"Peoples Choice" Insurance (of Bexhill) are uncontactable

nottseagull

I'm stuck at my mother's in Cheshire as I've bought her car but can't contact my old insurer Peoples Choice (whose parent company is Hastings Insurance Services Ltd) as their telephone no. is "invalid" and the website's been down for days, also they haven't replied to Saturday's emails.
http://www.quotesearch.co.uk/peoples-choice-car-insurance/
I have to use this insurer as my maximum NCD (9 years) is too old for other companies to honour (3 years 3 months). Indeed, even their sister companies (Hastings Direct and www.insure.co.uk) won't!
Does anyone know what is going on with this outfit?, or have any suggestions?

raskazz

nottseagull wrote: »

I'm stuck at my mother's in Cheshire as I've bought her car but can't contact my old insurer Peoples Choice (whose parent company is Hastings Insurance Services Ltd) as their telephone no. is "invalid" and the website's been down for days, also they haven't replied to Saturday's emails.
http://www.quotesearch.co.uk/peoples-choice-car-insurance/
I have to use this insurer as my maximum NCD (9 years) is too old for other companies to honour (3 years 3 months). Indeed, even their sister companies (Hastings Direct and Ensure) won't!
Does anyone know what is going on with this outfit?, or have any suggestions?

People's Choice was wholly owned by Hastings. They were a broker, but just because they last held your policy is no guarantee at all that they will be able to find an insurer which will allow NCD that is over 3 years old to be used on a new policy.

nottseagull

raskazz wrote: »

People's Choice was wholly owned by Hastings. They were a broker, but just because they last held your policy is no guarantee at all that they will be able to find an insurer which will allow NCD that is over 3 years old to be used on a new policy.

Are you saying they have closed operations? Their website just says it's under construction.
I didn't realise they were brokers; the renewal notice issued in Dec 2007 does not actually state an insurance company on it, and I didn't keep any other correspondence. How can I find out what the actual company was?

Electric_Blue

I too have a problem with Peoples Choice. I didnt renew my car insurance with them, but foolishly threw my renewal away. Now when trying to take out car insurance elsewhere , i cant get my proof of no claims.
I have rang Hastings, but they just say that they have taken over People Choice, who have gone bust, and they have taken over the policies. This exactly what the guy said - if he is wrong please dont blame me.
He said if my policy has expired they have no record of me.
Thinking back Im sure I went via the Argos car insurance ('beat that quote') as I recall getting £30 vouchers for both our cars. Will they be able to help ?

My new insurer have asked who I had my policy with previously, as they can use them, but I cant honestly remember as I tend to swap insurers each year depending on the best deal.

When taxing a car it automatically knows who the insurers are , can I get them to assist ? Or will they only know my current insurer as well.

kingstreet

The FSA Register shows Peoples Choice Services Ltd is a former appointed representative and is no longer authorised.

Hastings Insurance Services Ltd, which trades from the same address in Bexhill shows Peoples Choice Insurance Services as a trading name from 10/03/2005 to date. It is authorised under 311492

The telephone number given is 01424 735735 or you could email compliance@hastingsdirect.com if you have a concern.

The Chief Exec is Edward Fitzmaurice and I have no idea if they might use forename.surname@hastingsdirect.com as their email addresses. One could only try, I guess.

nottseagull

Indeed Electric Blue, Peoples Choice is just a trading name of HISL. Ignore the useless call centre staff and write to them direct. If no joy, complain to the Ombudsman and let us know here.
If you used a comparison site, they would have emailed the top results to you so check your inbox from that period. If you paid by cc, get duplicate statements (I'm assuming you have thrown all statements away!)