My mistake, but can I get out of it?

Red_Elle

Don't know if anyone is able to help, but I'd appreciate it.

I had my car insurance renewal form back recently and started to call around to get more competitive quotes. It was then that I realised that they were all asking about fixed penalties and such like.
Until then I didn't realise you had to let your insurer know about any penalties, as I got my first one in 10 years a few months back and have never had to deal with it before.

Anyway, as my insurance is up for renewal in a few days, I didn't bother calling my current insurer to let them know. I did however call Barclays, got a quote which wasn't as good as the renewal quote and therefore qualified for the £50 plus matched quote.

When I did this over the phone they said I would need to send in proof of my renewal quote, which is obviously fair enough. Just realised today whilst driving into work, that the renewal quote won't have the fixed penalty on it, so the quote is inaccurate really. They say it is okay to send photocopies through to them. The fixed penalty info is on the back page, the main info (my name, address, car renewal date, amount, registration, type of cover, no claims, excess) is on the front.

Do you think I can get away with a photocopy of the front page or will they want the back too? The back is relating to my declarations - about the car, the named drivers, motor convictions etc.

Really not sure what to do, as I have already taken out the cover with Barclays and it starts on the 25th Feb.

This was entirely unintential and my own stupidity. I have just had the letter with the details from Barclays saying to send the renewal policy 'with details of your current cover and premium' in the enclosed envelope. It does not mention requiring other info. If they do not receive it, they will amend the amount to the original quote by the, (over a £100 more than most providers!)

My options it seems are to send back the top sheet and hope for the best, or contact the people who issued the renewal, go through a quote again and then call Barclays to explain my error. Will the renewal quoters be happy to send me a renewal letter though, purely so that I can get a better deal elsewhere? It's not like I can pretend I am considering their quote, as I need to get it sorted by tomorrow at the latest.

Has anyone had any experience with sending the info back to Barclays, what did you send and was it okay?

Thanks to anyone who can help

derrick

You need to disclose all relevant info to any ins company, your insurance will be invalid if you don't. They will use any reason/excuse not to pay out on a claim and you won't be insured by not disclosing, (more points if caught and a criminal conviction,maybe prison) it is not worth not disclosing.

Red_Elle

The point is not that I don't want to disclose the information - that would be insurance fraud and not something I fancy doing
I maybe didn't explain properly - I have disclosed the fine to Barclays (was only a 3 point/£60 fine). The point is, because I didn't realise until a few days ago that I needed to tell my insurer that I had a penalty, the renewal quote has come through minus penalty info.
Barclays have matched that quote and given me £50 as they could not beat it. My insurance with Barclays will be fully above board, but they have matched on a quote that is incorrect.

SkippyB

Red Elle....

The quote is fine...if you got your Fixed Penalty Notice which I presume is 3 points then you would only have declared it on this years insurance not phoned them when it came through the post...

I am not aware of any company that penalises for one set of 3 points as nearly everyone has them these days because of Speed Cameras etc.....

If you feel that worried phone your current insurers and tell them...see what the quote is then?

Red_Elle

Thanks Skippy - that is what I wanted to hear, but not sure if it's true. From what I have heard, as soon as you get points (yes it was 3) you are supposed to inform your insurer - anyone in insurance know if that's true??

The main concern really is that insurance companies will do anything to get out of giving you money. I know it won't invalidate my insurance with Barclays, but the quote was supposed to be like for like and it wasn't really. I would have thought they would say "you should have called the renewal providers, let them know you now have points, requested a new renewal quote and then approached us to try and beat it. As you didn't, you will have to pay the original quote that we gave you and forgo the £50.

exil

Before you knew about informing the insurers about getting a penalty - you did nothing wrong.

You have told Barclays about the fine. The point you're making is a little bit technical, but you could put your mind at rest by telling your current insurers and then asking if this makes a difference to the renewal. If it does, tell Barclays. They will probably not bother about it - they have got your business after all!

Red_Elle

Thanks - that's a very good point. I think that I will call the current insurers and ask if the points make a difference to the renewal quote. If they do, then I will ask them to get the best price for me and fax the quote over tomorrow. Then I can call Barclays and let them know that I made a mistake in good faith and just want to be honest about it.
I think I might be able to get away with it by just sending the front page, but if I don't it will be too late to sort out.
Thanks for everyone's input :T