Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Car insurance

(16 Posts)
Jodieb Sun 08-Mar-26 16:52:22

Well.... cancelled that insurance. Cost me £25
Cost me £20 for 12 days use
Cost me £47.28 rise in insurance
Company has returned the £25
Am going to try for more return.

It has taught me not to steam into form filling again!

David49 Sun 08-Mar-26 10:46:43

NCBs are tied to drivers and cars try not to swap around or you both get confused which results in higher premium. We have 2 cars both of us are main driver on each car and second driver on the other car. Not always with the same insurance company

Your out going insurance company should send you proof of NCB but you might have to ask. Be careful with details of any
Previous claims or convictions, some companies do check data bases, when you apply.

Cabbie21 Sun 08-Mar-26 09:26:17

Madeleine45 I agree that young people cause many accidents, but not usually through poor eyesight. More likely to be down to inexperience or recklessness.
Maybe everyone needs a retest, all skills not just visual, every ten? years, or 5 years after 75?

I shop around for insurance each year. I hate having documents purely on my phone. If my phone was stolen or smashed I would have lost them. I have a card in my glove box with important numbers including next of kin and insurance.

NotSpaghetti Sun 08-Mar-26 08:29:33

NoodleNut

We used to alternate the policy holder each year for this very reason. Currently two cars at the moment so not such an issue now.

What a great idea that is!
Some of us (ME for example) should have done that!

madeleine45 Sun 08-Mar-26 08:03:19

My husband and I used to alternate just to make sure that we both had NCB, and at one time he had a firms car for business so we had to make sure that this was covered. One thing that also might be of interest, not sure if it still happens. We were away in Scotland in our own car, taking turns sharing the driving. There was a problem and we were given a hire car to use whilst it was sorted out BUT according to them only the main driver on the insurance was valid to drive it. Something we hadnt thought about. Another thing that I am not sure about but think that you have to watch out in case you needed to hire a car as over a certain age dont think that they will loan you one or so I have been told.

I have always been a driver here and abroad and am happy driving wherever, but during my time doing hospital car, met many women who no longer drove or were nervous driving on motorways or long distance. This had usually come about when they had driven quite happily but after getting married and sharing a car, the husband wanted and usually did most of the driving and they were quite happy to let them. But after a heart attack or poor sight or whatever they were then expected to do all the driving after years of doing very little.

I always advise people to drive at leaste once a week and insist on doing a variety of roads etc so that they keep their driving skills up. Much easier doing that and if you need to take over it does not cause you any extra hardships in a difficult situation.
p.s. It really annoys me that they are now going on about older drivers having eye tests. I totally agree that all drivers must check their sight and do so myself regularly but object to the implication that only older drivers cause crashes etc. There are plenty of young and middle age drivers who are no saints on the road either. The campaign should be that ALL drivers have their eyesight checked!

GardenofEngland Fri 06-Mar-26 16:38:39

My husband was the main driver on our Saga insurance. After he died it was passed on to me. I'm no longer with Saga as it became too expensive but I still have my no claims.

Georgesgran Fri 06-Mar-26 16:16:08

Reading Jodieb’s OP - it would seem she’s merely made a mistake on the form and declared herself the main driver, then just ‘musing’ on the what ifs?
Presumably her phone call has changed that declaration and it’s easy to request proof of NCD from the previous policy provider. Moja have just sent mine, without being asked, as I’ve switched to the AA.

jocork Fri 06-Mar-26 16:03:41

I always used to print my certificate to carry with me but now if you are stopped by the police they can check online. I was recently tidying out my handbag and realised I was carrying around documents that were years out of date! If I have an accident I can't give my insurance details unless I open the emailed copies on my phone.

missdeke Fri 06-Mar-26 14:52:51

Juicylucy

Insurance companies can usually get your ncd from online from previous insurer that’s what mine told me. We don’t get paper policies anymore either, unless you ask for them then they charge you for them.

I usually ask for paper copies so that I can keep one in the car. I have never been charged for paper copies, is this a new thing?

NoodleNut Fri 06-Mar-26 14:51:12

We used to alternate the policy holder each year for this very reason. Currently two cars at the moment so not such an issue now.

Juicylucy Fri 06-Mar-26 14:27:46

Insurance companies can usually get your ncd from online from previous insurer that’s what mine told me. We don’t get paper policies anymore either, unless you ask for them then they charge you for them.

NotSpaghetti Fri 06-Mar-26 08:25:31

I had been a second driver for years.
I got 2 years eventually - after several phone calls.

Try calling them back!

Good luck.

cornergran Thu 05-Mar-26 23:32:35

Our broker said many but not all insurers will transfer the NCB if the main driver is deceased assuming a spouse has been a named driver and accident free for sufficient time. Being a cautious soul I asked for a renewal to be with one who would. I do wonder what happens though if the primary driver is medically unfit to drive. No NCB would be a huge financial pressure. That will be a question for our next renewal.

Jodieb Thu 05-Mar-26 17:18:22

Thx Oldfrill. Penny dropped when I actually talked rather than emailed.
Seems unfair though what if a main driver died the additional driver would have a higher insurance (?)

OldFrill Wed 04-Mar-26 14:20:26

When were you last a policyholder/main driver? Generally only the policyholder/main driver accrues NCD. Any NCD usually lapses two years after it was last accrued. If you've recently had a policy in your name that insurance company will confirm your NCD.

Jodieb Wed 04-Mar-26 14:02:28

Has anyone else had a problem changing their car insurance and have you been asked for your Proof of
No Claims Discount (NCD)?
I can't recall ever being asked before.
I made a mistake putting me down as main driver so that changed
Whose NCD they wanted. My BP has shot up with all the emails.
It doesn't help that I never received paper work from the last company, I never realised until now. Aarrr!