Insurance Co wants copy of driving licence?

fuzzgun19

I've renewed my car insurance through e-car, and they are asking me to provide a copy of the counterpart driving licence, and front & rear of driving licence photo card.

They say my insurance will be declined if I don't provide this within 28days.

I was insured with the same company last year, and they did not ask for this before.

I've not come across this practice before and am wondering if it is safe for me to do this?... They say this is to help reduce fraud and keep premiums low?

lisyloo

It can't be guaranteed to be safe (laptops get lost, rogue staff sell data).
But most likely it will be fine.

If you don't want to do it, then find another insurer but be aware that other insurers might have similar requirements (although I'm not aware it's widespread).

Have you checked reviews for ecar?
They are pretty awful.

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews103920.html

fuzzgun19

Thanks.

I havent checked reviews, just they came out cheapest.

Too late to change now anyway, as if I don't supply the licence, it will be on record that I've had insurance 'refused'.

lisyloo

I would suggest that in future you don't purchase on price alone.
Up to you of course, but cheapest is usually not best in terms of service.
There is usually a trade-off beteween price/service and you have to decide where you want to be, but at the moment your at the bottom in terms of both price AND service.

fuzzgun19

Would it be ok if I black my driver number (or part of it)?

dunstonh

How did the driving licence get to you in the first place?

Why are you concerned now that it is a risk?

lisyloo

It's now going to another organisation (and via the post) then it can be lost, stolen or sold.
However there is a trade-off between living your life and paranoia and I'd just put the copy in the post and take all the usual precautions.

I'd be more worried about the choice of insurer to be honest.

olly300

I normally send copies of documents like that with the word "COPY" across it in large black letters. I am careful to make sure the document can be read though.

BenL

If you had to claim they may ask for the licence before paying out, plus any additional drivers you have named on your policy.

When I have claimed for people running into me I have had to send copies of my licence before any payments have been made to me.

cjgoodsell

Sometimes insurers ask for a copy of the counterpart because they check the DVLA database and they find out there are points/bans not disclosed so to clear it up they want a copy of the licence. If there are not points/ban on there then they dont correct the risk and charge the extra or decline the risk. To me they are just checking before a claim happens so they can decide if you claimed then everything would be fine opposed to start processing the claim then find things not been told then throw the claim which could cost them more money.

The points/ban is a typical scenario I come across where I work so this may not apply to you but its worth asking on why they ask for it.