Cover query What level of cover does an insured driver get to drive other vehicles under his own policy? That's the question asked by Terry Pattison: "Almost every policy cert lists the cover as: 'A: the insured vehicle' and 'B: any other vehicle not owned by the insured, as long as it is not being used for hire or reward'."
Mr Pattison wants to know can he drive it under the "any other vehicle" provision and what level of cover he would have?
Michael Horan of the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) says that, provided the person has permission from the owner of the vehicle to drive it, many policies cover the driver for third party insurance on other vehicles, though not for theft or any damage done to it while in their possession. He suggests that anyone in doubt check their insurance certificate and policy and if in doubt should contact their insurance company.
Proton plea II
Follwing last week's plea from Proton owner James Delahunt for information on parts for his car, Nigel McHugh asks whether Proton was not just an early model Mitsubishi Lancer made under licence in Malaysia? If so, the parts may be interchangeable.
Indeed, the first models to come of the Proton production line in Malaysia back in 1983 were in effect Lancers made under licence. Since then Proton has gone on to design and build its own cars, thanks in part to its controlling interest in British manufacturer Lotus. Indeed, Proton announced on Monday it will start producing its own engines this year.
Unfortunately Mitsubishi here says that its system does not recognise the Proton parts and there may well be slight differences so it would be a slow and rather hit-and-miss process.
However, the good news is that Kevin Farrell of Proton dealer Derrygonnelly Autos in Co Fermanagh says he has parts for the car, and can cater for Proton customers in the Republic.
Testing times
Tom Doherty of Dublin 9 asks why his wife's 1998 registered Fiat Punto was called for an NCT whilst colleagues with 1997 registered cars have not received a call to take the test. Samantha Breen of NCT tells us that this year they are testing cars registered in 1997 and 1998, along with those due a second test.
Cars first registered during these two years are being called in order of the month they were first registered. Therefore, whether it's registered in either 1997 or 1998, if Mr Doherty's wife first registered the vehicle in May 1998 they will be tested before the neighbour's August 1997 registered car, for example.The rules for NCT have been changed since its introduction in 2000 to avoid testers being overloaded.
Hyde's Chrysler
Following our piece on former President Sean T O'Kelly's Dodge, Rowan Collins from Slane, Co Meath, has written to us with a query about the State's first president, Douglas Hyde, and his mode of transport.
Dr Hyde drove a long black Chrysler originally owned by Mr Collins' grandfather, Edward Donaghy of Drogheda. It was purchased in 1937 from FM Summerfield's of Baggot Street Dublin.
When petrol rationing was introduced the car was put up on blocks until it was finally purchased by the Government in 1939.
It then became a common feature on Pathe Newsreels. Mr Collins wonders whatever happened to the Chrysler.
On the similar note, Roger Brown writes with reference to another former president, Eamon de Valera, owning a Packard.
While on holiday in Ireland he came across two long-abandoned Packards, one dating back to the 1930/1940s and the other - a Clipper - to the 1940/1950s.
"From memory the earlier one had a distinctive number plate - something like Z 1000. He asks if these cars could have some connection with the late President?"
According to Jim Cullen, an authority in this area, there were plenty of Packards in Dublin at the time, commonly used as taxis. However, if anyone has any further information they can e-mail us.