NCD Bonus Accel - First year driving

shaneshaneshane

Hi all, I passed my test April 6th 2008, went with Bell insurance on the 10 month bonus accel (the next day, so insurance started April 7th 2008), therefore my renewal is on Feb 7th.

I understand that I will get documents through saying 1 years no claims if I choose to go elsewhere - that is fine BUT, What shall I do about my driving experience? Technically it is only 10 months driving but the majority of places only do driving experience in years, therefore, leaving a huge price gap between the two (talking £400 quid here), where neither would be accurate.

What should I do? Would Stating one years driving experience be ok? or will I have to, in my opinion, unfairly bite the bullet and do 0 years experience? Could I call the insurance company up after two more months and adjust the policy to one years driving experience and get a bit of a refund?

Thanks guys and girls

flutterbyuk25

The 'accelerated' No Claims is usually only recognised by the company that you have been with, or perhaps one of it's sister companies.


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flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

The 'accelerated' No Claims is usually only recognised by the company that you have been with, or perhaps one of it's sister companies.

To my knowledge, this isn't true, and doesn't really answer the OP's question(s).

As for calling up after two months, insurance doesn't normally work like that. You don't get money back on your birthday, you don't get money back when a speeding offence becomes another year older or your vehicle becomes another year older.

Again, it's probably best to speak to the insurers you're getting quotes from, you might be able to negotiate something better in person than putting incorrect information into an insurance website.

anniecave

I think the option is actually 0-1 year, 1-2 years etc. So If you are filling in websites, go with the correct option which is 0-1 years. Then I would pick your lowest quotes and phone them up and check this would be the correct answer.

If you get a better quote elswewhere, Bell may offer to match it if you phone them up and ask! They may also offer to price match if you get better quotes from their sister companies (elephant.co.uk is one, I can't recall the others - anything part of Admiral group)

anniecave

oh and renewal is normally one month before. some companies will quote two months in advance but most won't.

olly300

OP Bell do automatic renew on their insurance so I strongly suggest if you don't want to auto-renew you write a letter with the title "Formal Complaint" sending into to their complaints address by recorded delivery stating that it's a breach of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 to force you to auto-renew as you don't wish to tomorrow.

Complaints take about 8 weeks to sort out so don't leave it until your insurance runs out as you will have auto-renewed and then have to fight to get your money back.

Then I would look at quotes 30-28 days before your old insurance expires online and see what you get quoted.

I actually found unlike what anniecave said lots of insurers use years and months for everything like experience, time owning car and time spent in the UK. So you need to check whether if you put in 10 months of a Full Driving Licence and 1 year's no claims whether you get a cheaper quote then staying with Bell and is it's sister companies.

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olly300 wrote: »

OP Bell do automatic renew on their insurance so I strongly suggest if you don't want to auto-renew you write a letter with the title "Formal Complaint" sending into to their complaints address by recorded delivery stating that it's a breach of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 to force you to auto-renew as you don't wish to tomorrow.

Good grief.

Or you could give them a ring and ask them not to auto-renew your policy.

(y)

dunstonh

To my knowledge, this isn't true, and doesn't really answer the OP's question(s).

Technically it is correct. Many other companies do not recognise accelerated years but still use calender years. Some of the accelerated plans have put the calender years on their proof of no claims.

However, there are some people that have been successful in getting it accepted as well as those that are not. So, a bit of pot luck really.

anniecave

olly300 wrote: »

I actually found unlike what anniecave said lots of insurers use years and months for everything like experience, time owning car and time spent in the UK. So you need to check whether if you put in 10 months of a Full Driving Licence and 1 year's no claims whether you get a cheaper quote then staying with Bell and is it's sister companies.

I'll agree, some websites are definately more specific than others. It just depends on the website.

Sometimes the detail works in your favour, sometimes it doesn't!

My current provider doesn't mind what proportion of my mileage is business and what is personal. My previous insurer wanted an exact split and I then felt obliged to tell them if coming towards the end of the year it was likely to be different!

olly300

Quote wrote: »

Good grief.

Or you could give them a ring and ask them not to auto-renew your policy.

(y)

And then you can find like some other posters here that they ignore your instructions.

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My point is that the OP should probably react to what happens, rather than react to something which hasn't happened, and give them a call.

I don't necessarily believe everything I read.