During the course of the last few years, my husband and I have managed to acquire a car and a new scooter. We sold our old scooter and thus only have the two vehicles. The problem is that DMV seems unable to put the scooter in more than one name. As I understand it, insurance will only cover the driver if s/he is driving at the time of an accident or whatnot, and the insurance is only valid for the name shown on the registration. (Please, correct me if I’m wrong here… unfortunately my Chinese is quite lacking)
Usually I drive the scooter and he drives the car. When we take either of the vehicles as a couple, my husband drives, and sometimes we swap if it’s going to be more convenient; neither of us wishes to be allowed to drive only one of the vehicles, but we both want to be covered if something unforseen happens.
Does anyone know if it’s possible to have a secondary driver added onto one’s insurance? If so, how is this done, and is it operated through the insurance company or the DMV?
[quote=“nemesis”]As I understand it, insurance will only cover the driver if s/he is driving at the time of an accident or whatnot, and the insurance is only valid for the name shown on the registration. (Please, correct me if I’m wrong here… unfortunately my Chinese is quite lacking).[/quote]I’m pretty sure that the insurance covers anyone driving the vehicle, as long as he/she has a proper license and has permission from the vehicle owner.
Thanks, guys. Do we need to show written permission or should proof of marriage or verbal consent be sufficient?
(The reason I ask is that when I got a ticket while driving the hubby’s scooter a few years back, they also sent him a ticket with the explanation that it had to be paid twice since the offender wasn’t the driver. He had to sign paperwork stating that I had taken it WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION and they finally dropped the fine. They insisted that I had to drive MY scooter, which was at the mechanic’s at the time.)
[quote=“nemesis”]Thanks, guys. Do we need to show written permission or should proof of marriage or verbal consent be sufficient?
(The reason I ask is that when I got a ticket while driving the hubby’s scooter a few years back, they also sent him a ticket with the explanation that it had to be paid twice since the offender wasn’t the driver. He had to sign paperwork stating that I had taken it WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION and they finally dropped the fine. They insisted that I had to drive MY scooter, which was at the mechanic’s at the time.)[/quote]How ridiculous. I think that was just a one-off. I’ve never heard of that before.
I think verbal consent is normally fine. If you get stopped by the police, you’re normally supposed to show the blue vehicle registration card, so showing that in itself is some kind of proof of permission. However, if you want to protect yourself against the possibility of another fluke case in the future, it would be easy enough for your husband to write and sign a piece of paper saying “I give my wife permission to drive vehicle XXXXXXXX at any time she wants.”
Taiwan insures the vehicle, not the individual. Which is why most Taiwan families buy the insurance under whoever’s name works out cheapest even if they don’t drive.
I think the safest way is to get personal insurance for damage to third parties … Insures you whatever you’re doing, driving, walking, sporting, anything … I forgot how it’s actually called
Basic third party cover applies to any driver or rider who isn’t the owner, however additional coverage will be affected, and may not apply to anyone other than the owner. Damage to a third party or vehicle then may not be covered by the insurance. Standard third party coverage in Taiwan only covers the third person and not a single vehicle. It is a silly basic requirement that doesn’t cover a third party vehicle and this is why there are so many hit and runs in Taiwan. It’s best to take out additional insurance just in case you hit someone’s expensive car or forbid you manage to write one off entirely, then you would be right down the creek with no paddle. For an additional few hundred NT for a scooter and a couple of thousand for a car you can up the insurance coverage to include third parties to a higher claim and insure their vehicle against damage while you are at it. For the sake of a couple of thousand NT more, it is simply worth it.