Test drives and insurance

Haly · 26-08-2007, 21:05

I'm planning on going to see a Ka at a small local garage on Tuesday and was hoping to get to test drive it.
However, having thought about it, I'm not entirely sure if I'd be covered.
My insurance is fully comp with the clio but doesn't allow me to drive other cars on third party, while my Dad's does (So he gets to drive his car and my car which is a tad unfair

).
He reckons the local garage would be insured in a way that means I could test drive it as long as a representative from there was with me, but I'm not so sure and obviously would like to know before going there.

Anyone know the exact details for stuff like this?

Mark · 26-08-2007, 21:08

I think your Dad is right. There's a special type of insurance for car sales reps. Otherwise how would people legally test drive their first car before they get insurance?

You can always check with the rep.

Will · 26-08-2007, 21:14

They usually have their own insurance policy which should cover you for the test drive. It can depend whether or not they are in the car with you too. Fortunately I always make sure I have a DOC policy on my insurance - advantages of being older and good insurance record makes it more likely too.

As Mark says, how would people be able to test drive cars legally if they didn't have insurance to let buyers give it a go?!

Haly · 26-08-2007, 21:14

The previous garage that I bought my clio at wouldn't allow me to test drive it due to it being my first car so that's why I'm not sure.

In that case my Dad did instead.

I will of course be checking with the garage, just after a heads up really.

Dr. Z · 26-08-2007, 23:17

If they wont let you drive it due to insurance (although there is no reason why they shouldn't) dayinsure will cover you for £10.50, although personally for a test drive like that I haven't really considered actually paying for insurance cover, just taken it for a quick spin on private land of course *cough*

Will · 27-08-2007, 09:29

I wouldn't buy from a dealer that didn't have cover for a start. Private's a bit different but worth the risk IMO - a car for me is an investment and something I don't like to lose money on - so I want to know what I'm getting myself into

Haly · 27-08-2007, 11:23

Last time it was more down to cover for me than anyone else, hence why my Dad test drove it. And why I wanted to check because I didn't know what had changed or whether it was just down to my Dad having a different kind of cover to me.
I'm not so stupid as to buy a car that hasn't been test driven

I just respect my Dad's opinion so I didn't mind him being the only one that could drive the clio.

Will · 27-08-2007, 11:30

If I followed my father's advice I'd have some 20 horse power tractor with about as much soul as a lump of lard.

Enjoy the test drive! Try and leave some of the tyres on the wheels

Haly · 27-08-2007, 11:35

Well I'd never follow his advice if it was what car to get

But he's good at noticing if cars are driving odd, funny noises, that kind of thing. So he was fine back then, but it'll be nice to test drive this one myself.

Although i'll be going from a car with very stiff steering to a car with power steering so cornering may be interesting

Hopefully it's a good un

Will · 27-08-2007, 11:40

You'll be fine - it's good to take someone with good technical knowledge, a lot of people would be too proud to do that.

26-08-2007, 21:05	#1
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Test drives and insurance I'm planning on going to see a Ka at a small local garage on Tuesday and was hoping to get to test drive it. However, having thought about it, I'm not entirely sure if I'd be covered. My insurance is fully comp with the clio but doesn't allow me to drive other cars on third party, while my Dad's does (So he gets to drive his car and my car which is a tad unfair ). He reckons the local garage would be insured in a way that means I could test drive it as long as a representative from there was with me, but I'm not so sure and obviously would like to know before going there. Anyone know the exact details for stuff like this? __________________ Halycopter

26-08-2007, 21:14	#3
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	They usually have their own insurance policy which should cover you for the test drive. It can depend whether or not they are in the car with you too. Fortunately I always make sure I have a DOC policy on my insurance - advantages of being older and good insurance record makes it more likely too. As Mark says, how would people be able to test drive cars legally if they didn't have insurance to let buyers give it a go?! __________________ *No No!*

26-08-2007, 21:14	#4
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	The previous garage that I bought my clio at wouldn't allow me to test drive it due to it being my first car so that's why I'm not sure. In that case my Dad did instead. I will of course be checking with the garage, just after a heads up really. __________________ Halycopter

26-08-2007, 23:17	#5
Dr. Z I'm going for a scuttle... Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,021	If they wont let you drive it due to insurance (although there is no reason why they shouldn't) dayinsure will cover you for £10.50, although personally for a test drive like that I haven't really considered actually paying for insurance cover, just taken it for a quick spin on private land of course cough __________________

27-08-2007, 09:29	#6
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	I wouldn't buy from a dealer that didn't have cover for a start. Private's a bit different but worth the risk IMO - a car for me is an investment and something I don't like to lose money on - so I want to know what I'm getting myself into __________________ *No No!*

26-08-2007, 21:08	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	I think your Dad is right. There's a special type of insurance for car sales reps. Otherwise how would people legally test drive their first car before they get insurance? You can always check with the rep.

27-08-2007, 11:23	#7
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Last time it was more down to cover for me than anyone else, hence why my Dad test drove it. And why I wanted to check because I didn't know what had changed or whether it was just down to my Dad having a different kind of cover to me. I'm not so stupid as to buy a car that hasn't been test driven I just respect my Dad's opinion so I didn't mind him being the only one that could drive the clio. __________________ Halycopter

27-08-2007, 11:30	#8
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	If I followed my father's advice I'd have some 20 horse power tractor with about as much soul as a lump of lard. Enjoy the test drive! Try and leave some of the tyres on the wheels __________________ *No No!*

27-08-2007, 11:35	#9
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Well I'd never follow his advice if it was what car to get But he's good at noticing if cars are driving odd, funny noises, that kind of thing. So he was fine back then, but it'll be nice to test drive this one myself. Although i'll be going from a car with very stiff steering to a car with power steering so cornering may be interesting Hopefully it's a good un __________________ Halycopter

27-08-2007, 11:40	#10
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	You'll be fine - it's good to take someone with good technical knowledge, a lot of people would be too proud to do that. __________________ *No No!*