Car insurance - shortened name instead of full name

NewFolder

I've recently found out that my car insurance is in a shortened version of my name rather than my full name (e.g. sam instead of samuel). This does not match the name on my driving licence.

Would the insurance company use their common sense, and realise that it's just a shortened version of my real name, or use it as an excuse not to pay out?

Quentin

Don't worry about the name.

(But have they got the correct gender for you?)

rs65

Probably best if your insurance, driving licence and V5 all match. Can't see it being a problem though as you will be the only Sam at your address with your date of birth (unless you have a twin sister called Samantha).

forgotmyname

Its thats the only issue the it shouldnt be a problem but add that to another small issue and it maybe.

If you know its wrong why not phone and correct it?

System

Different organisations allocate a different number of maximum available spaces in the name box. So they must be used to dealing with full name details not quite matching up.

Buzby

forgotmyname wrote: »

If you know its wrong why not phone and correct it?

Probably because they'll charge £30 as a 'policy change' fee!

forgotmyname

So risk £30 or not being insured?

Whose mistake is it?
Theirs? If they did it when the documents arrived then they shouldnt charge.

Bigdazman1

Your name being wrong will not invalidate your insurance. But I would suggest to call them an change it, at the end of the day if you are stopped by the police then if they wanted to, they might make an issue of it. In regards to an admin fee, it's not the companies fault you didn't type your full name I'm afraid.

Rav3n

I very much doubt it would invalidate your insurance, but for the sake of a 5 minute phone call it would be best to call them and make them change it.

Buzby

Your policy could have you listed a variety of ways - lets not forget initials, (and a good example), Robert, Bob, Robbie, Rab, Bobby, Rob, all of which are all fullly accepted as being interchangeable.

Therefore the policyholder should not be inconvenienced by a suggestion that it doesn't 'match'. Nothing requires you to use the name stated in your birth certificate - but perhaps if firms weren't more money grubbing, they would amend at no cost. But will they?

NewFolder

Well I've just phoned them, I was on the phone for 5 minutes, only about 5 seconds of which was actually speaking to an adviser! I explained the issue, and they said it would not cause any issue whatsoever and I didn't need to change it.

The reason it's like this in the first place is that I was getting loads of insurance quotes from different places, so I typed in my shortened name to save time. I then purchased the Aviva policy, after checking all the details I'd provided, but obviously not carefully enough. I've rechecked the rest of my details and they are all correct.

I'll make sure I don't make this mistake again next time!