AIBU to think we don't need to tell the insurer about daughter learning to drive?

[flawless234]

Hi All,
My daughter has just started learning to drive and we're now doing some practice sessions in our car. She's got her provisional licence and everything, and I'm sitting with her, but we haven't told our car insurance company. I'm thinking, she's not the main driver, it's just a bit of practice with me supervising, so surely we don't need to add her as a named driver?
I've heard some people say you need special learner insurance or to add them to your policy, but it feels a bit OTT for just a few supervised drives. I'm a bit worried about the premium shooting up, to be honest!
Am I being unreasonable to think we can just carry on as we are, or do we really need to contact our insurer? Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice on what to do would be amazing, as I'm totally clueless about all this.
Thanks in advance!

It's 99%/1% now. Outraged. Who's voted YANBU...show yourself 😂

This is one of those threads that makes me wonder how the OP has got as far as they have done in life. OP what exactly do you think insurance is for?

JFC - are you for real?!?! I despair. Insurance was the main topic of conversation when my DS started learning. Do you live under a rock?

Of course you need to bloody add her. Otherwise your insurance won't pay out when she crashes, and you're going to end up liable for the costs of fixing both cars, any medical costs for the other person, along with a possible criminal record for you and your daughter.

I’m shocked you had to ask, frankly. Uberrimae fides is the principle: utmost good faith. You must tell them about anything that might affect their risk.

It's deeply depressing and worrying that people like you are living amongst us. Fucking hell.

It’s one of this threads that makes me wonder how there are so many mumsnetters who don’t realise lots of people in the world don’t play by the rules. The naivety is astonishing

They walk amongst us …….

This has got to be a wind up. How anyone with a car and insurance can not know this is unbelievable. Read your insurance documents!

You absolutely need to add her as a named driver - you are permitting her to driver uninsured it’s class as “uninsured but authorised driver” you are in breach of your policy terms and conditions and it is also an offence liable to penalty points on both you and your daughters licence.

I too find it difficult to believe that anyone can seriously believe this. If you're worried about the effects on your premium you do in fact know why that is don't you OP? Insurers increase premiums for young inexperienced drivers because they represent a higher risk. If it was the inconsequential thing you say it is then there'd be no additional cost would there? If you're worried about the cost now, wait til you see the premiums for newly qualified drivers!
Your options are to add her to your policy, get her learner policy or stop letting her drive your car. If you continue as you are you are both committing criminal offences potentially leading to fines, points on your licences or disqualification, not to mention being personally liable for any damage or injury caused as a result. Don't be an idiot.

I dont think you can insure a car, its the individual that is insured as a named driver or main driver. If something happens while she is driving your car then its her that carries the risk, not the car.

If you’re caught, your daughter will end up with points on her licence before she’s even passed!!

I helped my daughter learn to drive, you absolutely need to insure her!!
There are companies where you can insure just for the time you drive with her.

Your insurance won't cover her because you aren't driving so you do really need to add her to the policy as a learner.

All you're teaching her is that it's OK to drive without insurance. Your responsibility as a mum is to teach your children well.

I've voted yanbu. Totally fine to have teen with no driving licence, drive your car with no insurance. Dont worry.

No need so long as you're happy with having no insurance if she makes a mistake and injures someone or damages something and you need to pay tens of thousands (or more) out of your own pocket.

And if you don't mind she and you having a criminal record and nobody wanting to insure you ever again.

If you're fine with that, go for it.

This. Not to mention the fact that if she causes damage or injury or both while driving your car, the other party/parties’ costs could quite easily bankrupt you

I can’t believe you need to ask!

If someone runs into you whilst she’s behind the wheel… you are not insured, your car is not insured. If police turn up to your non fault collision, (or a routine stop & check) your daughter will be prosecuted for driving uninsured & you will get prosecuted for allowing it.
“If you are charged with an offence of 'permitting use of a motor vehicle without insurance' the penalty is the same as if you yourself were driving the vehicle.”

If she causes an accident through her lack of experience, you have all the costs in addition to legal prosecution. Is she capable of avoiding an accident in the event of a child/animal/cyclist/horse & rider unexpectedly getting in her path?

If you can’t afford to insure the car for her to drive it, don’t let her drive it. Save for professional lessons instead. If you think insurance is expensive without any driving convictions, try getting insurance with a no insurance conviction for both of you!

Im hoping this is made up, or a reverse (could possibly understand a 17yro for thinking this is ok)

Oh I suspect we're all aware of that, the surprise is being expressed at the seeming ignorance of what the rules even are. What's next - 'Do I really have to drive to work on the left hand side of the road? It's only a few miles', 'Can't I just not bother with taxing my car? It's only £20 so the government won't miss it', 'Is it alright if I skip this year's MOT - everything seems OK with my car?'

Yabu. If she's driving safe needs to be added as a named driver to your insurance. In an accident you are uninsured if she is driving.

A trainee driver with her mum in the car lost control, crashed into me and caused a permanent brain and spinal cord injury. OF COURSE you need to add her to your insurance.

Why didn't op ask this before taking her dd out in her car?

And op's user name is "flawless"

This is so obviously rage bait and I'm astonished MNHQ let this kind of shit stand without deleting the thread. OP hasn't even been back.