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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

381 replies

flawless234 · 07/08/2025 10:33

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!

OP posts:
Scarlettpixie · 07/08/2025 20:34

Ffs. Is anyone this stupid?

Get her insured!

Cakeorchocolate · 07/08/2025 20:52

Essentially you're letting your child drive uninsured and want strangers on the internet to tell you it's OK.

No it's not ok. It's illegal.

Learning to drive is expensive. Being insured isn't an optional cost.

Catcatcat111 · 07/08/2025 21:00

OP hasn’t been back. Got to be a wind up.

XenoBitch · 07/08/2025 21:01

YABVVVVU. Of course you need to let them know. If you don't, then if you have an accident then you will not be insured.

Sparklywino23 · 07/08/2025 21:27

You must add her, not only for the criminal implications if she is caught without insurance but also from a civil perspective.

If your daughter is driving your car with permission and involved in an accident your insurer will have an RTA obligation to pay for the damaged vehicle and any injuries as a result of said accident and because you permitted the use, the insurer will then come to you and your daughter to pay back the full value of the claim which they are entitled to do. Surely the cost of adding her is better than being told to pay back thousands of pounds.

What a way to start your daughters driving off though, with a conviction for driving without insurance AND the points and fine that comes with that never mind how irresponsible it is to other road users. Get her added and dont be silly!

hypnovic · 07/08/2025 21:39

No no at all . She doesn't need to be added at all... as long as you don't mind breaking the law,getting her banned before she even gets a licence or paying out of pocket damages for death or injury its fine. It's also setting an excellent example to your child

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 07/08/2025 21:43

Of course she needs to be insured. If she’s caught without she will be banned before even getting her license

FormidableMizzP · 07/08/2025 21:56

From the messages I've seen on page 1 (of 15!) I think you've got the message. Having a Licence while driving a vehicle which has Tax, MOT and Insurance, is the bare minimum and required by Law.

If you're worried about your premium going up now, what do you think will happen if she has an accident? You'll be lucky to get any insurance in future, never mind sky high premiums.

bakebeans · 07/08/2025 21:59

Is this for real? 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

sgtmajormum · 07/08/2025 22:12

Are you mad? Of course you need insurance! Do not allow her to drive until you have insurance in place. VEYGO it's about £45 a month
Jeez!

JessicaRabbit6 · 07/08/2025 22:20

GCAcademic · 07/08/2025 10:37

I despair.

This comment 🤣

Countessy · 07/08/2025 22:36

You need to inform your insurer about any change that could affect the assessment of risk on which they based your premium.

A young driver taking driving lessons in your car is one such set of circumstances. You acknowledge it might lead to an increase in your premiums, so you appear to understand that it does make an accident more likely.

Oh, and there’s the small business of driving without insurance being a criminal offence….

SALaw · 07/08/2025 22:59

Come on guys, it’s just a bit of practice, just a few times on the public road, what can possibly happen?…Unbelievable

mumoftwo1975 · 07/08/2025 23:03

OP You are being very unreasonable and possible slightly daft.
Buy a bolt on learner policy. In her name, in addiction to your normal fully comprehensive policy which covers you (not her) Ours was about £35 and could be arranged for a few months which saw my son through to his test. It becomes invalid the second they Pass when you need to insure them on the vehicle as a new driver.

Redglitter · 08/08/2025 06:14

15 pages the OP has never returned 🤔

Silverbirchleaf · 08/08/2025 06:20

I agree, troll.

hmmimnotsurewhy · 08/08/2025 06:30

How do you have a child old enough to drive but still be this dumb?

Sage71 · 08/08/2025 09:26

Assume you have a normal family car and it does not have dual controls so if she goes to hit something or someone your chances of preventing are minimal. She will then be caught for driving without insurance and in worst case scenario as you have no insurance you will need to find money elsewhere for damages and if this is significant your home may be at risk

1HappyTraveller · 08/08/2025 10:49

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

1HappyTraveller · 08/08/2025 10:50

Oh give over, you’re not “clueless” you just don’t want to pay for it. It’s absolutely wild that you would consider it okay for ANYONE to be behind the wheel without insurance. Especially one who, by the legal definition, can’t even drive yet!

Stop being so irresponsible and feigning ignorance. Do better. Set your kids some good examples.

Edit: not sure why it posted twice as didn’t appear to post the first time. Also made an additional edit above.

TheNightingalesStarling · 08/08/2025 10:52

Redglitter · 08/08/2025 06:14

15 pages the OP has never returned 🤔

TBF... with the pasting she got, even a genuine poster wouldn't return to 15 pages of being told they are an idiot!

MigGril · 08/08/2025 15:26

So DD has just passed her test. She new someone at college who's parents did this. They got stopped, the child now has serious points on their licence even before sitting their tests. Really at the time I said how dumb as a parent can you be not insuring your child on their car. Well obviously there are more people out there then I thought thinking this is OK.

I mean what if they have an accident can you afford to replace your car and someone else's? As there insurance company I'm sure would be willing to sue you if it was her fault.

MigGril · 08/08/2025 15:30

Oh and OP, someone went into the back of me recently without insurance, they also drove off without stopping (I have a camera though so got the license number). They are now being taken to court for driving without insurance and not stopping at the seen of an accident. I'm so glad the police caught up with them, this is the reason why everyone else's insurance is more expensive to cover idiots who think they can drive without insurance.

Galatine · 08/08/2025 18:36

TheNightingalesStarling · 07/08/2025 10:37

She's not insured to drive your car. So technically Driving without Insurance, which is illegal and can get 6 points on her license

Not technically. It is illegal and easily detected! The best amazing advice is not to risk it!

RunYouJuiceBitch · 09/08/2025 01:45

In your first post, you admit to being 'totally clueless' about this.

I wish you'd at least done a Google search BEFORE you started taking her out on (presumably) public roads.