Hello Mabs
My 79-year-old mum is a retired teacher living in a small rural town. She has been driving for over 50 years and has been insured with the same company for the past 20 years. Unfortunately, this year she was involved in three accidents, two of which were her fault. Thankfully, no one was injured, but she had to claim for repairs to her car and, in two cases, the other vehicles as well.
She has now received a letter stating that, from January, she will no longer be insured as she is considered high-risk. My mum is healthy, and her car is essential for maintaining her independence. This has deeply upset her, as she cannot afford to hire a driver and refuses to use local transport. Can I insure her car in my name and list her as a secondary driver?
Mabs Answers
I’m sorry to hear about your mum’s situation. Losing independence can be difficult. Here’s what you can do:
You can only insure a car registered in your name. If you’d like to go this route, you’ll need to transfer ownership of the car to yourself. To do this, visit a licensing office with the necessary documents, such as the car’s registration papers and proof of ID. Once the transfer is complete, you can take out an insurance policy in your name and list your mum as a secondary driver. Be honest with the insurer about her age, driving history, and the fact she has been let go by her previous insurer. Transparency is crucial to avoid complications when making a claim. Additionally, declare her as a frequent user if she drives the car regularly, as this may impact the premiums. Check with your chosen insurer for specific terms, as policies can vary.
