I
have always been a named driver on my partner’s car insurance policy, will I
still be eligible for No Claims Bonus?
As
competition in the female car insurance market hots up, more and more companies
are willing to take claim-free years as a named driver into account. Again, shop
around and ask about introductory offers, car insurance companies are keen to
win new customers, especially if they are low risk drivers.
Can
I put my male partner/son down on my policy as a named driver?
Normally,
this isn’t a problem. But some car insurance policies for female drivers
specify that they cover only women drivers. Always ask this question before
committing yourself to a particular female car insurance policy.
Is
it fair that men should be penalised just for being men when it comes to car
insurance?
No.
Just as it would be wrong to adjust car insurance premiums on the basis of
creed, colour or religion, so too is discrimination on the grounds of gender.
Whether it is appropriate to continue using gender as a yardstick when analysing car insurance claims remains to be seen.
After
a ruling in the
European Court
, car insurance companies can, for now, offer discounted car insurance for
female drivers. However, this may be subject to change in future.
I
have just passed my driving test, how can I reduce my car insurance costs?
An
increasingly popular route is to continue your driving education by sitting –
and passing – the new Pass Plus driving certificate. Pass Plus is a series of
extra driving lessons covering motorway and night driving. In most
circumstances, a car insurer will consider a discount for a successful Pass Plus
driver.
Is
it worthwhile passing the
Institute
of
Advanced Motoring
(IAM) certificate to cut my car insurance premium?
Yes,
but the size of the reduction depends on your age too. The biggest impact on car
insurance costs will be witnessed by younger, inexperienced drivers.
I’m
going to buy my first car, will it be cheaper to take out a car insurance policy
in my mother/father’s name?
Probably,
but it will be better in the long run to do so in your own name and build up No
Claim Bonus. More importantly, car insurance companies frown on ‘fronting’
and taking out a policy in a parent’s name could be in breach of their terms
and conditions. This would render your car insurance invalid.
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