HELP! Car insurance nightmare.

MrsX_2

What a disastrous day.

This morning another driver crashed into me whilst I was stationary at traffic lights.

To cut a long story short he refused to give his details and then left the scene. I reported the incident to the police and was asked to take my driving documents to the police station.

When I got in, I got my documents and rang my insurance company. They informed me that they had cancelled my policy 4 days ago as the had not recieved confirmation of my no claims bonus. I had posted it two days after I recieved the reminder, but they say they have no record of recieving it. My policy was cancelled on 3.12.2011 - I was oblivious, ironically, a letter arrived mid morning today (dated 6.12.2011) informing me of this.

I went to the police station as planned, and informed them of this.

To my horror the officer proceeded to caution me, and says he will be discussing with his Seargent whether I will be charged with driving without insurance.

I am absolutely beside myself. I've never been in trouble, my car looks like a write off.
The thought of having to go to court fills me with dread, and the thought of having to find money to pay a solicitor does too.

Any advice?

drc

Hello, sorry I can't be of any help but try reposting it in the motoring forum;

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=70

InsideInsurance

Did you take the precaution of either sending it the proof of NCD by recorded delivery or obtaining a certificate of postage?

To add insult to injury you will also have to declare to ALL insurers in the future that you have had insurance cancelled for the rest of your life which will add a massive loading!

You can try begging to both the insurers and the police but the former are highly unlikely to do anything, the later more commonly will let people off with a caution if they are believable.

As the accident is non-fault, you are still fully entitled to claim for your losses from the third party insurers. The fact you werent insured at the time is inconsequential to the matter.

If you know who their insurers are you could go directly to them and try and claim. Alternatively you could approach an accident management company who will handle the claim for you (they'll be interested if your car is undriveable as they'll give you credit hire which costs the TPI lots of money giving them big profits)

MrsX_2

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Did you take the precaution of either sending it the proof of NCD by recorded delivery or obtaining a certificate of postage?

To add insult to injury you will also have to declare to ALL insurers in the future that you have had insurance cancelled for the rest of your life which will add a massive loading!

You can try begging to both the insurers and the police but the former are highly unlikely to do anything, the later more commonly will let people off with a caution if they are believable.

As the accident is non-fault, you are still fully entitled to claim for your losses from the third party insurers. The fact you werent insured at the time is inconsequential to the matter.

If you know who their insurers are you could go directly to them and try and claim. Alternatively you could approach an accident management company who will handle the claim for you (they'll be interested if your car is undriveable as they'll give you credit hire which costs the TPI lots of money giving them big profits)

Thanks for your replies.
No I didn't obtain proof of posting - I assumed that insurance company would contact me if they'd not recieved it. Speaking to them today they told me I should have phoned theem to confirm that they'd recieved it -ho hum, I've never thought to do that and a quick straw poll of my friends reveal they haven't either.

As I said, the other driver refused to give details and then left the scene, so I don't have any details at all for him.

As to the fact that this will increase my insurance premiums - I'm fairly resigned to the fact that my driving days are over - I can barely afford my car insurance as it is, thats on a small car, with a clean license and ten years no claims discount.

Its been a very bad day.

dunstonh

No I didn't obtain proof of posting - I assumed that insurance company would contact me if they'd not recieved it. Speaking to them today they told me I should have phoned theem to confirm that they'd recieved it -ho hum, I've never thought to do that and a quick straw poll of my friends reveal they haven't either.

I wouldnt have phoned them either. However, I have never had an insurer lose any paperwork and they have always confirmed and sent the paperwork back.

As I said, the other driver refused to give details and then left the scene, so I don't have any details at all for him.

What about car make, model and registration plate?

For future reference, a camera mobile phone is good in this case. Photo the car, including number plate and driver.

InsideInsurance

The problem is that you waited for the threat/ reminder and therefore there was no additional prompt to come. If you had sent it off straight away and it had gotten lost you'd have known about it because of the reminder/ threat letter.

Unfortunately it will be all your insurances not just motor, you'll need to inform your home insurers etc.

Ultimately, you have nothing left to lose and can ask for their goodwill but dont hold your breath.

MrsX_2

dunstonh wrote: »

I wouldnt have phoned them either. However, I have never had an insurer lose any paperwork and they have always confirmed and sent the paperwork back.



What about car make, model and registration plate?

For future reference, a camera mobile phone is good in this case. Photo the car, including number plate and driver.

I did manage to get the reg, I'm waiting for news from police about whether they get any joy, but they seem more interested in prosecuting me TBH.

The car is not my main concern to be honest, its old and worth little, I'm more worried about the implications of the insurance problems.

MrsX_2

InsideInsurance wrote: »

The problem is that you waited for the threat/ reminder and therefore there was no additional prompt to come. If you had sent it off straight away and it had gotten lost you'd have known about it because of the reminder/ threat letter.

Unfortunately it will be all your insurances not just motor, you'll need to inform your home insurers etc.

Ultimately, you have nothing left to lose and can ask for their goodwill but dont hold your breath.

Seriously? I can't believe this. What a nightmare.

chanz4

If they do you for no insurance, its 6 points and a fine. Inregards to the other insured go on the ask mid website and it will provide you the details.

pimento

This is quite aposite for me.

I was insured by Tesco last year and all their documents/correspondance came by email, including the renewal docs. I changed insurer to Direct Line and they would not accept my laser printed copy of proof of NCD and I have been trying to get a paper letter sent by Royal Mail from Tesco for nearly a fortnight without joy. They keep saying they have sent it but it hasn't arrived.
I called Direct Line just today to find out how long I have to produce it. They said 30 days from the start of the policy (so December 18).

I reckon if I don't get the paper proof from Tesco by then I will have to cancel the Direct Line policy and go back to Tesco. It's a ridiculous way to do business.

I feel for the OP.

MrsX_2

pimento wrote: »

This is quite aposite for me.

I was insured by Tesco last year and all their documents/correspondance came by email, including the renewal docs. I changed insurer to Direct Line and they would not accept my laser printed copy of proof of NCD and I have been trying to get a paper letter sent by Royal Mail from Tesco for nearly a fortnight without joy. They keep saying they have sent it but it hasn't arrived.
I called Direct Line just today to find out how long I have to produce it. They said 30 days from the start of the policy (so December 18).

I reckon if I don't get the paper proof from Tesco by then I will have to cancel the Direct Line policy and go back to Tesco. It's a ridiculous way to do business.

I feel for the OP.

Thanks for that, quite honestly, I'm reeling from what are the likely consequences of my being guilty of doing absolutely nothing wrong - consequences that seem to be getting worse by the minute.

Even if the answer is that I should have checked that they had it - the consequences seem completely disproportionate.

I'm feeling fairly devestated at the minute.