change in car insurance!

mrswand

Hi all, I use Quinn insurance for my car. I have one years no claims and am part way through the second year of my policy which I paid upfront (£700). My job has changed slightly and I now need to use my car for work. I just rang to change policy to business use and they said it means I owe £350 which I have to pay in the next 10 days. Really not impressed. Thought I might have to pay a bit more but not that much. What can I do? Surely I am tied to this policy so have no choice? Any suggestions? Thanks.

pitkin2020

Your not tied to the policy you can cancel but you may be charged an admin fee and you won't get any NCB for a part period. Before going and cancelling or even paying them I would get some new quotes with the requirements you need using your 1 years NCB and see what the cost is. If you can make a serious saving then it maybe best to cancel and go with the new insurer.

I had to a similar thing quite a few years ago when I only had 2 years NCB, changed car and insurance company pretty much doubled the quote. I rang around and got a new quote cheaper than I was already paying before changing the car. As I was half way through the policy it was still cheaper to pay the £35 admin fee and change. You do loose the time served so to speak but if the saving is enough then its irrelevant anyway

mikey72

Get quotes for yourself as a new customer, and see if the price is different to the one you've been quoted to change.

Have a look the thread below, same applies.

mikey72 wrote: »

Print out all the quotes.
When you speak to them, complain they are not treating the customer fairly, and are overcharging you as you are captive to them.
If they do not have a complaints department, ask them what the formal complaints procedure is.
If they don't have one, inform them you will be referring the complaint to the FOS.
If they do tell you the procedure, put it in writing with the figures you have, then refer it to the FOS as they are not treating you fairly.
You may not win, but at least the subject will gain more attention. Then again you may get a result, but either way it'll only cost the price of a stamp.

McKneff

If its going to be used for work, why dont you ask your company to pay the extra premium, I presume they are paying a petrol allowance.

mrswand

thanks everyone! I work for the NHS so not hopeful about financial assistance from them given the current climate! So, if I found a cheaper quote elsewhere, could I in theory cancel my existing quote with Quinn and they would pay back for the time left on my policy?

pitkin2020

mrswand wrote: »

thanks everyone! I work for the NHS so not hopeful about financial assistance from them given the current climate! So, if I found a cheaper quote elsewhere, could I in theory cancel my existing quote with Quinn and they would pay back for the time left on my policy?

You would need to check your policy carefully, most though will refund the unused amount minus their admin fee.

mikey72

mrswand wrote: »

thanks everyone! I work for the NHS so not hopeful about financial assistance from them given the current climate! So, if I found a cheaper quote elsewhere, could I in theory cancel my existing quote with Quinn and they would pay back for the time left on my policy?

That's another question.

They should give a pro rata refund less up to a £50 fee.
Probably woon't offer anywhere near that, but a letter of complaint and possibly a complaint to the FOS will normally sort it out.

dacouch

What business use will you be performing for the NHS eg driving to different surgeries / patients or actually carrying patients ?

What Class of Use are Quinn quoting you for eg Class 1 or Class 2 ?

Have the NHS instructed which class of use you need eg 1 or 2

s_b

dacouch wrote: »

What business use will you be performing for the NHS eg driving to different surgeries / patients or actually carrying patients ?

What Class of Use are Quinn quoting you for eg Class 1 or Class 2 ?

Have the NHS instructed which class of use you need eg 1 or 2

got to agree here,wife works for nhs,occasionally she has to use her car to go to other nhs places,its not business use
her colleagues who do business use get cars provided
are you sure you arent being paid a good allowance but still objecting to being a bigger risk by your insurer?

dacouch

s_b wrote: »

got to agree here,wife works for nhs,occasionally she has to use her car to go to other nhs places,its not business use
her colleagues who do business use get cars provided
are you sure you arent being paid a good allowance but still objecting to being a bigger risk by your insurer?

Going to other work places is not normally classed as normal use eg Social Domestic and Pleasure and Commuting