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Insurance after passing test

  • 14-12-2020 7:19pm
    #1
    smellyoldboot
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,075 ✭✭✭


    So I bought a car about a week ago now and had only a learners permit at the time so I got the car insured on that basis.

    I passed the test this morning so will have a full licence soon. So what happens now? Do I shop around again/ do I have to stick with current insurance until the year is up? Should I get a discount and if so how would this work, I paid in full for the whole year already.

    Thanks,


Comments

  • #2
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Start by ringing your insurer and tell them. They may refund you a bit, or not (if the policy were not taken out with this in mind).


  • #3
    El Gato De Negocios
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,096 ✭✭✭El Gato De Negocios


    smellyoldboot wrote: »
    So I bought a car about a week ago now and had only a learners permit at the time so I got the car insured on that basis.

    I passed the test this morning so will have a full licence soon. So what happens now? Do I shop around again/ do I have to stick with current insurance until the year is up? Should I get a discount and if so how would this work, I paid in full for the whole year already.

    Thanks,

    They should allow you money back as you have now passed your test. You should bear in mind that if you are within the cooling off period of 14 days so may be able to get a better deal with alternative insurers and cancel the existing policy.


  • #4
    endacl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,347 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    El Gato De Negocios wrote: »
    They should allow you money back as you have now passed your test. You should bear in mind that if you are within the cooling off period of 14 days so may be able to get a better deal with alternative insurers and cancel the existing policy.

    And don’t forget to remind them of this when you phone, OP.


  • #5
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,482 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    But if you can't invoke the cooling off period, do not cancel the current policy because if you cancel a policy in the first year, you will get nowhere near a pro rata refund. They don't all document the refunds for a cancellation but of those that do, it's pretty severe - Aviva will only refund half your premium if you cancel between 2 and 3 months after the start of the policy.


  • #6
    smellyoldboot
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,075 ✭✭✭smellyoldboot


    Thanks all. I only purchased last Saturday to begin cover on Monday the 7th so still within the 14 days no matter which day is the right one. Already been quoted €500 cheaper elsewhere online and will get a few more later and go into the call "armed".


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  • #7
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,482 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    smellyoldboot wrote: »
    Thanks all. I only purchased last Saturday to begin cover on Monday the 7th so still within the 14 days no matter which day is the right one. Already been quoted €500 cheaper elsewhere online and will get a few more later and go into the call "armed".

    If you want to cancel the policy, note that this only take effect when your current insurer gets the cert and disc back. Keep that in mind in the context of delays in the postal system and closures over Christmas.


  • #8
    The J Stands for Jay
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,799 ✭✭✭The J Stands for Jay


    I've heard of cases for younger drivers where their insurance goes up when the lads their test. Since you've already got a lower quote elsewhere, cooling off seems to be the way to go.


  • #9
    smellyoldboot
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,075 ✭✭✭smellyoldboot


    So my current/soon to be former insurer (AA) has no interest in competing and offered an €11 refund. Fairly pathetic tbh. Itsforwomen.ie came in a full €600 cheaper so I guess I'm a woman for 2021.

    Theres a weird period in between however where I will have paid for one (new) insurance and be covered but not have the disc, yet have the disc for insurance I have cancelled.

    When the cover is in place, is it still OK to drive if the disk is in the post?


  • #10
    El Gato De Negocios
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,096 ✭✭✭El Gato De Negocios


    smellyoldboot wrote: »
    So my current/soon to be former insurer (AA) has no interest in competing and offered an €11 refund. Fairly pathetic tbh. Itsforwomen.ie came in a full €600 cheaper so I guess I'm a woman for 2021.

    Theres a weird period in between however where I will have paid for one (new) insurance and be covered but not have the disc, yet have the disc for insurance I have cancelled.

    When the cover is in place, is it still OK to drive if the disk is in the post?

    Once you have paid for the insurance with the new provider and have proof of purchase then you are good to drive.


  • #11
    El Gato De Negocios
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,096 ✭✭✭El Gato De Negocios


    McGaggs wrote: »
    I've heard of cases for younger drivers where their insurance goes up when the lads their test. Since you've already got a lower quote elsewhere, cooling off seems to be the way to go.

    Insurers charged more for drivers after passing their test than they were charging having a learner permit?

    I don't believe you tbh.

    Insurers may have some dodgy practices in place but that's just preposterous.


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  • #12
    smellyoldboot
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,075 ✭✭✭smellyoldboot


    El Gato De Negocios wrote: »
    Insurers charged more for drivers after passing their test than they were charging having a learner permit?

    I don't believe you tbh.

    Insurers may have some dodgy practices in place but that's just preposterous.
    It's scummy but I could see some logic to it. There was a kind of moment of reflection after passing, thinking "I've full responsibility now, etc" whereas an hour beforehand I was considered not fit to be on the road. I am more or less the same standard and experience level of driver before and after that test.


  • #13
    El Gato De Negocios
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,096 ✭✭✭El Gato De Negocios


    smellyoldboot wrote: »
    It's scummy but I could see some logic to it. There was a kind of moment of reflection after passing, thinking "I've full responsibility now, etc" whereas an hour beforehand I was considered not fit to be on the road. I am more or less the same standard and experience level of driver before and after that test.

    There is zero logic to it. I could kind of understand an insurer not offering much of a refund (like AA in your case) as you point out, there is little to no difference in driving experience from one week to another but there is no way an insurer that has a learner driver on cover will charge them an additional premium when they pass their test, no way.


  • #14
    smellyoldboot
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,075 ✭✭✭smellyoldboot


    So as it turns out out I'm stuck with my current insurer because: its4women wanted a "letter of cover" from current insurance before proceeding. Current insurer would only provide this by snail mail AFTER having received by snail mail the insurance certificate and disk. Leaving me without any insurance or use of my car in the intervening period. Scummy industry in a stupid fcukin country.


  • #15
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,482 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    smellyoldboot wrote: »
    So as it turns out out I'm stuck with my current insurer because: its4women wanted a "letter of cover" from current insurance before proceeding.

    That might be no harm. its4women has a terrible reputation, based on many posts in this forum. Apparently they're a total disaster if you want to make even the slightest change to the policy.


  • #16
    macplaxton
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 2,957 Mod ✭✭✭✭macplaxton


    El Gato De Negocios wrote: »
    Insurers charged more for drivers after passing their test than they were charging having a learner permit?

    I don't believe you tbh.

    Insurers may have some dodgy practices in place but that's just preposterous.

    It's common enough over the water and those same insurers will spin anything to suggest increased risk and make a buck.

    "Nobody sitting on the driver's shoulder to keep an eye on them and out at all hours of the day and night"


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