Driving other vehicles third party

YC's thread got me thinking....

Not related to bikes, but same principals apply so I'm going to post here and Mods please move if you deem necessary.

My car is insured by me with my wife as a named driver. I have third party entitlement to drive vehicles "not owned by and not leased to the policyholder, blah, blah, blah"

My wife's car is half owned by me through the virtues of marriage, but it is her car, we have paid the finance repayments from a joint account, but if we were to divorce she would take it without argument from me, just as I would take my car. It is currently registered to me, insured by me, with her named as the "main driver". She is on a French license with zero no claims so it WAS cheaper this way, but due to change in my circumstances this is no longer the case.

We intend to re-register the car in her name and insure it her name so she can start earning her own no-claims. It is 6 years old now and worth about £2K so for the first time since new we will only insure it third party.

I once found myself uninsured when she hit my car on the driveway. I could not claim as both policies were in my name and I could not claim against myself and be the first and third party. I was told even if my wife's car was insured in her name, I still could not claim as claiming against your wife was tantamount to claiming against yourself.

So my question is, do I have to be a named driver on my wifes third party policy, or can I just drive her car once a month using the third party entitlement on my insurance?

[Red Herring]

The driving the spouses vehicle on your 3rd party extension is quite a common occurance Ralph, and there is no definitive answer. You need to contact your insurance company and ask them directly if they will cover you under those circumstances.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I once found myself uninsured when she hit my car on the driveway. I could not claim as both policies were in my name and I could not claim against myself and be the first and third party. I was told even if my wife's car was insured in her name, I still could not claim as claiming against your wife was tantamount to claiming against yourself.

Watch out for this one all you married folk. If you follow you partner somewhere, DON'T crash into the back of them as from my experience you are not covered.

It's far too late for my brain to cope with this!

[Stu]

Would having you as a named driver make her insurance dearer or cheaper?

Originally Posted by Stu

Would having you as a named driver make her insurance dearer or cheaper?

More expensive, hence the question. I think Red Herring has already answered it with the most sensible reply (thanks ), but I'd still be interested to other peoples experience/perspective or find out what other married folk do.

Just transfer it to her name, write out a receipt for £1 which you both sign for sale of the vehicle, then you should be covered on your own policy as you clearly don't own or lease the vehicle- maybe get a witness to sign and date the receipt too?

By the way, I've always driven my wife's car (registered and innsured in her name) on my third party entitlement. Never given a thought as to whether it may be technically illegal.

Might be worth checking what the cost differences are. It's actually lessens the cost of my policy to include my wife as a named driver (with her stated as owning and insuring her own car). Fook knows how they work out that this reduces my premium but I'm not complaining, I guess statistically they recognise me a hen pecked wimp and therefore less of a insurance risk

[yorkie_chris]

+1
Did a quote for MYCs CG, for her TPO is £100. With me as named rider it is £80