Advice - Insurer charging me for changes to my policy I didn't make?

fatballs

Hi all,

I'm a new driver, only picked up my car at the start of the month, and don't know a great deal about car insurance so any advice would be great.

2 days ago I received an email from my car insurer saying:

"A system check of your policy has highlighted that you gave different licence or conviction details when you obtained a quote from [insurer] prior to taking out this policy. In order for us to ensure we have the correct information noted, please forward a copy of your driving licence (front & back of photocard and counterpart) within the next 7 days."

I phoned up customer services, and asked why I received this (because obviously nothing has changed in 20 days), they said it was nothing to worry about, it was routine. I asked if everyone gets this email and the lady said 'oh, absolutely!'. So I emailed them a scan of my licence as requested.

Now this morning I just received this:

"Thank you for asking us to change the license details on your policy. These changes will take effect from 20.04.12. As a result of these changes, there would be a balance of £135.74. This amount will be debited from the account details we hold on file within the next twenty days."

I've compared the policy documents, and only thing I can see that is different is that it says 'policy change' where it used to say 'new business'! I emailed asking them to explain exactly what has been changed on my policy and am waiting to hear back.

What should I do? Thanks in advance.

Ransoman

Who is your insurer?

Quentin

Did you change your conviction details? If so, they are correct in wanting a revised premium after comparing your licence with your application.

But if they have got his wrong, then obviously don't pay, dispute the charge (in writing is best), ask them not to take any money and take it from their reply.

fatballs

Admiral.

And I've never had any convictions! Absolutely nothing has changed.

Only thing I can think of is that when using a price comparison website I stated that I had a Pass Plus certificate (I had finished the course a few days before and the certificate was in the post), and the certificate came back the day after my insurance started.... but Admiral don't give a Pass Plus discount so that shouldn't matter anyway?

Premier_2

fatballs wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm a new driver, only picked up my car at the start of the month, and don't know a great deal about car insurance so any advice would be great.

2 days ago I received an email from my car insurer saying:

"A system check of your policy has highlighted that you gave different licence or conviction details when you obtained a quote from [insurer] prior to taking out this policy. In order for us to ensure we have the correct information noted, please forward a copy of your driving licence (front & back of photocard and counterpart) within the next 7 days."

I phoned up customer services, and asked why I received this (because obviously nothing has changed in 20 days), they said it was nothing to worry about, it was routine. I asked if everyone gets this email and the lady said 'oh, absolutely!'. So I emailed them a scan of my licence as requested.

Now this morning I just received this:

"Thank you for asking us to change the license details on your policy. These changes will take effect from 20.04.12. As a result of these changes, there would be a balance of £135.74. This amount will be debited from the account details we hold on file within the next twenty days."

I've compared the policy documents, and only thing I can see that is different is that it says 'policy change' where it used to say 'new business'! I emailed asking them to explain exactly what has been changed on my policy and am waiting to hear back.

What should I do? Thanks in advance.

fatballs wrote: »

Admiral.

And I've never had any convictions! Absolutely nothing has changed.

Only thing I can think of is that when using a price comparison website I stated that I had a Pass Plus certificate (I had finished the course a few days before and the certificate was in the post), and the certificate came back the day after my insurance started.... but Admiral don't give a Pass Plus discount so that shouldn't matter anyway?

I was insured with Admiral and never received such an email.

Edit: But then I often use bogus details (close but not exact, e.g. correct locality, correct age, etc) when getting quotes online. Saves getting bombarded with umpteen different insurers sending letters hoping to be your insurer next year.
Only the succesful insurance company gets the proper details which I of course update prior to acceptance of their quote

fatballs

Premier wrote: »

I was insured with Admiral and never received such an email.

It sounds dodgy, right? Why would an insurance company 'routinely' tell all of their customers that a search has shown that their license details are incorrect?

kkgree1

I have recently had this with Hastings Direct as all the online quotes I had done through comparison sites flagged up different dates that I passed my test. I scanned my photocard & paper counterpart & emailed it to them and they were happy with this. I would definitely dispute any additional charges!

neilmcl

Dispute the charge unless they can prove and tell you exactly what the changes are.

When you got the quote did you tell them you had your license longer than what really have?

fatballs

neilmcl wrote: »

Dispute the charge unless they can prove and tell you exactly what the changes are.

When you got the quote did you tell them you had your license longer than what really have?

I told the absolute truth when I looked for quotes, why would I lie when I know these things will be checked??

fatballs

I called up, and they claim that:

1. I have an automatic-only license and they say I told them I had a full license. I definitely did not do that. I definitely selected 'UK Automatic' license from the drop-down box on the quotes comparison site. Why would I lie?! If the price comparison website didn't pass this information on correctly why should I have to pay for their mistake?

2. I now have a Pass Plus qualification - they want a copy of my certificate. I have just emailed this to them. I am aware that it is dated a day after my cover started. But if they don't offer a Pass Plus discount then why does it matter to them?

They assure me that no money has been taken out of my account and I'm waiting to hear back from a line manager today/tomorrow.

Quentin

What type of licence does it say you have in your particulars in the paperwork they have sent out/you have downloaded?