Undisclosed Claim on Car Insurance

or8it

I've just found out that my insurance company is charging me an extra £10 a month. When I phoned to enquire why they stated I had an undisclosed claim. I questioned this so they looked into it deeper. They came back to say my wife had made a non fault claim in August 2007 (my wife is a named driver on my policy). I firstly couldn't remember what this accident was, I was at work and didn't have any details to hand. When I did get to speak to my wife this evening she reminded me what it was. Two years ago she was in a supermarket carpark in her car (not mine) and was reversed into by a 4x4. The other driver claimed full responsibility and a claim was made on that drivers insurance. At no time was a claim made on my wife's insurance or my insurance.

Therefore is it even relevant that this claim should be held against me? It seems unfair that I'm now going to have to pay over £100 due to a claim my wife made on someone else's insurance. This claim didn't effect my policy last year or my wife's and it hasn't effected her policy this year either.

Any thoughts?

PNPSUKNET

none fault claims always accept a persons policy for x3 -5 years dependant on company as a claim was made

Quentin

or8it wrote: »

At no time was a claim made on my wife's insurance or my insurance. Therefore is it even relevant that this claim should be held against me?

When you applied to add your wife as a named driver you will have been asked about her claims history, and must have (incorrectly) answered "none". When answering these questions, they normally want details of all driving incidents whether or not a claim ensues, but in this case there was a claim made.

The incident is relevant, and is only indirectly being "held against" you. You can avoid the matter by not having your wife on the policy!

shelly

or8it wrote: »

This claim didn't effect my policy last year or my wife's and it hasn't effected her policy this year either.

Was/has the claim been declared last year and this year? If not then that's why the policies haven't been affected.

Personally I'd have to call the ins co's and get this claim declared because I would be worried that in the event of a claim it could all get ugly when/if this previous claim comes to light.

or8it

We informed my wife's insurance company but as no claim was made through them they seemed uninterested and her policy remained unchanged the following year. Admittedly I have made a mistake in not putting this claim on. I had forgotten all about, it was only a relatively minor bump and the other drivers insurance company got it repaired quickly and without fuss. What I do feel is unfair that for a non fault claim I am being charged £125. This is 50% of the total premium. If my wife had caused an accident and claimed on her insurance and other people had claimed on her insurance than fair enough, I'd expect to pay a hefty premium.

As to removing my wife from the policy this is really a non starter, we need access to both our cars.

Quentin

or8it wrote: »

What I do feel is unfair that for a non fault claim I am being charged £125.

The £125 you are being charged isn't purely the charge "for a non fault claim".

Part of this £125 is "self inflicted".

As this claim wasn't declared at the start of the policy, then it will be considered a "change", and you will be paying an admin charge to make the change. Additionally you are paying by instalments, so presumably some of the £125 is interest.

Had you declared the claim when shopping around, then your current insurer might not have been as competitive then as others, and you might have got cover at a cheaper premium elsewhere.

pastra

If you want to challenge your insurance company about the charge, you will need to approach them with a reasonable argument. Go to there own web site and do 2 quotes with the same details, one quote with the claim noted and another without. If there is £100 difference you cant complain, however I would be very surprised that for a non fault claim there would be any difference in a new business premium.. Once you can see how there underwriting criteria and pricing works, you can call and ask for your premium to be reviewed. There is no way they are going to be loading policies 50% for non fault claims.

dunstonh

however I would be very surprised that for a non fault claim there would be any difference in a new business premium..

Often there is a small difference as people who have had claims, even non fault, are statistically likely to suffer another one in quick sucession.

£125 sounds a big difference though. I wonder if part of it is catch up, part of it is amendment charge and part of it interest.

or8it

pastra wrote: »

If you want to challenge your insurance company about the charge, you will need to approach them with a reasonable argument. Go to there own web site and do 2 quotes with the same details, one quote with the claim noted and another without. If there is £100 difference you cant complain, however I would be very surprised that for a non fault claim there would be any difference in a new business premium.. Once you can see how there underwriting criteria and pricing works, you can call and ask for your premium to be reviewed. There is no way they are going to be loading policies 50% for non fault claims.

Carried out two quotes as you suggested and theres about £40 difference. Add on an ammendment fee I think the total should be about £70. Obviously because I'm paying monthly they'll add a credit charge so lets say the difference is £90. I think therefore I've been overcharged about £35. Will phone them and see what they say.

dunstonh

Have you included the period you need to catch up on? i.e. you have been paying monthly at a lower rate. You need to catch up with what you owe.

or8it

OK, phoned the insurance company and it's all sorted. I have made a mistake. I have been calculating the figure over 12 months when I should of been calculating by 11 payments:doh:!

Sorry everyone but thanks for all your help and comments.