71yo neighbor wants to know if she should tell her ins.co. about a man that drives them around periodically.?

Question

He drives them in her car. He has insurance that would cover. Her new policy pack asks her about "other" drivers. Would that raise her rate? Would there be a problem if she didn't tell them and there was an accident? Also, Husband is 83 and doesn't drive anymore, I told her that she should ask about taking him off policy (maybe reduce rate) since he can't drive. She say's that he has an excellent driving history. Any takers? Thanks.

Answer 1

It is a good idea to tell the insurance company about him if he drives regularly, even if he has his own insurance.  They may just make note of his policy number and company for their records.  He would be covered if she reports it or not if they get into an accident, however, after that, they may want to add him.

As for her husband, most insurance companies will only take a driver off the policy if they officially surrender their license to the DMV or is no longer in the household.  If he truly will not be driving anymore, that shouldn't be an issue.  Each company is different in their rating, so it may or may not make a difference in the rate.  She can ask for a quote to take him off of the policy & that can help her make a decision to take him off or not.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 2

The man that drives them around would be covered by her policy and not have to be on it unless he does so all the time. If it is on an occasional basis, then he is covered as an occasional driver. It will not raise her rates. Also, she can have her husband listed as a non-driver if he can no longer drive and has surrendered his license. It should reduce the rate to do so.

Answer 3

What is periodically?  Once a month, once a week?  If it's once in awhile as long as he has permissive use, he's covered by her insurance carrier.

If her husband listed on her policy, depending upon his previous driving record and he's definitely not driving, she should remove him.

Answer 4

First she needs to read her policy.  Mine allows me to let someone borrow my car without any raise in policy and I don't have to list them as "other" drivers as long as the insurance card and registration can be shown if something happens and they have a valid drivers license and their own auto insurance.  I will be contacted though to make sure I allowed that person to drive my vehicle.

Second the husband doesn't need to be taken off the policy if he can still drive even though he doesn't right now.  If he has been advised by a doctor not to drive he should be taken off.  Otherwise she should just have her insurance company change her to the primary driver instead of her husband if they can or will do so.  Usually the only time the insurance rate changes is with accidents, traffic violations, adding an under 21 yo driver to the policy.  If her husband has an excellent driving history she may only drop a few $$ a year.   The prices reflect the amount and type of coverage; the make, model and year of the vehicle and if it's a new or used vehicle.

If there are any questions maybe she should ask her insurance company these same questions as they will be able to answer them more completely because every insurance company has different policies and slightly different rules to the poliy.  Then she can decide if she needs to make adjustments to her policy or not!

Answer 5

If he doesn't take the car home, if he isn't the primary driver, and doesn't drive more than occasionally, her company doesn't need to know.  

If the husband is never going to drive again, she should ask what it does to the premium if he is removed from the policy.  But do you know for sure he can't drive, or really won't drive again?

I had a client that drove, and drove well, until he got sick at 94.  He drove up until 2 months before his death, no tickets, no accidents on his record.  My father-in-law is 81, and still drives safely.  My Dad drove until he was 83, then decided on his own to give up his licence and the car.

I had a lady down the way that never drove, but kept a car licence and insured, so others would drive her shopping, etc, usually her daughter.  Since the car lived with the old lady, not the daughter, they didn't list the daughter, and didn't have to.