Spitting feathers

I can never understand how premiums can vary so wildly when I look for new quotes each year. They range from around £200 per annum to £4,000!!! That seems ridiculous, given that the information provided is the same to each company.

I noticed when I added my husband, as he sometimes drives my car, onto my insurance that it went down and likewise his insurance went down when he added me.

BUT what happens if your second driver has an accident, in their own car, which you then need to declare? No problem with us, but if my second driver is a newer, younger driver, so statistically more likely to have an accident, would the cost all even out?

I was told the same thing. It seems because you are deemed to drive the car all the time, you re more likely to have an accident.

I insure my car as only driver and use A plan as they have been the cheapest for the last 3 years. My OH uses them as well now as his premiums went up when he retired this year, madness

I've only ever had myself only driving! In fact, at the moment, I've got two cars insured with me only driving. I manage to get a reasonable premium by shopping around although I don't know what effect being the only driver has!

Young drivers can save quite a bit by adding an experienced driver, also by allowing their driving to be monitored. People who are employed can sometimes reduce their premiums just by describing their job in a different way. Martin Lewis has some very useful tips on his Money Tips website.

My friend works in motor insurance. She is single. Adds her sister who lives 350 miles away to her policy to reduce her premiums. It’s crazy. She says it’s the norm. Similar age and experience seems to be the best addition.

Hi Tanith,

it was not a big mistake to take your deceased husband off your insurance as to keep his name on a renewal knowing he is deceased would invalidate your insurance.
and put you in trouble with the Law!

tanith I share your pain. Had to take H off for medical reasons. Premium went up and they wanted to charge an admin fee. After much discussion they waived the admin fee. Crazy!

My daughter and I have always had each other on our policies (with the same insurer). I turned 76 this year and she discovered when renewing that her policy had gone up by £70. She took me off to see what happened and the £70 was removed. Meanwhile my policy came up for renewal and it has gone down which makes that £70 seem quite arbitrary and presumably ageist. I haven’t ever made a claim. It’s a real nuisance because my car on the drive often gets blocked in by white vans, especially at weekends, and I can no longer just use the other car.

When my husband left I phoned to get him off my policy and the call handler advised me not to as it would cost me more so he’s still on it nearly a decade later. I imagine having my daughter on the policy keeps it low too.

I had no points on my licence my hubby had 3, my premium was nearly £100 cheaper with him on as a named driver. Ridiculous.

Mine went up when I discovered and wanted husband taking off of policy. The woman just leave him on. I decided against this.

If there is only one driver the risk is all with you and that is what insurance is about the risk factor.
If you do a quote online you get an internet discount.
If you retire or are unemployed theoretically you have more time to be out and about driving.

Insurance is a nightmare !! I was horrified to find out my premium went up once I retired !! I, foolishly, expected it to go down as I was driving less - silly me !!

Tanith it’s worth phoning the company and telling them about their online quote. I did that with Saga and they matched it. Of course you may be too cross with them to remain. ?

I know years ago when tried to take my husband off my policy as he didn't drive my car, it also meant that the premiums would go up. Needless to say I left it alone.

dare we follow the link?

Sorry I forgot that would post a link seriously I didn’t mean to.

Thanks everyone I did go to compare the market and put all my details in and guess what the top recommendation was the same company and it was only a few quid cheaper than my quote so now I’m a bit confused.com ???

I really don't understand insurance, either, but as my sister's husband has recently passed away, I think she will come up against this problem. I will pass on your comments re adding a second driver to the policy. Thank you, and I hope you find a cheaper option Tanith.

When I had my scooter (2 wheeled one not mobility)

my insurance was £40 higher because I had to put I was a widow, out of curiosity I tried it and left it as I was Married and it went back down!

Also was higher when I didnt have a job.

I really dont understand the way insurances work(apart from them trying to wriggle out of everything) and thats goes for house insurance/car insurance in fact anything.

My late dad found that adding me or my brother to his policy as second drivers reduced the premium, even though we both lived well over a hundred miles away from him. Crazy!

When I changed our car insurance (because DH had been forced to return his licence) to make me the sole rather than 2nd named driver, the premium went DOWN by £65. I asked why and was told it was because I am 7 years younger than DH, putting me in a different age bracket.

Maybe the assumption is that a couple who share a car will take turns and not let one driver get too tired on longer journeys?? I can't think what else it could be??

DHs insurance was CHEAPER with me on it too. So I was insured on a second car that I never drove (I drove my own car) to save money.

I don't understand the logic, but it was the case for us too!