HAd an accident and not covered for Commuting

bubblyjo2010

Hi All

I am looking for some advice really. I lost my job last year and at the time wasn't driving to work so when I renewed my policy last september I said I only wanted it for social and domestic use - which at the time was correct.

I then got a fixed term contract and have been driving to work since Feb - didn''t even cross my mind to change my insurance policy.

I had an accident this morning on my way to work and it is going through the insurance. I told them the truth that I was driving to work and they said they would have to contact the under writers and there may be a premium to pay as I am not covered for commuting. They haven't said I was uninsured but now I'm really worried I'm going to end up liable for the repairs to the other car (very minimal and looks like scratched to the paint - my car is much worse off)

Anyone been through anything similar or any advice - I'm now also concerned (having had a google) I may get into trouble for not telling them I lost my job - even though the insurance was paid in full.

Thanks

Quentin

If you haven't given them your true occupation, then you need to do this now!

The worst case scenario for not giving them the correct info is that the policy is voided, but rely on what you have been told, and the worst may be a backdated premium increase to cover the commuting, or maybe just an admin charge for notifying the change (there is often no or little difference in premium for having commuting)

antrobus

The Financial Ombudsman's take on the subject of non-disclosure can be found here, http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/46/46_non_disclosure_insurance.htm.

In the circumstances, I imagine the insurers will do what they've said they'll do i.e. "contact the under writers" and see if there will "be a premium to pay" for commuting.

vaio

but based on other threads it might well be that the premium increase for commuting will be less than the premium decrease because you've moved from unemployed to employed so you might even come out ahead

mikey72

vaio wrote: »

but based on other threads it might well be that the premium increase for commuting will be less than the premium decrease because you've moved from unemployed to employed so you might even come out ahead

Hope the op posts back.

bubblyjo2010

Sorry I think I confused myself - I was working when I took out my car insurance in sept but soon after lost my job - at no time (until feb) was I driving to work.

mildred1978

bubblyjo2010 wrote: »

Sorry I think I confused myself - I was working when I took out my car insurance in sept but soon after lost my job - at no time (until feb) was I driving to work.

Then why did you take commuting cover off?

bubblyjo2010

I've never had commuting cover as I have never commuted by car to work - I have always go the train. I took a contract local to me in Feb and have been driving to work since Feb, but it didn't even occur to me to mention this to the insurer.... ironic thing is I finish the contract on thursday and won't be driving to work after this week....

mikey72

I find that commuting, or even business use makes no difference to my premium. So if you do have a short term contract, and the possibility of one that will take you to different places of work for the same employer, it's worth including it at the start, otherwise you'll be stung with amendment fees.

anniecave

One of our contractors changed her insurance from social domestic and pleasure to commuting and she got a refund on her insurance (only about £10.00 though!)

adamc260

In previous cases of referring policies like this to underwriting they tend to just charge the additional premium for adding commuting usage on etc.