Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » I had to make a claim as a named driver on my wife's policy - do I have to inform my insurer of this when I renew my policy?
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

I had to make a claim as a named driver on my wife's policy - do I have to inform my insurer of this when I renew my policy?

During the recent storms, I was driving my wife's car as a named driver and as I was parking, the wind tore the door out of my hand and a car parking next to me damaged our door. Being in control of the car I had to accept blame. The insurers told me that as the car is insured in my wife's name her no claims bonus will be reduced from five years to three. I assume we will also have to pay an increased premium on renewal of her policy. I have my own car whereby my wife is a named driver on my policy. How will we stand on renewing my policy, do we have to declare the accident there too and get punished twice?

Asked on 8 April 2019 by Barrie Lindsey

Answered by Honest John
Good question. The answer, unfortunately, is yes from an insurers view. They will ask if any person on the policy has made a claim. As this was not an accident under the road traffic act, I would be arguing that you have not made a claim, but that a claim was made on your wife's policy. Do not use the word "accident" use the word "incident. It could be argued it was an "act of God", as you have not been negligent in your actions.

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance
Similar questions
I’m no longer able to drive after a stroke. Can I insure my car for two named drivers one of which has a car wile the other is named on two other vehicles? My car will only be used occasionally.
I am the owner and registered keeper of a Peugeot 107 that I have not used for over a year as I now have a new car. The Peugeot is in the garage, untaxed, uninsured, has no valid MoT and is SORN by the...
I own two vintage cars, due to advancing age I plan to transfer ownership to my 36 year old son.The cars will be kept on my premises and insured by me as main driver so that I can drive and son as named...