Screentrade - Complete rip off

Shiggaddi

I have just got a new years worth of insurance of screentrade, which wasn't the cheapest, but I got £50 cashback via an incentive site, which did bring it out cheapest.

When they asked how many no claims years I have, I put in their maximum of 9, cos I have 11 years of not having to make a claim, except when someone bumped into my car, and was claimed from the other side, and my NCB was not affected.

The quote came in at £227, and I got my certificate of insurance, and was asked to send in my previous insurance from Morethan, which I did.

I then got a letter from screentrade that "The outstanding premium of £17 has not been paid"

I was a bit shocked, as I had paid in full by credit card, so I called them up (using saynoto0870 by calling their geographic number and not 0845) and asked why they wanted £17.

They said because Morethan would only give me 6 years of No Claims entitlement. I then said that I have had the last 11 years of no claims, but I was then told that unless morethan could provide proof of the 9 years which I filled in on their form, I had to pay this extra charge.

I said that this is discriminating against careful drivers by providing a quote then bumping up the price, and I pointed out that insurance companies share details, why can't you have a look on the database, but was just told that the onus is on me to prove that I'm entitled.

Most insurance companies go up to 5 years, so using their system, very few people can have 9 years no claims.

So basically, because Screentrade only shares information with insurance companies in the event of someone making a claim, to see if they can get out of paying, I'm left with having to pay an extra £17, because they can't be bothered to act on the information that they like to share!!

The lady I spoke to said that it was my fault, and I should have given them the correct information, and checked what I'm entitled to.

So because someone has built up a no claims bonus, sometimes it's worthless. I'd certainly warn anyone else considering screentrade to take account of this "careful drivers surcharge"

Why don't all insurance companies have some common practice of issuing no claims discounts, that can be transferred between providers. They seem to go out their way to find occupations, geographic locations, types of car, age, and annual mileage and use statistics to say "This person is higher risk" and bump up the premium. Is it too much to ask that they use statistics from other insurance companies to establish "Yes this person hasn't claimed for 11 years, let's offer the discount"

But instead they factor it into the price, then bump it up because few insurance companies give any more than 5 years.

Well, I'm off to phone Morethan, but although they only quoted 6 years entitlement, I'm not hopeful they can vouch for anything past this, as I've only been with them for 1 year.

dunstonh

If you want such a persoanlised quote system, then it would be far more expensive as it would require someone to look at each case on an individual basis. Time = money.

Quote portals are often at fault for quotes not turning out accurate. In this case, it appears that the quote portal you used incorrectly gave a discount for 11 years when Screentrade only go upto 6 years.

Shiggaddi

The whole idea, is that someone DID look at my details, so they can assess whether I was quoted correctly.

When I took insurance from Morethan and Norwich Union, they didn't require proof of my no claims, they just said that they share information from other insurers, and if I gave wrong information, it would be picked up when making a claim.

Screentrade on the other hand go up to 9 years, whereas most insurers go up to 5 or 6 years.

Obviously as you stated, someone looks at each individual quote, more time = more money. This is exactly what happened with Screentrade. They required proof, and as someone did look at it, they then got back to me, and said that I had to pay more.

The other route to go down would be for them follow Morethan, and Norwich Union who would gather the information from insurers at the time of a claim.

In the event of a claim, Screentrade could approach my previous insurers, and ask about my no claims entitlement, and by sharing the database, all my previous insurers would vouch that I gave Screentrade correct information when applying for my insurance. However Screentrade find it more profitable to add a "safe drivers surcharge" after giving a competitive quote, and if you can't prove entitlement to avoid it, then you have to pay.

In the meantime, was the next best like for like quote (minus the cashback site payment) less than £17 more, and would it have been the same, if I had selected 6 years no claims. If so, Screentrade have got business they shouldn't have had, and the next best insurer has lost out, because of an uneven playing field.

I actually put all my details on confused.com, and because a cashback site that I visit gives £50 cashback for Screentrade, it made them more competitive than other quotes around the same price, but which offered a lower or no cashback link.

I think my best bet, is to contact some of my old insurers, and hope they're willing to help.

marble

Most insurers are happy to write a letter confirming that you went to them with 6 years, and left 5 years later with 6 years and no claims.

It is not screentrade who is at fault ... you said you had 9 years NCB, but only have proof of 6. Find the proof from NU or Morethan and I'm sure screentrade will happily knock the £17 off.

Al

Shiggaddi

Having been to Screentrade again, they said that if Morethan will provide proof of my 9 years, then they will be happy to allow me the 9 years no claims discount, and also, if previous insurers would write a letter confirming my entitlement.

Morethan would only confirm the 6 years. I contacted Eagle Star who would be able to confirm 7 years, but I left them just over a year ago, that means 8 years.

Norwich Union were not quite so helpful, they said they would only confirm the 5 years!! This was despite joining them with 5 years, and being with them 2 years claim free. The Indian didn't understand what I was saying either, but we'll see what the letter says when it arrives.

Prudential has a policy of not issuing proof of no claims for customers who left over 2 years ago!!

Prudential also went on to say, that if I were to come to them as a new customer, they only require 5 years proof for maximum no claims.

Looks like I'm stuck with 8 years, which is still better than the 6 which the £17 is based on, and depending on the wording of the NU letter, I might get the full 9 years!!

Looks like this 9 years no claims discount is a very exclusive club, and Screentrade knows that. In theory you can only join this club by being with Screentrade for a few years, as hardely any other insurers will vouch for anything past 5 years.

BenL

I've just change my insurance from Prudential to Privilege.

I have 6 years ncd at the moment but notice that Privilege only go to 5 years on their quotes.

I had to send off my proof to them. I've written them a letter for them to send my proof back for next year when I switch to someone else with 7 years and not the 5 they will put on their renewal docs.

My proof hasn't been returned yet. I guess they will not comply but they may surprise me yet.

Ben

Shiggaddi

I had to send off my proof to them. I've written them a letter for them to send my proof back for next year when I switch to someone else with 7 years and not the 5 they will put on their renewal docs.

Keep your letter from Prudential, which confirms your 6 years, or if you sent it to Privilege, ask the Pru for another one.

Then next year when Privilege confirm their 5 years you can then go back further with the letter from Prudential, if you need any more than 5 years proof.

Make sure you keep all those old documents, with your insurance, just incase you need to use them. I will be asking Screentrade to confirm my no claims when I leave them next year (After all they only provided a competitive quote because I was getting £50 cashback) and then asking insurers in subsequent years for the same.

This is all dependent on continued safe driving of course!!

rdwarr

My last Tesco renewal explicitly stated nine years NCB. Obviously depends on the company!