Driving my car if 'Psych says not insured' ?

[medianewbie]

ExH lives 8m away. We're rural. 2 disabled kids so (try to!) co-operate re transport. He's still on my insurance policy so he can use my small car when needed re kids (ages 18 & 15)
Now, ExH suffers from Depression. Currently signed off (last 6+wks) & on 200mcg Sertraline. Not his fault obvs.

He's arranged to use the car tonight (inc giving a lift to15 y/it's friend). Only he's just said that his Psychiatrist says he isn't insured to drive atm due to 'concentration issues'. So, I've said NO.

Apparently I'm 'being unreasonable'.
Apart from not having kids in car, I don't want him using it alone. Surely that's correct in the circumstances?? (obvs I
only have his word on Psych comment)

Thanks, this is helpful.
I've texted him to ask bluntly (we had an argument yesterday about it) & he says 'it's because his concentration is poor' so it sounds as though he definitely wouldn't be covered legally temporarily even though he's not 'lost his licence'.

What I'm not clear about is whether I'd be legally exposed if he had an accident in his own car (I'd hope he's not daft enough to drive it anyway, but..) if he is still named on MY policy (sorry if being dense, its been a long day already today)

I used to be a mental health nurse, obviously the Psychiatrist can't cancel your ex ,s insurance ,but i have known some write to rhe DVLA to inform them they don't feel a particular patient is fit to drive ,because of they have had a breakdown in their mental health.for a period of time

Does your policy cover his car?

If so, then yes you would have an issue.

If not, then you won't have an issue - as he he would be driving on his own insurance. If he doesn't have his own insurance you need to cancel him on your policy immediately. And notify him in writing you have done so.

Why is he on your policy?

Technically I think if you drove against the advice of your doctor your insurance can be void but I’ve never heard of this occurring for depression with ssri’s before as this is extremely common scenario/medication. I think he need clarification from his doctor.

@Jalepenojello It's common - I suspect there's more to the story, but it does commonly happen. Anyone under the Crisis Team for instance should not be allowed to drive (it's a bit hit and miss which Crisis Teams tell you and which don't though)...

Check your insurance, it may say you have to inform them if a named driver is told they musn’t drive for health reasons. But generally, if your insurance only covers him in your car and you aren’t letting him drive that, you wont be liable as there is nothing you can control.

SSRIs being common is irrelevant, they aren’t the problem. Severe depression is a known cause of concentration and memory problems that can make someone unfit to drive. If the drugs aren’t working to alleviate the depression enough, then the concentration problems can still be too severe for driving to be safe.

It’s one of the more common mental health issues that impact people’s ability to drive and is specifically covered on MIND’s website section on the right to drive with mental health issues:
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/fitness-to-drive/my-right-to-drive/

OP’s ex may or may not need clarification, he doesn’t have to give OP all the details his doctor gives him, he can be vague if he wants a bit of privacy around it or if he’s finding it hard to accept. OP still needs to make the best decisions she can with the information she has.

If his psychiatrist has told him he cannot drive, his insurance would be invalidated if he did and had an accident. As they prescribed medicine, they will be a psychiatrist not psychologist.

If there's an accident, his insurance won't be valid and won't pay out. Its not worth it.