Someone drove into me and now it puts £300 on my policy

mikey72

BAA1 wrote: »

I think many people know that statistics can be manipulated to prove any case that you wish, i.e. the same figures can be manipulated to go in favour of an argument or against the argument depending which side you want the result to fall. So, I would say that using the statistics argument is mute.

There could be a number or reasons that would justify an increase to a premium after a non-fault incident, one would be to recoup the insurer's expenses in processing the claim, another would be when the insurer learns new information about the area the car is kept such as higher incidents of damage to parked cars due to bad road layout or bad lighting or bad neighbours. (There are no doubt other justifiable reasons)

If insurers used these actual facts as their reason for loading premiums, then there would be little anyone could argue, but to say "statistics show your risk has increased" is a generic statement that causes the issue for some people.

Very very true.
I used statistical analysis for many years, and could justify anything with them. When you see the raw data, that's the only time you know if the facts are real or not.

Print_Screen

^
Agreed statistics can be shown to prove things the way you want. For example the government not counting certain people as unemployed when they are so making the unemployment figures lower.

When it comes to car insurance a survey could find that people involved in accidents usually have trainers on rather than shoes or flip-flops, etc so would it be justifiable to increase your premium based on your footware? This could be backed up by stats.

Should I expect to see a question on my renewal form asking what footware I expect to drive my car in? Should there be a 'trainer opt out' clause in insurance so you pay less if you never drive in trainers?

But if you are ever involved in an accident while wearing trainers then your policy would be null and void.

jackyann

lisyloo wrote: »

Hi jackyann - I would seriously suggest joining an advanced driving group (IAM and rospa are two examples).
They will work with people to examine the correct position, speed, gear etc. to be in at all times to cope with both the seen and unseen hazards to make your driving better than it is already.
I suspect that you would find yourself a more confident and faster driver and statistically less likely to have an accident (and this IS recognised by insurers).
The actual training sessions they provide on a volunteer basis is usually free although there are costs in terms of books, group membership and taking an advanced test.

Thanks for reminding me! I did apply to attend a local IAM but discovered it was actually more of a social group & they asked me to their Xmas dinner! I then completely forgot about contacting them again!
And yes, it is a choice to live where I do, but to answer someone else: I stick to the speed limit and I do get overtaken.
I can't believe that any course is going to tell me to do 40 mph in a 30 zone so that doesn't happen!

brownie4583

All insurers are pirates!The 'statistics' are a load of rubbish anyway,just a way of increasing your premium as usual!
For example,we had fully comp,social,domestic & pleasure,now we have fully comp including driving to and from your place of work,which yet again will add extra money to your premium!I suppose they reckon i am a bigger risk because i drive to work and back?Firstly,my place of work is only 15-20 mins drive and basically outside of rush hour times(nights).So how come i am a bigger risk,statistically,than someone who drives social,domestic & pleasure only then?
So i can drive 15 mins to work,around 8 miles,and back again,where as the other person could be driving to the coast,London etc and on the motorway,say possibly 200 miles round trip,who is the bigger risk then???Not me,but statistically according to the insurance company i am!!!Load of rubbish!!!!!
Also,have you noticed all the statistics they have,or the vast majority of them,increase your premium and it's all in their favour,as usual!
My daughter is 19 and taking driving lessons,she could pass her test,never have an accident and be a really good and safe driver,but she will get hammered on her insurance because the so called 'statistics' say 17-21 year old's are reckless,have more accidents,boy racers etc etc.
Why do all the drivers in this age group get hammered,it's ridiculous really!If my daughter has accidents,gets points for speeding etc etc then hammer her,that's fine,i have no problem with that at all!Fair enough she is obviously inexperienced,but there are a lot of very experienced drivers who have been driving like 20/30 years+ who have regular accidents,speeding fines,drink driving etc etc.
Where will it all end.........my wife has a provisional licence but i cannot add her as a 2nd driver and take her out because my car is a 2 litre,this was not the case in the past,it actually reduced my premium then!!What difference does it make that my car is a 2 litre,as opposed to a 1.6 or a 1.4 she will still be driving at 30mph in 30mph limit etc,and it is probably slower 0-60 than a lot of 1.4's!
I can't figure this out,but i'm sure someone will try and explain this to me

lisyloo

I did apply to attend a local IAM but discovered it was actually more of a social group

Most groups have a social side.
It helps to welcome new people and keep the existing members engaged in the group including those that do the coaching, so it does have an important role.
Generally that's not the primary purpose though and the social side is entirely optional.

I can't believe that any course is going to tell me to do 40 mph in a 30 zone

Completely correct. You are going to be encouraged to drive at the right speed and not to break the law.
However there is a LOT more to it than just keeping to the speed limit.

lisyloo

Also,have you noticed all the statistics they have,or the vast majority of them,increase your premium and it's all in their favour,as usual!

I personally don't find that.
I find that my age, location, claim history, NCB, conviction history, gender, equipment and qualifications actually bring the premium down.

Why do all the drivers in this age group get hammered

How else would they do it?
Apart from grouping people the only thing I can think of is that they individually check out your daughter e.g. driving test and interview- which would mean you'd have to pay for that to get a quote. Would you be willing to pay for an individual asssesment just to get a quote? Somehow I doubt it.

If my daughter has accidents,gets points for speeding etc etc then hammer her,that's fine,i have no problem with that at all!Fair enough she is obviously inexperienced,but there are a lot of very experienced drivers who have been driving like 20/30 years+ who have regular accidents,speeding fines,drink driving etc etc.

How do you suggest they jduge your daughter - given they have no experience to go on and no crystal ball?

Where will it all end

I honestly think an increasing number of people won't be able to afford to drive (unless they decide to break the law).

I can't figure this out,but i'm sure someone will try and explain this to me

Business are there to make money for their shareholders. That is their primary purpose.
It's not to be fair to you or to provide a decent service.
That is a fact.
Plese note I am not expressing an opinion here, or supporting this or saying it's ideal. I am simlpy explaining that is how the world works currently.
This mandatory product (if you want to drive and not break the law) is ONLY availvable from companies who primary motive is to make money.

mikey72

lisyloo wrote: »

This mandatory product (if you want to drive and not break the law) is ONLY availvable from companies who primary motive is to make money.

No, it's not.
We know your views on promoting corporate capitalism, but mutual societies still exist, and offer products that are often cheaper than ones that pay huge bonuses to staff and shareholders.

lisyloo

We know your views on promoting corporate capitalism

Again you twist everything I say (hero->underclass etc.) I wonder why you feel the need to do that rather than debate on the issues ????
I have not promoted anything at all.

and offer products that are often cheaper

Are they on the comparison sites?
If so I suspect most people are already seeing their quotes.
If not please put them up here to share with the entire MSE community.
I would be quite happy to do an experiment to see if they offer anything cheaper than my recent insurance purchase.

I would completely support mutual societies (over capitalism) but I think the community at large will only support them if they offer good prices.

mikey72

Done that several times.

Last one I insured with in fact

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3252640

CSIS

lisyloo

I suspect that buying from one of these societies isn't the answer to cure all ills.
If it were then it's the advice we'd all be giving out left right and center.
Don't get me wrong - it would be lovely if it was, but I haven't seen it solving all the collective issues, so I remain to be convinced.
Be back later - just going out to do something positive for road safety.