Auto Insurance Question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Jets4Life · 09-06-2012, 11:29 PM

My girlfriend and I have insurance for our car. Unfortunately, it was under both our names, and my girlfriend was in two accidents three months apart. Now we are paying big monthly payments. She was having trouble driving, and now does no drive, as I use the vehicle to drive to work.

My question is, if I transferred the insurance to my name only, would the payments decrease, since I have a relatively clean driving record?

Rathji · 09-06-2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

My girlfriend and I have insurance for our car. Unfortunately, it was under both our names, and my girlfriend was in two accidents three months apart. Now we are paying big monthly payments. She was having trouble driving, and now does no drive, as I use the vehicle to drive to work.

My question is, if I transferred the insurance to my name only, would the payments decrease, since I have a relatively clean driving record?

They should, unless the car is registered in both your names, then I think you both need to be insured on it.

Jets4Life · 09-07-2012, 12:02 AM

The car was registered under her name, although the insurance was under bot our names. Since I pretty much do all the driving, I wanted to transfer the car to my name, especially if it saves me money.

Jets4Life · 09-07-2012, 07:09 AM

anyone?

Slava · 09-07-2012, 07:28 AM

I think that you have to insure it for every driver in the house, but I'm not sure of that.

Hockeyguy15 · 09-07-2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

I think that you have to insure it for every driver in the house, but I'm not sure of that.

I don't know, my fiancee and I have 2 cars and she is not insured under mine. I believe I am a secondary driver on hers.

MoneyGuy · 09-07-2012, 08:44 AM

I'll try to get you an answer today.

macker · 09-07-2012, 09:30 AM

If she is in your household she has access to the keys and insurance companies rate based on the highest risk driver in the household. If you can prove that she has her own insurance and is being rated elsewhere that is one option to have her excluded. The other would be to have SEF8a and SEF28 endorsements signed that would state that if she drives there is basically no coverage. In the past some companies have allowed for this but it would have to be negotiated. To avoid having a claim denied make sure that you document everything as this sounds like a potential issue going forward.

undercoverbrother · 09-07-2012, 09:57 AM

If she is the registered owner, then she owns the vehicle in the eyes of the law. I might be wrong I think you need a financial interest in the vehicle to insurer it.

St. Pats · 09-07-2012, 11:14 AM

Time for a new policy/girlfriend? Might be time to choose the latter option and save some cash.

jydk · 09-07-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

My girlfriend and I have insurance for our car. Unfortunately, it was under both our names, and my girlfriend was in two accidents three months apart. Now we are paying big monthly payments. She was having trouble driving, and now does no drive, as I use the vehicle to drive to work.

My question is, if I transferred the insurance to my name only, would the payments decrease, since I have a relatively clean driving record?

The accident will follow you in the discribed case (regardless if you sign the SEF 28/8A, which you in no way want to do). You were the owner of the insurance contract and 2 at-fault claims were paid out, which makes you responsible. Your best option is to request your broker list you as the principal operator. You'll still be rated for the claims but your liability premium may decrease as your grid rate should be better than your GF's. If at some point your GF gets her own vehicle, I'd recommened insuring with the same provider, that way the accident will be rated just on her vehicle and not yours. That, or you'll have to provide a letter from her carrier each renewal stating she is being rated for those 2 claims. If you have any questions feel free to PM me, I am an insurance broker.

Titan · 09-07-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jydk

I am an insurance broker.

Who apparently starts fights when drunk. funny

Slava · 09-07-2012, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan

Who apparently starts fights when drunk. funny

He's a good guy. That custom title is a joke that stems from ball a few years ago.

Hans Landa · 09-07-2012, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

I think that you have to insure it for every driver in the house, but I'm not sure of that.

True, but I believe most insurance companies can supply a waiver for you to sign to explicitly state that specific individuals will never operate the insured vehicle.

I have this with my wife (she has a nasty record). They sent me a waiver to sign and as long as we could prove that she has her own car and insurance on it, her existence under the same roof has no effect on my premiums.

jydk · 09-08-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans Landa

True, but I believe most insurance companies can supply a waiver for you to sign to explicitly state that specific individuals will never operate the insured vehicle.

I have this with my wife (she has a nasty record). They sent me a waiver to sign and as long as we could prove that she has her own car and insurance on it, her existence under the same roof has no effect on my premiums.

Yes, they do: SEF 28/8A. One expresses if the excluded driver is involved in a claim the insurer will only pay out up to the provincial minimum under liability ($200,000). The second states whatever is paid out on that claim the insurer has rights to subrogate it back from the policyholder. These forms are signed to protect the insurance companies from other drivers in the household that the policyholder doesn't want to list. The OP's GF has *already* had the claims with his policy. Another way to put this is the OP has had 2 claims paid out under his policy and the insurer has the right to rate for them.

Raekwon · 09-08-2012, 12:20 PM

In my experience I have found that brokers know the least about insurance. . . .

jydk · 09-08-2012, 01:41 PM

Oh, I don't actually claim to know what I'm doing, but people pay me thinking I do...

FlamesKickAss · 09-11-2012, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jydk

The accident will follow you in the discribed case (regardless if you sign the SEF 28/8A, which you in no way want to do). You were the owner of the insurance contract and 2 at-fault claims were paid out, which makes you responsible. Your best option is to request your broker list you as the principal operator. You'll still be rated for the claims but your liability premium may decrease as your grid rate should be better than your GF's. If at some point your GF gets her own vehicle, I'd recommened insuring with the same provider, that way the accident will be rated just on her vehicle and not yours. That, or you'll have to provide a letter from her carrier each renewal stating she is being rated for those 2 claims. If you have any questions feel free to PM me, I am an insurance broker.

well that depends on the company you go with.........

93Hound · 09-11-2012, 03:42 PM

I agree with JYDK. you want to make sure that your GF doesnt go any longerthan 2 years without insurance as well..... if she does then she will also be rated as a new driver again. If she stays on the policy at least she willhave continous insurance.

macker · 09-11-2012, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93Hound

I agree with JYDK. you want to make sure that your GF doesnt go any longerthan 2 years without insurance as well..... if she does then she will also be rated as a new driver again. If she stays on the policy at least she willhave continous insurance.

She would be treated and rated like a new driver now regardless as her rating would have dropped to the bottom after the claims.