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Hi all!

This is my first post here as I'm seeking out some answers I can't find elsewhere! I've just been given a weekly motoring column on my local regional paper which is great as it'll be a great way to get into motor journalism and get to know more about how the industry works. However, there's a question that needs clarifying for me before I accept this job. Insurance.

I'm 21 and currently a named driver to avoid a massive insurance quote (cheeky, I know) whilst my Dad is the policy holder. As I will be test-driving other cars, how do I go about the insurance? Is it supplied by the dealer/manufacturer? Do I need to go to a specialist company for insurance?

I'm assuming I don't have the usual comprehensive cover from someone like Norwich Union as I'll have no particular car to insure!

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks :)

Advice?

You should never......no...Always double check your facts.

Somebody did a local paper column on these fora pages a few years back..........

 Care to elaborate!?

congratulations!

am sure somebody can advise but I'm aware of some special policy for motoring journalists so you don't have to get cover for each car.  but can't help you with where you get it from....

am sure somebody from Autocar can advise, or you could ask the newspaper - they must have dealt with this before.

they may even pay for it.... especially as you are getting it because of your job. and if your not staff, it will be tax deductable.

Congratulations Ben!

In my 3 years in the motor trade, the manufacturer/promotor will always insure the car, always check though, insurance is an absolute law, you either have it or you don't.

 Best wishes

Thanks Fake Elvis (never thought I'd say that!)

As this is my first column, I don't know how the finer points like this work.

So you say that most manufacturers cover you with their own insurance but best to check?

benweston:

So you say that most manufacturers cover you with their own insurance but best to check?

Yes, you normally have to sign a declaration/form type thing before taking the keys, if in doubt ask before driving!

Larger companies Ford etc are self insured so its not as though they have to add you to a specific policy, just as long as you meet their criteria (over 25, points etc...)

Hope this helps...

It does help, thanks!

This was actually one of my concerns as I'm 21. I hope I'm not refused too many test drives by people thinking I'm some boy racer who's going to do burn-outs in the supermarket car park!

There must be other guys my age doing this too.

I think that you should be fine with your age, so long as your reviews are about the new Fiesta and not the new 911 :)

Not quite sure about the burn-outs, certain journos have made a living from them!

Haha yes, I think I'll be reviewing cars such as the Vauxhall Agila, Ford Kuga, etc due to the demographic of the paper! Thanks for all your advice, it's great to hear from someone in the industry!

There's one last thing I'd like to know. When I was working on a technology review site, it was a simple process of contacting the PR departments, providing a few statistics re the site and arranging what I'd like to test.

Could it really be just as simple for arranging a test drive of a car?

Can't help with any advice about insurance etc., but well done, absolute best of luck, and if you want it, hope this is the beginning of a long, illustrious career as a car journo.  

benweston:

Hi all!

This is my first post here as I'm seeking out some answers I can't find elsewhere! I've just been given a weekly motoring column on my local regional paper which is great as it'll be a great way to get into motor journalism and get to know more about how the industry works. However, there's a question that needs clarifying for me before I accept this job. Insurance.

I'm 21 and currently a named driver to avoid a massive insurance quote (cheeky, I know) whilst my Dad is the policy holder. As I will be test-driving other cars, how do I go about the insurance? Is it supplied by the dealer/manufacturer? Do I need to go to a specialist company for insurance?

I'm assuming I don't have the usual comprehensive cover from someone like Norwich Union as I'll have no particular car to insure!

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks :)

What a totally useless article this will turn out to be.

You clearly were not selected for this role based upon your experience as a driver or a journalist. Can you tell me which paper it is so I might avoid the nonsense you are likely to write?

The best advice anyone could give you is to get a job as a runner in the specialist press surrounding the motor industry and take it from there before worrying about whether you have insurance or not. Why on earth would anyone here know the answer to that if you've not had the sense to find it out for yourself before you undertake the role.

Am I alone in finding this an utterly pointless and laughable post?

And before anyone starts - read the original post again - what a complete load of shite. Probably lives in Norfolk and drives a diesel Corsa with a baseball cap at a stupid angle.