Is this a rip off - AA new policy loaded for overseas NCB - Long Post

Alan5596

We are returning to UK and need insurance to register our car at the DVLA.


I used Go compare to find a good deal (or so I thought). Now I might be naive in form filling but the question "UK resident from Birth" seemed to me to be asking if I was a UK citizen from birth. I answered yes and the complete list of policies appeared, and I selected AA which were 3rd best as there was the offer of a courtesy car included. I then found that I had to phone the AA to advise them of the registration which was the old one we will get back on registration. I explained it might take a few more days for the No claims Bonus letter (>10 yrs driving) to arrive from overseas.

All seemed OK and the policy arrived at our address in UK where we will live for a little while before buying a house.

My wife phoned today to tell them that the NCB had not yet arrived and since we were traveling to UK on Monday was the cover still OK. She was told that the policy would cost 180 pounds more since the insurer would not accept non UK NCB's and they would have to add extra loading.

I find this incredibly bad service since we already explained where we were living on the initial phone call. Also the actual policy does not show "UK Resident from Birth" but "Driver has been resident in UK for last three years" If the Go Compare question had been "Driver has been resident in UK for last three years" instead of the resident form birth then I would have answered no.

So we are faced with a policy costing 1/3rd more and also another clause she mentioned that passengers will not be insured for loss of limb or death, of which there was no mention previous.

I'm beginning to think the old fashioned go and visit the broker in the office might be the best way in the end.

My main concern is the fact they don't accept the NCB. Does anyone now if that is legal? When we went overseas 7 years ago every company we asked for a quote accepted our UK NCB.

Do we have any case for refund or cancellation or redress?

Grateful for any opinion.

Quentin

Alan5596 wrote: »

Now I might be naive in form filling but the question "UK resident from Birth" seemed to me to be asking if I was a UK citizen from birth. I answered yes.......

There is the answer to your problems!

Don't want to appear flippant, but if you naively interpret questions posed in english the way you want to, then you do need to consider using a broker, (then you will at least have someone else to try and blame should the same thing happen again)!

Alan5596

Fair comment, however why does Go Compare ask the question on residency and the policy copy shows the answer to a different question (Resident in UK for last three years)? Does the Go compare site do a fuzzy search sort of translation for each question?

The main thing that bothers me is the AA statement that they do not recognize that 10yrs + no claims is equivalent to the same UK NCB. I have been abroad for seven years but had full NCB when I left UK and no accidents or claims since, and the company is actually operating in UK too (Allianz).

I spoke with our broker overseas today and was told that many companies in UK accept the oversease NCB in full.

So some questions...

Have I a right to cancel the insurance in full within a certain time period?

Would it be worthwhile contacting the Ombudsman regarding the NCB/D issue?

dunstonh

I find this incredibly bad service since we already explained where we were living on the initial phone call. Also the actual policy does not show "UK Resident from Birth" but "Driver has been resident in UK for last three years" If the Go Compare question had been "Driver has been resident in UK for last three years" instead of the resident form birth then I would have answered no.

I may be reading your post wrong but if the answer to "Driver has been resident in UK for last three years" is no then surely "UK Resident from Birth"" would have to be no as well as "from birth" would include the last 3 years?

ahh, just realised, you are mixing up uk resident and uk citizen and assuming that means the same thing. UK citizen is a UK passport holder (in its simplest definition). UK resident is someone who is living in the UK and classed as a resident.

I'm beginning to think the old fashioned go and visit the broker in the office might be the best way in the end.

Brokers and intermediaries do give you more consumer protection as they are liable for making sure the policy fits your needs. DIY quote portals do not. Hence why they are often cheaper; because you are taking on the liability for getting it right instead of the "seller".

My main concern is the fact they don't accept the NCB. Does anyone now if that is legal?

Insurers can choose to accept it or not. As long as their approach is consistent with everyone then there is no discrimination.

When we went overseas 7 years ago every company we asked for a quote accepted our UK NCB.

UK driving standards are high (although i cringe at saying that when you see what goes on at times!). The data is also easily verifiable. The same cannot be said for many overseas locations.

Do we have any case for refund or cancellation or redress?

If you sought advice from a broker/intermediary and were sold the incorrect product then the answer would be yes. However, as you chose to buy and no-one recommended it to you then the answer is no.

ranger1066

Most insurers also state 'Has NCB been earnt in the UK, within the last 2 years?'. or something along those lines.

anniecave

I would in your circumstances arrange to see an insurance broker (or phone one up) they will be able to suggest a provider for you that will accept your NCB

Or contact providers by phone yourself and find out who will take it.

You will then need to cancel your existing policy and pay any cancellation charges

Otherwise you will lose your no claims bonus if you continue with a provider that doesn't accept your previous one

shelly

ranger1066 wrote: »

Most insurers also state 'Has NCB been earnt in the UK, within the last 2 years?'. or something along those lines.

Do they? I have never been asked or seen this question or any variation of it for either car or bike insurance.