Taxi Driver Online

Is taxi insurance ok to drive another taxi? A driver was reported recently when he test drove his best buddies new tx.

Not never ever ever ever. A taxi policy will never have the "driving other cars" extension that is sometimes given on a private car policy. Indeed, most policies for private cars owned and insured by taxi drivers do not give this cover either. You MUST look at your certificate. People say "but I've got comprehensive cover". What they don't always realise is that describes the cover for damage to the insured vehicle, not what you can use it for, who can drive it or anything else.

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Nobody told me to use my initiative. To err is human to arr is pirate.

Quick Q for you 2 jobs.
What's the situation regarding test drives and driving a purchased vehicle home ?

Obviously before you buy a vehicle you want to take it on a test drive. Do you have to inform your insurance co beforehand or take out some sort of temporary policy for 1/2 an hour, does the current owners insurance cover you if they sit in the passenger seat ?

What about getting it home after youv'e bought it, I'm talking straight from the purchase location to home no detours. Would a comprehensive taxi policy give cover as the vehicle is now owned by the policy holder ?

It depends on the wording of the policy applying to the specific vehicle. It may cover driving by any licenced authorised driver which is ok for a test drive; once you buy it, that insurance ceases to cover the vehicle as the insured person no longer owns it. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure any vehicle you drive is properly insured.

Many people have been caught out on this "going for a test drive". Up to 6 points, hefty fine, increased premiums etc. Is it worth it? If you buy the car, tell your insurers and they'll issue a cover note.

Sasha

Roy is absolutely right here. Insurance co's being the awkward 8uggers they are don't always agree to a "temporary additional vehicle" or "temporary additional driver". The vendor of the vehicle you are wanting to test drive may not want or be able to cover you as a temporary driver so you can test drive his car. If he has a genuine "any driver" policy you should be OK as long as the terms and conditions are adhered to. Your own insurance co may not want to cover a car for a test drive as at that stage it does not belong to you.

The best answer is to Google "short term car insurance". There are numerous on line "quote and buy" sites where you can buy cover for 1 to 28 days. We usually recommend www.dayinsure.com. Its underwritten by Aviva so quite secure.

Good luck.

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Nobody told me to use my initiative. To err is human to arr is pirate.

Wow that's great 2 Jobs. Put my details into dayinsure for my current car and for 24 hours worth of cover (not as a taxi !) it's £20.24. I'll remember them for future reference.

it SHOULD but excess, loss of NCB, etc oftem mean its not worth claiming when no other car or property is involved

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Only £7387.60 for the year.

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Grandad,

Yes but at £20-odd for one day why pay £7300 for a year when you don't need it? A bit like payday loans at 3572% apr.

The pro-rata rate drops the longer the period but 28 days is the max on these. Its also useful if you want someone to drive your car that your own insurer won't cover or you don't want to risk. I wouldn't fancy the odds myself, £20 premium and run the risk of a big injury claim say. In any event most insurance co's charge £50 per week or part thereof for a temp car anyway. This is normally only available once you have actually bought it.

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Nobody told me to use my initiative. To err is human to arr is pirate.

The last two cars I've bought have been covered for 7 days FOC but not H&R. This is handy while I'm rushing round getting my own insurance sorted out and getting the vehicle plated.

It was also convenient for wifey to drive home from a jazz evening that week when I got pi$$ed!!!!!

Great if you are buying from a main dealer. Don't let on it will be a taxi as the offer of the 7 days free insurance may be withdrawn. I've had several people caught like that even though it won't be used for h&r during that period.

I'd get pi$$ed too if I had to listen to jazz

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Nobody told me to use my initiative. To err is human to arr is pirate.

I was totally up front. After all insurance is a contract uberimae fidei so easily voidable by them if I don't disclose a material fact.

It was our first visit to the Concord Club at Eastleigh. Brilliant night!!

You are of course correct, never tell an untruth. My understanding was the people who didn't get the cover said to the salesman they were buying the car for use as a cab. I assumed they were not actually asked the question about occupation.

Jazz = 10 blokes with beards all playing different tunes at the same time! Glad you enjoyed it though.

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Nobody told me to use my initiative. To err is human to arr is pirate.