When is a claim not a claim?

Rickenbacker

After theft from my car, I contacted the insurance company to find out if I was covered in this particular case. I was not and have therefore obviously had no payout. Nevertheless as I'm now about to renew my insurance, the insurance company has raised the premium significantly as I have made a claim they say. I am arguing that I called to ascertain whether I COULD make a claim, and as they have not paid anything this is not a claim.

They won't budge, but as I am now embarking on finding a cheaper insurance elsewhere, I'm not sure whether I am running the risk of having my new insurance canceled if I claim not to have made any claims in the last 5 years.

So is a claim only a claim when you receive a payout from the insurance company, or is it a claim the moment you call the claims hotline of your insurer even if you are only asking about whether something is covered or not?

I understand this is not binding advice, but does anyone know anything about this?

vaio

depends on the question, if it says "claims" then you say no, if it says "incidents whether or not you claimed" then you say yes

oldhand

Shows why insurance companies are up in the same league as MPs,double glazing salesmen and child molesters.........:cool:

forgotmyname

The non claim maybe recorded as an incident on your insurance, So when you renew and dont tell the new company
of the incident they could ask for more money to cover the higher risk or cancel your policy.

Either way it wont look good for you, Especially if they dont check until you do need to claim.

oscarward

This is why when I need to check something like this I don't give my details to the call centre operator,

I usually say something like 'I'm not a customer and am thinking of buying insurance, this is a general enquiry but if so and so happened what is the company's attitude to that.'

Then if neccessary I ring back later........... hope it's a different operator so they don't recognise me.;)

Dangermac

oldhand wrote: »

Shows why insurance companies are up in the same league as MPs,double glazing salesmen and child molesters.........:cool:

I agree that this no claim/non-fault claim v premium increase situation is far from satisfactory. It's a horrible little cul-de-sac that the industry seems to have got itself into.

However, your comments are way out of order. I can only assume that you are of extremely low intelligence, and probably shouldnt be driving anyway. Idiot.

DM

jonesMUFCforever

Dangermac wrote: »

I agree that this no claim/non-fault claim v premium increase situation is far from satisfactory. It's a horrible little cul-de-sac that the industry seems to have got itself into.

However, your comments are way out of order. I can only assume that you are of extremely low intelligence, and probably shouldnt be driving anyway. Idiot.

DM

Sorry but he is right - the comments are well justified.

Dangermac

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Sorry but he is right - the comments are well justified.

Not you as well. !!!!!!. Are you seriously trying to compare a financial institution with a child molester!

Get a grip.

DM

fadetogrey

Dangermac wrote: »

Not you as well. !!!!!!. Are you seriously trying to compare a financial institution with a child molester!

Get a grip.

DM

He could have a very valid point,both usually have a very friendly face at the start but also have every intention of screwing you when and where they can,seems obvious.........

Dicky2K

There was a big piece about this on Watchdog a month or so ago.. Apparently they see it as an 'intention' of making a claim... same as "would i be better off claiming through you on this accident or paying cash out".. they think that regardless it IS still a claim, contrary to what us 'normal' people would thing.. insurance companies are parasites..

Dangermac

Dicky2K wrote: »

There was a big piece about this on Watchdog a month or so ago.. Apparently they see it as an 'intention' of making a claim... same as "would i be better off claiming through you on this accident or paying cash out".. they think that regardless it IS still a claim, contrary to what us 'normal' people would thing.. insurance companies are parasites..

I dont recall Ann Robinson comparing insurance companies to child molesters.

There are a few people tonight who need to get a grip on reality and/or take the correct coloured pills.

Really offensive stuff. Take a good look at yourselves.

DM