Insuring a 2016 WRX with a 20yo driver in the policy

LMorang on 02/08/2017 - 15:56
Last edited 02/08/2017 - 16:39

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask if there are any insurance companies that will do comprehensive cover on a 2016 WRX with a fully licensed policy holder, a fully licensed 2nd driver, and a 3rd driver with a probationary license (20 y/o).

Commonwealth bank refused to insure the car based on the premise that it is a 'high performance' car and the 3rd driver is 'underage'. They also stated that it would be very hard to find an insurance company that will cover it. Is that true?

edit In Victoria, The CVT WRX is not illegal, the manual one is. (as it was manufactured after 2010 and does not exceed 130kw per tonne) *

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

morang

Automotive

Comments

  • bobbified on 02/08/2017 - 16:04
    +4

    The 20 year old P plater is not allowed to drive that turbo-charged car.

    https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/your-ps/prohibited-…

    No company will provide you with insurance if he/she is listed as a driver. Even if he isn't listed on the policy, he will not be covered in an accident (even with the unlisted driver excess) and he will be charged by the police for driving that car.

    • Morang on 02/08/2017 - 16:37

      The CVT WRX is listed as approved on the database though? The car does not exceed 130kw/tonne

      • bobbified on 02/08/2017 - 17:34
        +2

        If that's the case, then check the smaller, specialized insurance companies. They may insure it and if they do, the cost might be ridiculously high.

        When I was 21, I had the 2000 model WRX insured through Just Car Insurance. The annual premium was $6,000!

        If you're 100% confident that he's legally allowed to drive, then you could also buy the insurance policy without the driver's name listed and check the conditions about both "unlisted" and "inexperienced" drivers - both come with their separate excess payments in the event of a claim. Some policies will even have exclusions relating to those drivers. So be very careful and don't simply assume that it's all fine.

  • airal3rt on 02/08/2017 - 16:05
    +5

    Every single one of the 14 different models of 2016 WRX is illegal for a P-plater to drive - no company will insure an illegal activity unless it is by error, and in the event of an accident if that comes to light they may use the illegal nature to deny a payout.

    http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/drivers/y…

    • Morang on 02/08/2017 - 16:35

      In Victoria, the CVT WRX is legal for p-platers, as it comes in at about 128.6w/kg (up to 130w/kg allowed).

      Source: https://goo.gl/EyC3qo

      • pjetson on 02/08/2017 - 16:42

        Interesting. The only difference between the models that are approved and those that are banned seems to be the CVT.

        Does the CVT knobble the car that much?

        • Morang on 02/08/2017 - 17:04

          The CVT model does lose some power, but it can be regained through an ECU tune. If I didnt live in Melbourne, the manual would've been the first option.

          I figured The CVT has a manual mode but the manual doesn't have an automatic mode…

        • David2017 on 02/08/2017 - 21:20

          @Morang:
          If you do manage to find someone to insure it, don't mod it. If you do anything that changes the power to weight ratio and the P plater crashes it the insurance company won't pay out.

      • pegaxs on 02/08/2017 - 17:31
        +1

        Since it isn't on the official VicRoads website, I would take that list with a grain of salt. It's a kw/t restriction, and considering that the engine in both the cars is the same, the cars would be virtually the same weight and I think it's a good indication if insurance companies want to avoid insuring your car.

        Even if they did insure you, the premium would be almost enough to just buy Jr. their own car. I just know that it would be, "no, sorry princess, this is a daddy car…"

        • Morang on 02/08/2017 - 18:18

          Vicroads says to use that database though, it's hyperlinked on the official vicroads websites. The W/kg is identical to kw/t, (1000w=1kw,1000kg=1t). The CVT model is heavier (by 100kg) as is the case with most automatic transmissions.

          Jr. Doesn't want/need the car as he takes public transport or cycles most of the time, but he is relied on to drive around other family members for appointments/school/work.

        • pegaxs on 03/08/2017 - 00:17
          +1

          @Morang: Then again, I reiterate my previous comment, buy the car for yourself and don't put Jr on the insurance for it. For the money saved, you could buy a small run about car for Jr to do the taxi work.

          There are a lot of Uber trips for what the premium will end up being if you do find an insurer let alone the excess for when the inevitable happens. Not to mention the despair you will feel when Jr calls you to say they ran your pride and joy up the arse of another car. "I swear dad! I went to the shops and came back and it was like that…" Yeah, no thanks.

          It sounds more like you are buying a new car and trying to justify a WRX to your other half. In my house, where I wear the pants, I say that it's "daddy's car" and I insure it as such. And unless the house is on fire, don't touch daddy's pride and joy. If I wanted/needed my offspring to do the taxi work, I wouldn't be buying a WRX as a "family/taxi" car and would look at something a little less sporty and a little more utilitarian (Perhaps an Impreza without a turbo on it but buy a big wing for the back??). Or I would just buy something that suited the taxi work…

    • Diji1 on 02/08/2017 - 17:07
      +2

      may

      Will

  • altomic on 02/08/2017 - 16:25
    +20

    next Post - a probationary license driver (20 y/o) crashed my 2016 WRX, help.

  • Gronk on 02/08/2017 - 16:28

    Not only will you not find an insurer that will insure your 20yo driver, the kid will lose their license if they're pulled over in it and possibly worse….

  • nocure on 02/08/2017 - 17:04
    +3

    Wish my parents would buy me a 2016 REX…

    • pegaxs on 02/08/2017 - 17:35
      +4

      And put me as a nominated driver on their policy….

  • whooah1979 on 02/08/2017 - 17:33

    Nrma?

    They insured uber drivers back in the days when no other insurers would and the nsw government still considered ride sharing to be an offence.

  • PVA on 02/08/2017 - 18:47
    +1

    Call RACV and see if they will.

  • BensonP on 02/08/2017 - 18:47

    Insurance companies make no sense.

    Budget Direct WOULD NOT insure me, when I was 22, for an dedicated LPG Holden SV6, because it was a 'sports model'.

    AAMI had no problems insuring my V8 SS Commodore when I was 23.

    Shopping around is your only option, unfortunately.

    • endotherm on 02/08/2017 - 21:13
      +2

      When I was young, they wouldn't insure you if you had "mag" (alloy) wheels as that made you a "hoon". All 14" of them on a 6-cylinder family-sized Falcon passenger sedan…

      • pegaxs on 03/08/2017 - 09:30

        OMG, yes! I remember being the brunt of this bullshit. Parents had a car that came from the factory with "alloy wheels" and were denied insurance when they were going to put me on the policy because of that. I still remember my dad sitting at the table with the trading post news paper looking for a good set of steel wheels with hubcaps.

  • imurgod on 02/08/2017 - 18:53
    +1

    Forget the NRMA and all those other advertised insurers.

    You're going to need to go to a broker to get this sorted. There are underwriting agencies that can write this risk, provided all drivers have an exemplary claims history and driving record. I mean you'll need to be squeaky clean.

    Also, they'll likely load the excess for inexperienced drivers and also load the premium so it won't be cheap but you can get it.

    The WRX in particular has a very poor reputation in the insurance industry and remains one of the highest risks because they're often in accidents and a LOT of them stolen.

    Best of luck.

    • whooah1979 on 02/08/2017 - 19:53

      The WRX in particular has a very poor reputation in the insurance industry and remains one of the highest risks because they're often in accidents

      interesting.
      http://www.executivestyle.com.au/luxury-drivers-crash-more-o…

      • imurgod on 02/08/2017 - 21:01

        I'd take "figures compiled by NRMA" with a grain of salt. Especially since its a 12 month study.

        I did say "one of the highest risks and" often in accidents". Thus truth remains.

        Luxury cars are also seen as a higher risk but for different reasons. For example, they aren't stolen or total losses nearly as often as WRX.

        Additionally, luxury cars have numerous small claims and represent a small percentage of total insured vehicles, while WRX have a lot of total loss and stolen claims over, say, 10 years and there are a lot more of them. Read into that what you will.

        That said, repairs for luxury cars is more expensive and they also generally carry higher excesses and premiums and also often exclude under 30 drivers.

        I hope I made sense.

        Interesting article though.

  • David2017 on 02/08/2017 - 20:49
    +1

    Try Shannons

  • JimmyF on 02/08/2017 - 20:53
    +2

    The old trying to get your parents to insure the car as they won't touch you…… Yeah nay, wait till you're off Ps and try again

  • tunzafun001 on 02/08/2017 - 21:56

    As someone said earlier, take out a policy with a company that insures all drivers regardless if they are listed. Each will have their own excess for the age group…and/ or take out a policy with the oldest listed driver, pay for it. Then later ring up and add the other drivers. Your renewal will be a lot higher next year, but just repeat with another company.

    Also, try Coles insurance. They have a price match option near the end. Put in a low figure and keep trying until it is accepted.

  • Hiroko on 03/08/2017 - 00:17
    +1

    legal or not, if youre going to let your 20yo drive your WRX, might be a good idea to enrol him/her through an advanced driving course at the very least.

    • here2rock on 03/08/2017 - 07:21
      +1

      Good advice, where can you do these advance courses?

      • Hiroko on 04/08/2017 - 07:40

        Eastern Creek.
        Another bonus is some insurers will actually give you a discount on their premium if youve completed certain courses.

  • paul09 on 03/08/2017 - 09:40
    -2

    The amount of 'experts' in here speaking absolute rubbish is ridiculous

    Why post when you clearly have no idea?

    Also as someone whose parents had powerful cars, I was sensible enough to not have problems driving them at 18-21 etc…quite funny how so many people seem to think young people are incapable of handling fast cars, not that a CVT wrx is even THAT fast…

    My advice: just have them as an unlisted driver. I did this on my parents cars and we ensured it wouldn't be an issue if a claim was required. It just means the excess will be much higher if the unlisted person crashes.

  • 2ndeffort on 03/08/2017 - 13:17

    Have a word to a Subaru dealer. They resell insurance and have found insurance folks to partner with. If they cant find you an insurer nobody will.

  • Kyou mo Kawaii on 05/08/2017 - 16:43

    I'm currently 23 and I drive a 2016 WRX CVT (main/only driver and on my full license). I'm currently insured with NRMA and Comprehensive is ~1.3k with an excess of 1.5k + 400 under 25.

    In NSW, all models of WRXs are banned for Provisional drivers, there was a letter that was sent last year about this.

    That being said, had a car accident 2 days ago and the car is at the smash repairs now. (Not at fault btw)

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