Insurance for 18 Year Old Who Can't Get Renewal

Hi all

So my son bought a car just over a year ago (2015 Ford Fiesta) and we had it insured with Budget Direct. He had an accident in April last year where he was at fault and my wife and I encouraged him to claim as the other party did not have insurance and were getting petty about costs etc. That is what you buy insurance for right? My assumption was that Budget would probably not have been down at all with his premium for last year + $2000 excess.

This year he received an email from Budget saying that they will not insure him. The issue is every other insurer also will not insure him, as he had a claim and his insurer has not renewed his insurance.

What do we do?

Say to him to drive without insurance?
Us get insurance on the car and put him as a named occasional driver?
Anything else?

Thanks for any help

Ian

Comments

  • +41

    Might be worth going to an insurance broker.

    Driving without insurance = stupidity.

    • +7

      But if he drives without insurance, we get a more interesting story next time he has a crash.

  • +9

    This is one of the lesser-known problems with budget insurers. The risk they're willing to take is much less than the larger insurers, so often after one or two at-faults, they're no longer willing to insure.

    That then leads to the very issue your son is having now because every insurer asks if you've ever been refused insurance and you have to answer yes.

    Have you tried calling the other larger insurers directly to explain the situation?

    This year he received an email from Budget saying that they will not insure him.

    So what did your son do about insurance during the period from when the car was fixed, up to now?

    • The old policy was still vaild.

      • -2

        I once heard that once a claim is lodged the current policy is automatically spent and you need to buy a new policy. So I guess I have been misinformed?

        • +20

          You are probably thinking of a write-off.

    • +1

      So the insurance wasn't cancelled after his accident, so he has had insurance until now.

      • +1

        Read the message from them carefully. If they are not renewing the policy, it will remain in force until the last date on the contract. If they cancelled it from date of notification then the policy ended from that date.
        If they are not renewing it, that is different to cancelling, which is what most insurers ask about.

  • +16

    Us get insurance on the car and put him as a named occasional driver?

    Sort of. Don't mention your son on the policy at all.

    Get the insurance under your name and if your son has another crash pay the extra excess for an non nominated driver.

    • +16

      Have to be careful here - some insurers (if not all) have conditions for the "unlisted driver". It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure "a driver who has previously been refused insurance" is one of the exclusions. It'll be written in the PDS.

      • +1

        just for arguments sake,

        if you don't enquire about insurance then you how do you know if you have been refused insurance

        • +1

          if you don't enquire about insurance then you how do you know if you have been refused insurance

          haha that's one of the ways around it, but in OP's case, Budget has sent them an email refusing to renew the cover. (It's almost like having a gut instinct, without obvious symptoms of a particular medical condition, that you've got a serious health issue but not going to the doctor until after you get insurance. If you go to the doctor and then get insurance, it'll be a pre-existing condition and then it'll become an exclusion).

          'Not renewing' is different to outright being refused though. Hence my earlier question to OP above about what was done about insurance up to now (ie, did Budget continue to provide cover up to the renewal date?).

        • +4

          Insurance companies share data, for their best interest.

          • +7

            @boomramada: I used to work for AAMI, and doubt that we shared anything with any other "out-of-brand" insurance company, but we could see all sorts of data from the brands in our own network (Suncorp/GIO/Bingle/APIA/Shannons/Teri Scheer/CIL/Vero/AA). Budget cancelling after a claim seems to be how they do things.
            Suggest you get your son's insurance sorted ASAP. And remember there is a difference between "declined renewal" and "refused cover". It is all in the wording used. Listen/reaad the question carefully when applying for new cover.
            Some policies do not cover unlisted drivers, and others ramp up the excess. By taking out a policy in your son's name you are building an insurance history for him, which will also help reduce premiums in the future. Some insurers prefer to see that, rather than periods of uninsured asstes.
            - And do also check what difference it makes to the premium if you add one or both of his parents to the list of drivers. I've seen some interesting reductions in the premium. (Owners under 25 years often get better prices by adding a driver over 45)
            Good luck with sorting this.

            • +1

              @magpuy: I dont work for any insurence company but according to insurancecouncil, they do share data. It doesnt tell you what sort of data tho. Maybe they bluff, but imagin if you hit a 200k car and insurence company deny the claim.

            • +1

              @magpuy:

              By taking out a policy in your son's name you are building an insurance history for him, which will also help reduce premiums in the future.

              Sounds like the exact opposite is happening in this case though. Building a bad insurance history!

    • Check PDS carefully first tho.

    • +2

      Non nominated driver that is a member of the household will be not covered by some policies

    • +2

      Please don't do this - you will pay for protection and when the time comes - you wont have it
      If the car rego is in his name you will need to find an insurer who will offer cover
      You may have to opt for Third Party Property Damage only (so no cover for your car - just those you hit)
      If the rego is in parents name you can take a policy out in your name and declare he drives it regularly
      You will need to declare his accident too
      Some insurers won't offer - but a few more might if in Parents name with him listed

      First place to try is where parents have all their policies
      This is why I recommend finding a good insurer to deal with who has fair prices and trying to stick with them
      That loyalty buys you more leeway when the time comes
      Good luck

    • Interesting !

  • +5

    Nrma will cover any driver, without being nominated. Take out insurance with them in your name, hope you don't have to claim and pay the age excess etc.

    • Not in VIC they won't.

    • Can confirm this is the case.

    • +4

      Insurers like NRMA they tend to want to know about regular drivers and want them listed. They’ll cover anyone who drives occasionally. They may refuse your claim if they can prove that the 18yo is a regular driver.

      I discussed with an insurer and they sort of said (was hard to get a definitive answer) driving more than once per month should be nominated. Different company might expect different definitions.

      Some budget mobs will not insure anyone not listed who lives at the same address.

      • +1

        They will also deny the claim if they discover that the car in question is not owned and operated by the policyholder.
        And with the son's record, they will likely investigate any claim.
        They are also likely to refuse the policyholder further insurance, including property, travel, etc.n and will share this information with every insurer in Oz.
        They call it fraud, and take it pretty seriously.

        • -1

          Who owns it has nothing to do with the policy

          • -1

            @cille745: That's good to know.
            I just insured my next door neighbour's 4WD.
            Tonight, I'm going to set it on fire so that I can claim the $80K.
            I'm so glad I do not have to prove that I own it!!!

            • @azonki: You do realise that insurers ask if you’re the registered owner or not when you insure it right?

    • Any insurer is entitled to review the circumstances of a policy at claim time if there is non-disclosure
      If insurer can prove that they would not have accepted the policy if the son was declared then they can void the policy and give you your premium back
      If they would have accepted but at a higher price or different conditions then they are entitled to recover the extra or impose the conditions
      If an 18 yr old son of the Insured is driving and has a claim, and is not disclosed and listed appropriately - you bet they will avoid paying if they can

      Which means you basically paid for something you don't have when you need it

      • +1

        They literally state that you do not need to list drivers.

        • +1

          I suspect you are missing an IF
          As in you don't need to list drivers IF they are >25, have no traffic convictions, no prior accidents, etc.
          I am in the industry and I have never seen an insurer not ask for adequate disclosure

          • @Noblejoker: Please show me where it states this.

            • @brendanm: On which policy? NRMA? in what state
              Buyer beware and read your own pds

              Interesting note - Allianz have an ad running now about lending your ute to a mate
              'Let someone else drive' etc.
              But read the bottom of the screen - subject to declaration of alcohol and driving convictions blah blah

              If someone driving your car has a claim on your policy EVERY insurer is checking the driver's history

  • -2

    So what are the ethics around this issue?
    What's the point of having insurance if the corporation can refuse to re-insure you simply because you made a claim?
    What is the recourse for a young person who needs to get their driving skills up if they are being denied insurance by the greedy corporations?
    Is the driver also refused 3rd party property insurance?
    Has the OP talked to the insurance ombudsman?

    Sounds like another scam to me…but then what else is new?

    • +2

      Perhaps you could insure Ops son?

    • +2

      Insurance? Ethics? Ha!

    • +3

      Yep its unfair, that an insurance company can refuse some more likely to have an accident - as you say

      What is the recourse for a young person who needs to get their driving skills up if they are being denied insurance

      Its Ozbargain, I doubt if anyone here is going to accept higher premium to cover a young person getting their driving skills up.

      Get 3rd party property and theft insurance and drive more carefully

      • Their very reason for existence is to insure people who might have an accident.

        Just because he had one does not follow that he will have more, in fact if he learned his lesson his is probably less likely to have one.
        And how can he improve his driving skills if he's not allowed to drive?

        And what is the big message here? That you have to pay lots of money each year to insurance companies in case you have an accident but if you DO have an accident we will no longer insure you?

        Am I missing anything?

        • +3

          Their very reason for existence is to insure people who might have an accident.

          On paper it is, but they rely/betting on you not having an accident to make money. Remember, they're a business, not a charity.

          You also haven't taken ops sons age into consideration. A male 18yo P plater(?) most likely falls into the riskiest category statistically. It's not their problem if Ops son can't improve his driving.

          • -1

            @Ughhh: Doesn't sound like he's being given a chance to improve.

            "On paper it is, but they rely/betting on you not having an accident to make money. Remember, they're a business, not a charity."

            Nope. They are not relying on one person to not have an accident, they are relying on the majority of their customers to not have an accident. If their business model is that fragile that they will succeed or fail on the basis of one 18 year old kid then we need better businesses.

            • +2

              @EightImmortals:

              Doesn't sound like he's being given a chance to improve.

              Not insurers problem?

              Nope. They are not relying on one person to not have an accident

              I didn't say they were relying on one person…? Lol.
              Not a matter whether the business model is fragile or not, they just don't need to take this (ops son) as a risk, when there are plenty of other people to make money from.

            • +2

              @EightImmortals: Really, if your hypothesis is correct and verified by data, the insurance companies would be all over themselves to get business from 1st time accident drivers.

              Funny they don’t want that business.

              Just as funny as your claim.

              • @RockyRaccoon: Have a play around in the online quote system for any insurer to get an idea what that insurer will accept to cover. I recall from my time in the industry, that one or two claims made the prmeium more expensive, and 3 or more was an instant decline of cover. Very dependent on the "risk appetite" of the company.

          • +2

            @Ughhh: This is correct. I have worked in the pricing department for quite a few of big companies in personal lines ie. Motor and property insurance.

            The truth of the matter is that <25yo male drivers are loss making business. The premium charged even at the $5k /year level is insufficient to cover the expected loss that results when they claim.

            In OPs case, average claim sizes for <25yo are easily in excess of $12k. They have high claim frequencies and high average claim sizes (in major accidents). Truthfully they are an uninsurable group from a profitability point of view.

            The way that insurance works is through diversification and spreading of risk. In reality, if they didn't accept <25yo drivers, premiums for everyone else would go down, the rest of us are actually paying (subsidising if you will) for their risk. However because of reputational risk and to meet market need, companies have to offer this group insurance even at unprofitable premiums.

            It is no different to flood prone properties in Qld along the Brisbane River. Some of these properties are just not insurable risks, some premiums are >$40k. You just can't offer that to customers from a commercial point of view.

      • So we are attempting to get 3rd Party, that is what he had and what had been but renewed.

        • +1

          Was "spit-balling" a quote on the AAMI website and arrived at a comprehensive cover with primary driver history showing a single claim where excess was paid, for $8K cover premium is $2302 with $1000 excess.The only reason you'd "need" to go for 3rd party is if there is any unrepaired damage on the vehicle.

    • +4

      Might have been better if insurance company didn't refuse to renew, but just increased the premium by $5k or something stupid. At least it would be easier to go somewhere else.

      • -2

        Until insurer is on the hook for somebody's reasonable medical expenses, when $5k won't cover anything at all.

        • +5

          Medical expenses would be covered by Compulsory Third Party/TAC insurance, not motor accident insurance.

          My point is, if the insurance company raised the premium to something really unreasonable, to give the message that they don't want them anymore, the incentive would be to move to somewhere else.

    • +1

      …but then what else is new?

      boo hoo the world doesn't line up with my beliefs this is wrong and scary and I'm unreasonably angry about everything

      Insurance is about risk. The insurer took a calculated risk. That risk was realised. The insurer has used this new information to adjust their tolerances, and they've decided OP's son is no longer worth the risk. Other insurers are using this information to manage their risks - just like you would in the same situation, because it's a business, not a charity.

      • So how many uninsured drivers on the roads are you comfortable with?

        • Who's going to take the bullet though?

    • This argument goes both ways
      1. Why don't insurers cover everybody - isn't that what they should do? vs
      2. If Insurance covers everyone, then all those other people having claims put my bills up

      At the end of the day the Insurance is a business
      Their reason to exist is to provide a service and make a profit for their shareholders
      They are taking educated guesses on who is less likely to have claims and giving them preference to ensure that profit outcome
      The only compulsory insurances - like Workers Comp and CTP - are Govt mandated and supported because they lose tons of money
      Private insurance companies are going to be profit motivated just like every other private business
      Market forces supply and demand determine prices and company success
      If you want awesome cheap telephones - Govt needs to own Telstra - if you privatise then Telstra needs to make a profit
      That's the way it is and always will be

    • +2

      Where do you think the money comes from to pay for all the kids' accidents?
      The insurer is trying to protect their members from inflated premiums to subsidise known bad risks.

  • +1

    Have a look at Allianz. That's who I am with for my vehicle.

    Their policy won't ask about having insurance refused previously and I've had a thorough look through their PDS and it states nothing about not covering someone driving who was previously refused insurance.

    Driver exclusions include the following:

    There is no cover if you or anyone you permit to drive, use or be in charge of your car:
    • is unlicensed to drive your car or isn’t following the conditions of their licence
    • exceeds the legal limit of alcohol in their blood or breath in the state where an accident happened or is under the influence of any drugs
    • refuses a test to determine their level of drugs or alcohol in their blood or breath,

    It does however say:

    If something changes after you’ve taken out your policy, it can affect your cover. So, if anything changes, you must let us know as soon as you reasonably can.
    Contact us when:

    • If you are convicted of any criminal act or have a claim refused, insurance declined or a special condition imposed by another insurer

    As far as I am concerned, if they haven't asked you prior, then there would be no need to inform them.

    • It's pretty clear you need to let them know if anything changes from what they've written

      • It pretty clearly says after the policy has been taken out. It says nothing about telling them anything that has occurred prior to starting the policy.

        • Some insurers, before you actually proceed with a quote, ask you to be honest and clear about your situation.

          You can always try and bluff, but you're not the first to try and trick the insurere, they will always try to weasel paying and if you give them a chance, you'd bet they'll take it.

          So it doesn't matter if it was after, you'll still end up paying for insurance that won't pay out.

          • +1

            @mbck: I went through Allianz’s insurance questions less than 3 days ago as I switched from NRMA. No questions about being previously refused insurance.

            They asked only if you had any claims in the last 5 years or if you had any restrictions or cancellation of licence in the past 3 years.

            • -3

              @Pelicannn:

              They asked only if you had any claims in the last 5 years

              Read that part again

              Now read OP's post again, especially the bit about being denied insurance because of a claim

              Now read that part again

              • +4

                @GrueHunter: This is like talking to a brick wall. Go through their online quote process, put in one claim in the last 5 years. All they ask for is when it was, and who was at fault. That’s it.

                They. Do. Not. Ask. About. Being. Previously. Refused. Nor is is in their PDS

            • @Pelicannn: They also ask if you've been refused insurance in the past.

              Kid has accident. Insurer checks he has been refused before, rejects claim. Worse, rejects you (the dad) as well. Now two people can't get insurance. Comes to ozb for advice.

              Not that hard to anticipate.

              Anyways, do what you think you should do, but live with the consequences of your decisions.

              • +1

                @mbck:

                They also ask if you've been refused insurance in the past.

                No. They didn’t. Read my post. I literally did the quote process three days ago. Go on their website and do it yourself and screenshot it please.

                • +2

                  @Pelicannn: Here. I’ve done it for you.

                  https://imgur.com/a/xNRkHZH

                  You can read their entire PDS in your own time and waste it, or you can take what I’ve written as true. They do not exclude people who have previously been refused insurance. The quote might be ridiculous but at least OP’s son will be able to get insurance.

        • -3

          let us know how you go with that… no way I'd take the risk of not telling them..

          its not like they need to make up excuses to decline a payout… just give em one.

          • +3

            @pharkurnell: It’s not in their PDS therefore it’s not enforceable.

            • @Pelicannn: I am surprised they don't ask about previous insurance refusal but take your word (and phots) that they don't
              That said I suspect that once OP discloses he is 18 with an at fault accident they will not offer cover anyway

              • @Noblejoker: See below. Apparently OP got asked during some final questions. Not sure if related to the fact they put the 18 y/o on or the previous accident listed flagged a later question.

                I never got one but yeah OP’s is unfortunately up shit creek and it’s pretty brutal imo.

    • +1

      So I had a go with them. I got a quote, but when I went to buy additional questions came up, one of which was "you or a policy holder have had a claim refused, insurance declined,…". When I put that he had insurance declined I got a page saying that they would not insure him.

      😭

      • Very interesting. Well then I apologise to all those above. That’s not the experience I had with them so I wonder if it’s an age thing, I never had those questions pop up.

        Was there a time period on the insurance refused thing? I wonder if it still matters 5 years down the track. Insurance ombudsman would be your best bet perhaps.

      • Was his insurance declined, or was his renewal refused? There is a difference. Refusing renewal leaves the current cover in place until it comes due for renewal, at which point your current insurer will not renew. Get a new policy in place before due date and answer that question as "No".

  • What do we do?

    can you trade-in your son for a better model?

    • +1

      he might be a very good model, just shit at driving.

  • +1

    Support him to become a better driver and ensure that what happened does not happen again.

    • Next birthday gift can be some defensive driving lessons

    • +2

      Are you suggesting driving uninsured? Or somehow becoming a better driver without driving?

      • Definitely not the former, mostly the latter. I think if you are already driving and have passed your test it's possible to learn by example etc.

  • +2

    As someone who had an at-fault at 18, NRMA continued to insure me.

    I dabble in comprehensive insurance in my current work, and while not the case with every insurer, it's important to note that while your insurer may cover people not named on the policy, there can be a clause in there that people that wouldn't be granted cover by that insurer won't be covered.

    As mentioned above, go see an insurance broker if you're worried about it.

  • -6

    What do we do?

    Tell him to catch public transport.

    Not to give parenting advice (people seem averse to that for some reason, but I am a parent myself ultimately) - but your son is 18, he is an adult, legally he is responsible for all of his actions, you should allow him to be responsible. No longer your place to be involved in his car, insurance, accidents…etc.

    Actions have consequences and being an unsafe driver / getting into accidents…etc. will make your life harder in some way or another. He can spend his time on the bus reflecting on how to be a safer driver.

    • Chill buddy, OPs son hasn't done anything illegal.

  • Get him a disposable shitbox with only 3rd party property insured. Much cheaper too.

    • We are only trying to get 3rd party insurance for him. Can't get that

  • +6

    This is a good lession for rest of us, I think OP should make a complain to https://www.afca.org.au/make-a-complaint/insurance and ask for review.
    It not like OPs son did a majour crime, just an accdent. Next time if there is a Budget Direct deal on ozb, I will negative it based on this.

    Why can't they just increase the premium?

    FYI - similar case https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/515473 | https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/3vy5z7l9

    • +4

      Interesting the piece about non renewal vs cancelling. We did get a quote with Allianz based on this, but in the end have give with Youi. My son spoke to them on the phone and clarified that they knew about the incident and got Third Party, Fire and Theft as we wanted.

      Thanks for all your tips and hints. Wish we hadn't got him to claim when he had the accident, but you live and learn.

      • Glad you were able to sort something out. It appears Auspost would insure an 18 year old with a recent accident who had not been refused insurance for fraud or dishonesty (the only question about being refused insurance), if there is no unrepaired damage to the vehicle. Got through to the payment screen using fake details. QBE is the underwriter and it appears they would too, but I didn't check.

      • Care to share what the cost was in the end?

  • +7

    From my time working at AAMI, we treated "Declined renewal" as different to "refused cover" and "Cancelled cover". Whoever OP talks to (yes, PHONE the company), ask to speak to a supervisor and get them to explain the difference. It will come down to the person on the other end of the call understanding their own rules properly. I had to go through this with a customer on the phone and it has stuck with me (but my memory could be faulty, I had a stroke in April 2022).

  • Honestly, for the prices they charge for full comp premiums, maybe just get 3rd party fire and theft and drive like that

    In some countries that's all they offer! Basically cover maxes out at $4 ot $5k for owners car with everything else covered

  • What about Roll’n insurance part of IAG group (same group at NRMA). Or are you saying no other insurance will give him insurance because he was rejected by Budget!

    • So that was what I was saying, but Youi have insured him, albeit at nearly 200% extra!

      • Did you try getting a quote with Rolln’? They were $1500 p.a cheaper than NRMA’s quote when adding my p platers. They are a great insurance company for young people and they offer much cheaper Premiums but you have to pay monthly.

        They also won Mozo Experts Choice for Exceptional Value Young Driver Insurance.

        From https://mozo.com.au/insurance/car-insurance/rollin/Comprehen…

        What's hot
        Multiple 2022 Mozo Experts Choice Awards
        Monthly premiums available at no extra cost
        24/7 claims service
        $0 excess for windscreen cover

        What's not
        $3,000 unlisted drivers excess

        Mozo snapshot
        Looking for a car insurance policy that’s transparent and keeps things easy to understand? Then ROLLiN' Car Insurance could be right for you. Not only will you have a 24/7 claims service on your side, but ROLLiN' has a simplified $800 excess for all listed drivers, and if you’ve got more than one driver in the family, you’ll be able to have more than one car or driver on the same policy.

      • Could you share how much it was?

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