Car insurance premium increase - is it worth complaining?

llpllp

Hi All,

I had been insured with my foreign driving license before I passed the driving test in the UK. When I passed I updated the insurer with new details, but I had to pay additional 570 GBP to my ~900 GBP premium. I've spent 1 week trying to find an insurer which would not count me as a newbie driver, but could not find any reasonable deal and I had to agree with my first insurer. I don't think I became more dangerous driver when I passed the test, so premium increase does not make any sense.

My question is: should I try to complain? As I understand this is an industry standart - as soon as I pass the driving test I fall into a newbie driver category and there's no insurer who can change this.

raskazz

When you say "foreign" license, in which country was it issued?

llpllp

It was issued in Russia

raskazz

llpllp wrote: »

It was issued in Russia

Who is your current insurer? How long were you resident in the UK before passing the UK test?

[Deleted User]

Have you actually go into an Insurance broker and asked?

llpllp

motorquotedirect.co.uk, 10 months. Does it really matter?

raskazz

llpllp wrote: »

motorquotedirect.co.uk, 10 months. Does it really matter?

Motorquotedirect.co.uk appear to be a broker rather than an insurer.

I suspect that they are blindly using a computerised quote system without using their brain.

Who is a higher risk - an international permit holder who has never taken a UK test; or someone who held an international permit but who has recently taken and passed a UK test? It is clear that it is the former so to increase the premium is a bit silly.

Get in touch with motorquotedirect.co.uk and make a complaint. Ask them if they have referred the matter to the actual underwriters of the policy.

llpllp

I think they referred it, but the insurer replied that I had to pay anyway.

Shrimper1: Have I asked about complaining? No

I've spent a week trying to find another insurer with reasonable price, it included about 10 different brokers and providers by phone and in person, I also managed to bring a proof of 2 years no-claims from Russia, some of them were able to accept it, but the best price was still 1250. motorquotedirect were going to refund me 350 if I cancel the policy, but it wasn't cheaper this way and I did not cancel.

Right now I can see 900 pounds quotes for me with foreign license (Admiral, Elephant), but obviously nothing similar with 1 months UK full license.

raskazz

You should raise a formal complaint with motorquotedirect/the insurer.

In terms of getting new quotes, you have to disclose the UK licence rather than the international permit, as a Full UK licence is obtained, it takes precedence over any other international permit.

llpllp

Thanks rasskaz,

I'm guessing next year I'm going to be a newbie driver anyway.

llpllp

As you suggested, I've made an official complaint to the Broker.

I've got a response from the Broker saying that they contacted the Insurer who had confirmed that passing the full UK driving test is a "rateable key fact" and it DOES change the premium, and therefore no refund is due to me.

Should I try Financial Ombudsman Service or complain to the Insurer (Sabre Insurance) first?