to make a blanket statement that you can't drive a car for business purposes on third party insurance is incorrect.

As I posted above, companies self insuring and relying on the minimum required third party insurance is common...

www.fleetnews.co.uk/fleet-management/fleet-insurance/insurance-balancing-the-risk

Freudianslip1 · 05/06/2019 09:43

This sounds very far fetched...Surely the police have better things to do with their time than to pull over random people and to check that they have the correct insurance per usage? A check of the number plate would tell them if the vehicle is insured or not, why would they start cross examining drivers about where they are going for no reason?

LaminateAnecdotes · 05/06/2019 10:01

I am genuinely shocked by the lack of understanding on how car insurance works on this thread.

Not really sure why. It's not taught at school. It's not part of the driving test. There's no approved course you need to complete before buying and insuring a car. So only swotty types that look into things are going to read up on it and make sure they're aware of what the situation is. That'll be about 1 in 5 ?

purpleme12 · 05/06/2019 10:13

It's true I can understand why a lot of people won't know this information

eurochick · 05/06/2019 10:16

I'd also recommend checking the wording of the policy on his own car carefully. He might be covered by that.

LaminateAnecdotes · 05/06/2019 10:30

A check of the number plate would tell them if the vehicle is insured or not, why would they start cross examining drivers about where they are going for no reason?

Because if the person driving isn't covered, then neither is the car.

As I said upthread, the system is broken.

TwattingDog · 05/06/2019 10:37

Just a word of caution to the people being smug about having business insurance on their cars - I am covered for it but my DH (named driver) is not. I haven't found a company that will put a named driver down for business, only SDPC.

Reallybadidea · 05/06/2019 10:49

I've just added my DH as a named driver and they confirmed that he was covered for business use.

ErichVonStalheim · 05/06/2019 11:11

The system used in some states in Australia whereby basic third party insurance is included with the annual road tax would solve a lot of problems. As long as the car is taxed, anybody driving is insured.

LaminateAnecdotes · 05/06/2019 11:27

The system used in some states in Australia whereby basic third party insurance is included with the annual road tax would solve a lot of problems. As long as the car is taxed, anybody driving is insured.

Yes, but that's Australia. This is the UK, where nothing can be simple, or easy or cheap if it can be made more complicated, harder and more expensive. Especially (but not solely) where cars are concerned. Trying to get your driving record for a hire car will demonstrate that.

MrsMiggins37 · 05/06/2019 11:55

I haven't found a company that will put a named driver down for business, only SDPC

Direct Line. The certificate of motor insurance clearly says it’s for social, domestic, pleasure, commuting and business for the policy holder (husband) and spouse (me).

DragonflyInn · 05/06/2019 12:02

I haven't found a company that will put a named driver down for business, only SDPC

Admiral (admittedly a couple of years ago but I’d be surprised if they’ve stopped) and Direct Line both do.

Reallybadidea · 05/06/2019 12:03

You can add Hastings direct to the list of insurers covering named drivers for business use.

Manclife1 · 05/06/2019 12:08

OP is your husband insured to drive for business purposes in his own car? If so he may well be covered to drive yours too. Not always but worth a try.

purpleme12 · 05/06/2019 12:08

There's quite a few who cover a named driver for business use

daisypond · 05/06/2019 12:19

If the DH is denied insurance, that will have to be declared to any future insurer. It’s not as simple as saying go elsewhere. And now there is a conviction to be declared as well.

ivykaty44 · 05/06/2019 12:40

It cost me £0 the first time I added business use to my policy. Now I add it as standard due to being freelance and it makes no difference to the policy price.

£50 I was quoted and so tried another insurance company which was £0 for business use but £60 more expensive..

So I use two wheel or train or bus or walk as these can all be claimed back - except walking

RedRiverShore · 05/06/2019 13:13

Maybe he was stopped because he had equipment visible in the car and looked like he was working, way he was dressed, time of day etc and it’s an easy £300 fine isn’t it if business use is not on insurance, whereas if 60+ year old me in small Fiesta driving from meeting, no equipment probably wouldn’t be stopped as more likely out shopping or visiting. Not really right but people are stopped for how they look.

EdtheBear · 05/06/2019 13:48

Hi don't believe it was how he looked that made the police stop him. Police are more likely to assume he had business insurance than not.
I think he's done something, cut them up, going too fast or something and the lack of insurance is easier to prove than driving irratically or without due care and attention.

ContinuityError · 05/06/2019 14:01

I haven't found a company that will put a named driver down for business, only SDPC.

LV covers named drivers for business use.

LaminateAnecdotes · 05/06/2019 14:08

Rather than guessing why the police stopped him, just look at the form he will have been given. It should detail the reason for the stop.

ContinuityError · 05/06/2019 14:16

OP is your husband insured to drive for business purposes in his own car? If so he may well be covered to drive yours too. Not always but worth a try.

I'm covered third party on other vehicles but only if I'm not covered by any other insurance on those vehicles.

stupidboyman · 05/06/2019 14:28

Yes but he wasn't insured apparently so therefore his own insurance may cover him on a third party basis which may be enough to avoid the points.

OKBobble · 05/06/2019 14:33

Twatting driver - Churchill yet another one which will insure spouse for business on the other spouse's insurance.

OKBobble · 05/06/2019 14:34

Stupidboyman - if a person is already covered on a main policy to drive that vehicle then they cannot rely on the TP cover to drive a car they borrow/use

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