Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 03:08
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - Yuria

Hi Folks,

It’s that time again, which I loath unequivocally , to search for car insurance in the hopes I land myself a quote that doesn’t cost the earth. In light of this, please can I ask if you can help me in answering a few questions I have.

  • I am one of the those unfortunate people that has to reapply for license renewal every year. You try to do things abiding by the law and you get shafted. A few years ago, in my infinite wisdom, I informed the DVLA regarding meds I was taking and wham they slap me as having a drinking problem and now have to go through the absolute s*** show of reapplying every year. The issue comes when I apply for insurance. My current insurance ends early next month. My license runs out at the end of the month. Do I have to declare this with the insurers? I have already sent off my DVLA renewal application a few weeks ago. No doubt, I’m going to have to do a DVLA medical. From experience waiting for license issuance with the DVLA will take me past the date when my license runs out - I will thereafter be driving under Section 33. Again will I have to inform my insurer of this?

  • Regarding NCB. I was under the impression that every time you renew your license you lose your NCB. Is this true? On the same subject, I didn’t drive for close to 2 years. Will my NCB accrued be voided?

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Edited by Yuria on 14/06/2025 at 03:09

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 05:03
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - Orb>>.

You will not lose your NCB every time you renew your licence.

But be totally honest with the insurance company.

They are the best to ask about retaining the NCB if not driving for an extended period.

When you inform DVLA it's there forever... It's olaw. You are not being shafted.

Question.. did you copy or cut and paste your questions from a document or blog?

Edited by Orb>>. on 14/06/2025 at 05:10

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 06:35
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - RT

I've been through something similar - it seems that if you declare an unrelated medical issue and simply drink more than the NHS guidelines, you're treated the same as a repeat drink driver during the licence re-application.

I don't know if it's standard but I reverted to 3-yearly renewals after 5 years of annual renewing (I'm over 70 so 3 years is normal) - despite my serious medical condition merely remaining stable.

All I can suggest is that you try all the comparison sites and all the insurers who don't use comparison sites - there is no single best company as they all target different demographics.

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 09:32
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - Bromptonaut

Issues like this where customer doesn't fit the 'template' are where a good broker is a godsend.

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 09:32
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - Maxime.

As an interested party. Someone who lost a brother through a "functioning alcoholic" who drove while on medication to "assist" with that persons problems and they critically injured a family member who needs lifelong care.

Anyone who is in the above circumstances should not be allowed to drive till they are clear for at least 5 years, and then have an alcolock fitted to the car.

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 09:59
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - RT

As an interested party. Someone who lost a brother through a "functioning alcoholic" who drove while on medication to "assist" with that persons problems and they critically injured a family member who needs lifelong care.

Anyone who is in the above circumstances should not be allowed to drive till they are clear for at least 5 years, and then have an alcolock fitted to the car.

DVLA and Criminal Courts may have a different view of alcoholics - if someone drives while over the drink-drive limit, the courts rightly punish them - DVLA takes no notice of one such occurrence but imposes a medical examination on anyone convicted twice, or more, of drink driving - DVLA imposes the same medical examination on anyone with an unrelated condition who also drinks more than the NHS guidelines of 14 units/week even if they NEVER drive while over the drink-drive limit.

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 10:47
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - galileo

As an interested party. Someone who lost a brother through a "functioning alcoholic" who drove while on medication to "assist" with that persons problems and they critically injured a family member who needs lifelong care.

Anyone who is in the above circumstances should not be allowed to drive till they are clear for at least 5 years, and then have an alcolock fitted to the car.

DVLA and Criminal Courts may have a different view of alcoholics - if someone drives while over the drink-drive limit, the courts rightly punish them - DVLA takes no notice of one such occurrence but imposes a medical examination on anyone convicted twice, or more, of drink driving - DVLA imposes the same medical examination on anyone with an unrelated condition who also drinks more than the NHS guidelines of 14 units/week even if they NEVER drive while over the drink-drive limit.

How would DVLA know someone drinks more than 14 units a week? ( just curious, I don't drink at all and haven't for 20 years)

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 13:48
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - RT

As an interested party. Someone who lost a brother through a "functioning alcoholic" who drove while on medication to "assist" with that persons problems and they critically injured a family member who needs lifelong care.

Anyone who is in the above circumstances should not be allowed to drive till they are clear for at least 5 years, and then have an alcolock fitted to the car.

DVLA and Criminal Courts may have a different view of alcoholics - if someone drives while over the drink-drive limit, the courts rightly punish them - DVLA takes no notice of one such occurrence but imposes a medical examination on anyone convicted twice, or more, of drink driving - DVLA imposes the same medical examination on anyone with an unrelated condition who also drinks more than the NHS guidelines of 14 units/week even if they NEVER drive while over the drink-drive limit.

How would DVLA know someone drinks more than 14 units a week? ( just curious, I don't drink at all and haven't for 20 years)

It's included in consultant's reports if you have an unrelated medical condition that needs notifying to DVLA - of course you can lie when doctors ask how much alcohol you consume a week on average.

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 09:59
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - Orb>>.

As an interested party. Someone who lost a brother through a "functioning alcoholic" who drove while on medication to "assist" with that persons problems and they critically injured a family member who needs lifelong care.

Anyone who is in the above circumstances should not be allowed to drive till they are clear for at least 5 years, and then have an alcolock fitted to the car.

Reading this as someone who lost a nephew killed by a serial drug addict and alcoholic (often both at the same time) I have to say I agree.

5 years clear plus alcolock device.

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 11:55
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - Brit_in_Germany

Why not make such a device mandatory for all vehicles? And while you're at it automatic speed limiting in urban areas.

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 12:01
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - Orb>>.

Why not make such a device mandatory for all vehicles? And while you're at it automatic speed limiting in urban areas.

Personally, I would not be bothered about it as we both have a ZERO alcohol intake rule if driving.

As for automatic speed limiting, that will come with connected cars that won't exceed a speed limit. a lot of the tech is already there.

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Sat 14 Jun 2025 13:19
Advice Needed: New Insurance and NCB Woes - Maxime.

It is an emotional topic isn't it, The right to drive, (without feeling shafted against the DVLA and the Law who hold ultimate power to protect ) and also other conditions which can potentially cause harm/death to other people on or around roads.

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