This seems wrong: car insurance quoted nearly 1k

[Gunnerbar]

Firstly my gf has just got her car insurance renewal form in the post and has been quoted nearly 1 k. Now this apparently arises from her poor No Cliams Discount (she has been paying around this for at least 2 years).

She bumped into somebody about three years ago causing 170 euro damage and claim unbeknownst to her. This was under company car insurance and when she tried to get car insurance under her name she unwittingly said that she didn't have any claims (because she was never told) and was then told that she was making fraudulant claims and could be prosecuted.

She was then told that her insurance would now be 1, 300 euro because of this undisputed claim. Now whatever about the slanderous comments, can insurance companies hold people to ransom like this or is there some kind of middle ground where one can claim small (say less than 1000 euro) without making ridiculous increases in insurance).

Also on another issue. She recieved in the post her NCD certificate which states that she has a 4 year NCD. Now, she rang the company and was told that she had infact, a 2 years NCD (which tallies with her claim over 2 years ago). Is this certificate her actual NCD (ie the one that her new insurance company will require as the ultimate proof of NCD) or is it open to interpretation.

Thanks.

Edit:
BTW she has been on a full licence since 1991.

 

[ailbhe]

Re: This seems wrong

Few questions in there!

"She bumped into somebody about three years ago causing 170 euro damage and claim unbeknownst to her. This was under company car insurance and when she tried to get car insurance under her name she unwittingly said that she didn't have any claims (because she was never told) and was then told that she was making fraudulant claims and could be prosecuted"

This is true. She would have signed a proposal saying she had no Claims, Accidents, endorsements etc in the last 3 years. She did have an accident which she did not declare.

"She was then told that her insurance would now be 1, 300 euro because of this undisputed claim. Now whatever about the slanderous comments, can insurance companies hold people to ransom like this or is there some kind of middle ground where one can claim small (say less than 1000 euro) without making ridiculous increases in insurance"

As it was a company car she was probably claiming 4 years named on a company policy. Due to the claim she would have had this discount taken from her bringing her back to her 2 years earned bonus and causing the increase in premium.
If her bonus is not protected then any claim, no matter how small (unless it's windscreen) will affect her bonus. You say the damage was only €175 but I would imagine this was to her car and there was possibly a personal injuries claim on the other side. Otherwise her excess would have wiped the claim and she would not have had her NCB affected.


"Also on another issue. She recieved in the post her NCD certificate which states that she has a 4 year NCD. Now, she rang the company and was told that she had infact, a 2 years NCD (which tallies with her claim over 2 years ago). Is this certificate her actual NCD (ie the one that her new insurance company will require as the ultimate proof of NCD) or is it open to interpretation"

She cannot use this bonus. She should request a more up to date bonus from the company as if she uses this bonus with another company it is a case of non disclosure which would mean her policy would not be valid should a claim be made. It is fraud.

Hope that helps.

 

[Gunnerbar]

Re: This seems wrong

Few questions in there!

"She bumped into somebody about three years ago causing 170 euro damage and claim unbeknownst to her. This was under company car insurance and when she tried to get car insurance under her name she unwittingly said that she didn't have any claims (because she was never told) and was then told that she was making fraudulant claims and could be prosecuted"

This is true. She would have signed a proposal saying she had no Claims, Accidents, endorsements etc in the last 3 years. She did have an accident which she did not declare.

"She was then told that her insurance would now be 1, 300 euro because of this undisputed claim. Now whatever about the slanderous comments, can insurance companies hold people to ransom like this or is there some kind of middle ground where one can claim small (say less than 1000 euro) without making ridiculous increases in insurance"

As it was a company car she was probably claiming 4 years named on a company policy. Due to the claim she would have had this discount taken from her bringing her back to her 2 years earned bonus and causing the increase in premium.
If her bonus is not protected then any claim, no matter how small (unless it's windscreen) will affect her bonus. You say the damage was only €175 but I would imagine this was to her car and there was possibly a personal injuries claim on the other side. Otherwise her excess would have wiped the claim and she would not have had her NCB affected.


"Also on another issue. She recieved in the post her NCD certificate which states that she has a 4 year NCD. Now, she rang the company and was told that she had infact, a 2 years NCD (which tallies with her claim over 2 years ago). Is this certificate her actual NCD (ie the one that her new insurance company will require as the ultimate proof of NCD) or is it open to interpretation"

She cannot use this bonus. She should request a more up to date bonus from the company as if she uses this bonus with another company it is a case of non disclosure which would mean her policy would not be valid should a claim be made. It is fraud.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for your detailed reply.