Toyota Corolla - Insurance-change of circumstances

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Wed 8 Dec 2010 23:37
Toyota Corolla - Insurance-change of circumstances - greenc3

My car skid last week due to the poor weather and hit a 3rd party. I don't live at home but had to go home to do the MOT as my Dad is not in UK at present. I processed the claim but as my dad is the main policy holder, he had to call the insurance company. He went to Hong Kong to visit my sister in June and was intending to come back in September. However, my Mum was not well and so my Dad stayed with her. However, my insurance company said that this is a change of circumstance as he no longer lives in the UK and therefore I am now the main driver. They will process the claim but would need me to pay the extra premium.

Is it legal for them to do this even though the policy is unclear on what is " change of circumstances". Also it is not written any where on what is classed as being away. My Dad still pays the council tax and all the bills in the UK so although he is not here as a person he intends to come back in the near future.

Any help would be grateful.

greenc3

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Thu 9 Dec 2010 06:33
Toyota Corolla - Insurance-change of circumstances - LucyBC
I think he is resident but you are clearly the main driver.

This is similar to a "fronting" case which has all sorts of implications so be careful.

How much is the uplift in premium to make you the insured main driver?
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Thu 9 Dec 2010 09:39
Toyota Corolla - Insurance-change of circumstances - bonzo dog

Hi Green, sorry to hear of you accident but I think you are lucky the ins co have agreed to do what they have. You say it is YOUR car yet your dad is the main policy holder (presumably with you as a named driver or with an open policy saying any driver with your dad's permission?)

So assuming it is YOUR car, as Lucy says this is "fronting" ie you are falsely declaring your dad to be the main driver in order to recieve a reduced premium.

To compound this you don't live at "home". Now obviously we know what you mean but what this also means is you are saying the car normally resides at your dad's address rather than your own which again is a false declaration.

On the other hand if it is your dad's car & you are merely looking after it & using it in his temporary absence, you need to check the wording of the policy re change of circumstances. My wife's policy states she must inform them if she is leaving the country for more than 30 days, so technically I would not have been covered for the same event; although I would expect them to do the decent thing & agree to cover me for a payment of the correct premium.

Good luck & more importantly I hope your mum gets better.

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