Please can someone help with backdated Car Insurance Dispute?

beth11

Hello, I was wondering if someone could possibly help as I had a bit of a shock phone call earlier on today.

Let me explain the situation. I've been with Diamond car insurance for about 4 or five years. I've always kept them up to date with address changes, and as far as I was aware, the one speeding ticket I once got.

I've always looked around for quotes everytime my renewal was up, and they've always been cheapest. However, this year Sheila's Wheels proved to be cheapest. So, I rang at the weekend to tell them I wasn't going to renew my policy. However, after going through all of my details to see how cheap they could make the policy, it still worked out slightly more expensive. They said to double check the details with Sheila's Wheels. I did this and decided to definitely cancel. Therefore, I rang back today to cancel. However, they said to go through it one more time. I did all this and it still worked out more expensive.

HOWEVER, the lady also said that my speeding ticket from 2005 wasn't on there (it was only 3 points and a small fine). I said that I was pretty sure I'd told them about it when I'd renewed after it had happened. However, she said because I didn't that, even if I didn't renew my policy tomorrow (when it expires) I now owe them an extra £479 for the last three years when they hadn't included this!!

Can someone please offer me some advice? Please! i have never tried to lie to them so as far I was aware I thought I'd told them. I am 80-90% sure but have no written proof and the calls would have been years ago. If I'd been trying to hide anything I wouldn't have mentioned it on the phone!

So, can they backdate this? Is there anything I can do? I'm an honest person, but also on a debt management program, so really worried about it.

Thanks ever so much,
Beth

tinkerbell84

Yes they can. Do you have your renewal docs for the past few years? Points are stated on the schedule

beth11

Hi, thanks for the reply. The points aren't listed on there as it's automatically been renewed every year. However, I'm so, so certain I told them about this over the phone when my insurance was up for renewal after it happened.
I know that they can't be infallible as when I checked the schedule it had my mum listed as a man! So hopefully they will be able ot find the phone records.

Thanks!

Quentin

The phone records are superceded by the documentation which you are asked to check on receipt!

(Which is what happened when you checked and found the wrong sex shown for your Mum)

tinkerbell84

beth11 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the reply. The points aren't listed on there as it's automatically been renewed every year. However, I'm so, so certain I told them about this over the phone when my insurance was up for renewal after it happened.
I know that they can't be infallible as when I checked the schedule it had my mum listed as a man! So hopefully they will be able ot find the phone records.

Thanks!

If it wasn't on the schedule, they didn't know about it. Looks like they are in the right, I'm afraid.

honeypop

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

Yes they can. Do you have your renewal docs for the past few years? Points are stated on the schedule

I have had 3 points from speeding since 2005 and they have never appeared on my schedules when I have insured the car each year since, each time with a different insurer. I always call to check they have noted it, as I'm paranoid something like this will happen and I'll end up paying more afterwards, but they always say yes we've taken that into account. It's just not on the schedule. Should it be the case that 100% of the time, they should be noted there? Or do some insurers not?

beth11

Hi, first off, thanks for all of these replies. Although not great news, it's all helpful.
Just so you knonw, I only checked the schedules last night after all this happened. However, at the time of renewal I've got lots of other saved quotes from other companies that include the points. I'm so, so sure that Diamond were aware as I was only getting other quotes to compare like for like.I would have swapped if I'd known they weren't including the points in their quote. Is there anything I can do to try and prove this does anyone know?
Thanks,
Beth

Quentin

On the schedule they send each year it will name the drivers and list any prosecutions/points or accidents against each name. (Or say something like "no convictions").

If yours do say something like that, then you are a bit stuck!

tinkerbell84

honeypop wrote: »

I have had 3 points from speeding since 2005 and they have never appeared on my schedules when I have insured the car each year since, each time with a different insurer. I always call to check they have noted it, as I'm paranoid something like this will happen and I'll end up paying more afterwards, but they always say yes we've taken that into account. It's just not on the schedule. Should it be the case that 100% of the time, they should be noted there? Or do some insurers not?

I was referring to Diamond (and the other 'Admiral' companies - Bell and Elephant do it too)

tinkerbell84

beth11 wrote: »

Hi, first off, thanks for all of these replies. Although not great news, it's all helpful.
Just so you knonw, I only checked the schedules last night after all this happened. However, at the time of renewal I've got lots of other saved quotes from other companies that include the points. I'm so, so sure that Diamond were aware as I was only getting other quotes to compare like for like.I would have swapped if I'd known they weren't including the points in their quote. Is there anything I can do to try and prove this does anyone know?
Thanks,
Beth

Diamond wouldn't know you'd had other quotes with other companies

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

beth11 wrote: »

.....However, I'm so, so certain I told them about this over the phone when my insurance was up for renewal ......

as aside to your current problem, you are obliged to inform your insurance company as soon as you get the points, not at the next renewal in any case.... sounds like its quite possible you didnt tell them as i believe Diamond auto renew so if you never beat their renewal there would be no need to speak..

Had you made the special effort to call and inform them i'm sure you would remember being specifically told that your premium was not affected...