Car Insurance Policy under Someone Else's Name When The Car Is Registered under a Business

amoo-handy on 05/01/2024 - 14:08
Last edited 05/01/2024 - 14:17 by 1 other user

Hi All

I have a ute used for both business and private, the car is registered under a company and I am the director

Wanted to know if I can take out an insurance policy under someone else's name who drives the car most of the time and list myself as a the occasional driver.

I have been checking budget direct and Coles and the questions they ask you before they provide the quote is

1- Is the car for private or business use
2- Name of the person that drives the car

I feel like it should be ok but just wanted to make sure,
If there is anyone that works at an insurance company that could help it would be appreciated

xx

• 

  Baysew on 05/01/2024 - 14:16

  +6

  If there is anyone that works at an insurance company that could help it would be appreciated

  Yes the people who work at an insurance company would be able to help. Just contact them.

  • 

    Ocker on 05/01/2024 - 14:34

    -2

    Nah, it's easier to put a post on OZB and expect others to do the leg work for you.

  • 

    ihfree on 05/01/2024 - 14:39

    -1

    … and don't forget to report the findings back here

  • 

    amoo-handy on 08/01/2024 - 07:03

    I didnt think of that..

    I already spoke to coles insurance they said they dont cover anyone else other than the vehicle owner.. but in their online form you can put anyone elses name as get a quote

    Also spoke to budget direct after a 25 min convo trying to avoid answering my Qs the guy said yes the policy holder will be covered in an accident (if hes not the car owener)

    • 

      Euphemistic on 08/01/2024 - 08:40

      +1

      Both those insurers are more strict on who can drive the car. They are budget for a reason - the exclusions. Budget direct may require listing ALL drivers.

• 

  djsweet on 05/01/2024 - 15:30

  +1

  Don't see why not. Assuming the primary driver is using it for business reasons. Otherwise you might be admitting to some tax fraudy type thing

• 

  dtc on 05/01/2024 - 16:34

  The insurance 'attaches to the car' not the person. So you insure the car and everyone who drives it is also insured, subject to any limitations in the policy. Some policies cover everyone who drives it, some cover only nominated drivers or drivers over 25 or whatever. Most of the time there is a requirement to nominate the primary driver, which is really a way for insurers try to cover off someone taking out a policy for their 19yr old son or their DUI mother; but so long as you genuinely nominate the primary driver you are fine with that (the primary driver does not need to be the policy holder or the owner)

  The insurance doesnt need to be in the name of the owner. Again, the insurance is with the car, if the car is damaged then the car gets fixed; or if its a write off then the policy holder gets the money (and has to sort out their relationship with the actual owner)

  In your situation I'm not sure why you would want to take out the policy in somone else's name - it wont make any difference (unless you are trying to skirt around disclosure requirements due to your poor driving record or something, which wont help if you are listed as a regular driver in any case).

• 

  Gunnar on 05/01/2024 - 16:35

  +1

  So what’s the follow up thread:
  - Help! done for tax avoidance/evasion
  - Help! insurance won’t pay out

  • 

    randomusername2017 on 05/01/2024 - 16:38

    -1

    Quotes were too high.
    Self insured.
    How to assign liability to third party and make them pay.

• 

  Aust on 05/01/2024 - 17:00

  I work in the industry.
  Dont know why dtc was negged as their on the money with the response.
  My only issue would be if you insure it in someone elses name, they will be paid if vehicle is a total loss / excess refund.
  If its your vehicle probably need to note yourself as an interested party, and this is likely to trigger a referral to the insurer.

  Simpler response would be to leave it as it is and note the additional driver under your business policy. Note if its a staff member you dont even need to do this (subject to the policy requirements and driving history, eg accidents / convictions)

  • 

    Brick50 on 05/01/2024 - 21:09

    Hey, I have a similar situation hoping for you to chime in.

    My MIL has given my partner her old car to use as a run about (Partner works in disability support), We both already have 2 cars insured in both our names
    The old car will remain registered to MIL so we don't have to get a roadworthy and pay stamp duty etc.

    I have insured the car in my partners name, with me as an additional driver but haven't listed MIL (registered owner). MIL will never drive the car again, she has had a few claims in the last 5 years so best to leave her name off the policy all together

    If we had a claim would we be ok?

    • 

      dtc on 06/01/2024 - 10:31

      +1

      You will be fine. If the car is a write off then your partner will get the money and can cage fight with the MIL about who keeps the cash. And if the car is damaged then your partner has the final say (on repairs etc) and the MIL just has to accept that decision. Of course in reality neither of those are likely to cause a problem.

      If you crash into someone else then it doesn’t matter who is driving, the insurance responds because it covers all damage caused by the car (subject to any express limitation in the policy eg that only specifically nominated drivers are covered (only some of the cheaper policies have this limit) or if driven by an undisclosed person under 25 etc).

• 

  AndyC1 on 05/01/2024 - 20:01

  +1

  Call the insurance company or your insurance broker and ask them as you do NOT want to end up with insurance that does not cover you. Make sure you get the response in an email otherwise assume it is WRONG as you will not have anything to challenge if the insurer says the PDS says X and you say the service person said Y.

  Insurance companies can and do change their attitude when you bring up that you can put it in the hands of your existing lawyer. They sometimes make an exception, but it is rare.