Insurance for a Modern. NCB question.

[M25VAN]

I may need to insure a relatives car with me as the main driver so that I can drive them around. I only have my Minor insured at the moment, this has been so for many years. I seem to remember when I asked my insurer (FJ) before about this that I was told I would have to build up a NCB bonus from scratch on the modern as my "classic car policy" didn't build up any NCB.
Does anybody have any real world experience of this. It seems unfair that I have been driving my minor many years just as I would have a modern i.e. fully comp., unlimited miles, commuting etc., without building a NCB.
Any info will be much appreciated.

[panky]

I built up maximum no claims but to get the price down on my traveller I went to a classic policy. Doesn't build any NCB but doesn't matter in my case - but I got an agreement that my existing NCB would stand if I ever got another modern.
You would probably be better being added to your relatives policy as a named driver.

[M25VAN]

Thanks Panky. I am already on their policy as the main driver. Maybe this would have counted towards some NCB?

[SteveClem]

Our broker warned us of this years ago when I started driving classics as 'main ' transport. We put me as named driver on my wife's modern policy and preserved my max no claims. If needs must I could go back to a modern without penalty.
I know people are sniffy about brokers but ours have given excellent advice over the years and when I do my annual,well maybe biannual,check they are always competitive with the classic specialists.

[amgrave]

Same problem for me years back. I ran a Escort for 13 years on classic insurance and when I gave it up and got a modern was told I had no NCB. I got round it to a degree by insuring the modern through the same company that provided my Classic Ins and they recognised I had been with them for all that time and gave me 5 years NCB. Get on to FJ and put your case you might get lucky.

[M25VAN]

Our broker warned us of this years ago when I started driving classics as 'main ' transport. We put me as named driver on my wife's modern policy and preserved my max no claims. If needs must I could go back to a modern without penalty.

That's handy to know. I have been a named driver for many years so should help.

Same problem for me years back. I ran a Escort for 13 years on classic insurance and when I gave it up and got a modern was told I had no NCB. I got round it to a degree by insuring the modern through the same company that provided my Classic Ins and they recognised I had been with them for all that time and gave me 5 years NCB. Get on to FJ and put your case you might get lucky.

Will do, just wanted to see what peoples real world experiences were first. Also I don't want to get caught up with having to have a modern insured as well my minor as some insurers stipulate. I may only need to drive the modern for a year or two...

[Gareth]

I ran Phyllis as my everyday car for about five years. I didn't earn a "No Claims Bonus", or "No Claims Discount" but when I bought a modern car for commuting, my insurers (who may well have been Footman James, or possibly just AON at the time) were quite willing to write a letter stating that I had been claim free for 5 years. Direct Line accepted that as 'proof' of NCD easily.

[M25VAN]

Thanks for the help and suggestions guys. I just spoke to FJ and apparently I don't have any NCB, despite being claim free with them (and AON etc.) for many many years. Even if I insure the modern through them I will have to start from scratch. So that's a BIG thumbs down for FJ.
I don't understand this NCB situation at all. I'm even the main named driver on the relatives current modern policy and don't get any NCB from that. What's the difference between NCB and claim free?

[TFM150K]

Shop around and I am sure you will find an answer - have you tried the relative's insurer? The Co-op gave me NCB on a van some years ago on PROOF that I had had a claims-free run for lots of years (I needed commercial cover and at that time the FJ policy would only cover social and domestic) - they were not dear but very slow to respond to problems. Phone everyone you can think of and don't forget your local broker. Good Luck!

[SteveClem]

I think that it's about preserving an existing NCB. I'm pretty sure you can't create one one classic insurance. A good broker will advise and save lots of frustration on the phone.

[M25VAN]

Shop around and I am sure you will find an answer - have you tried the relative's insurer?

Yes and no joy there.
I found a quote in the end on confused.com that was much cheaper than I feared (not having a NCB). My lack of claims seemed to be taken into account which must have offset my lack of no claims bonus.
I also found a quote that was half what my relative is currently paying. If I have learned one thing it is that loyalty doesn't count for as much as I thought.
Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

[amgrave]

Loyalty counts for nothing in the insurance world. I have been with the same insurer for a number of years for my modern and the last few years it has gone up by ridiculous amounts so I go online and find a cheaper quote then tell my insurer and they match it saying as I am a loyal customer they would like to keep me. Work that one out cos I can't.

[bmcecosse]

If you are already named as the main driver on the relative's car - what's the problem with just staying with at arrangement??? Even if the relative never drives it - you are covered.....

[M25VAN]

That arrangement served well but the relative is giving up driving and garaging for the car. It was only used to transport them to me and back with me as the driver. It will come to live with me as I have now found out that the insurance will be much cheaper as well.