Bikesure (and comparison sites generally)

fivetide

wonder if someone on here can help with a debate I'vejust had with Bikesure.

Looking to change bikes and originally did a quote through MCNComparejust to get a cheap quote on the current bike (TPFT as I just needed to keep the insurance up).

With that bike sold I want to change to a new one. Before ringing I did another MCNCompare check just to make sure I wasn't going to get scamped on the "oh your new one is three times the price" message.

Job done and I call Bikesure. They have me down as keeping the bikes in a brick garage. I don't I have a wooden one. Bikesure are claiming the quote they have just given me is invalid as it has to be a brick garage. They also said it would be checked by someone and investigated which is clearly a fib since they never checked the first time round.

Now, as far as I am concerned, I have done the T&C's correctly - The site simply asks if the bike is garaged yes or no. There is not stipulation or assumption made so to my mind, I have done as you should and answered all the questions honestly.

Should there be a claim (which I doubt, it's a quiet street) would I be in my rights to ensure they honour the policy based on the fact I answered the questions as they were given to me?

I simply ask as I will be moving elsewhere (Bikesure have just lost my business for now and the forseeable future) but obviously the other (cheaper I might add) quotes are through the same site and could potentially pull the same stunt.

Any thoughts?

5t.

Robbie-B

Hello,

When getting a quote from a third party web site such as an aggregator, I would always recommend checking carefully the information on the site where you are making the purchase through (the broker or insurer) to ensure the information is accurate on this site as it is with this Company that you are entering a contract with.

Usually brokers sites will specify options around a construction of a garage as some insurers may not accept a "wooden garage" and view this as a shed, which may be listed as being unacceptable depending on the product.

Hope that helps in some way.

fivetide

That's fine Robbie B....... but should they make sure the products you, I mean they are offering through these sites should be there in the first place? I can't see how, if someone has answered all the questions honestly and as accurately as possible that it is their fault if the insurer has offered a product they shouldn't?

Would the ombudsman force them to honour a deal made in good faith?

The debate got me thinking so wondered if anyone knew the definative arguement is all.

Of course if the B doesn't stand for what I think it does I apologise for the wink above.

5t.

fivetide

Bumpy... anyone know the answer at all.... seems bikesure dont... Failed in sorting this out tonight, waiting on some ring backs tomorrow so if anyone has any insights that would be grand.

5t.

Arfa__

I've heard reports of Bikesure being very pinickity about everything. Knew of a chap who tried to insure with them, they wanted photos and proof of garage, with the bike in it, with him on it and on and on and on. Really gave him a hard time. Picking at everything, tweaking the premium over every detail. In the end, he went elsewhere, filled in a straight forward web form and got a insured for £30 more...

forgotmyname

If you have nothing to hide from the insurers then i dont see a problem with them asking for proof.

Seem to get a few on here every now and then. My new insurer are asking for a copy of my licence what can i do, Can i cancel?
Err send them a copy and your sorted?

For some reasin they would rather lose money and cancel. I guess they have undeclared points of course.

If it helps keep the premium down its not an issue. At least you have proof also and gives them less chance to wriggle out of claims.

Arfa__

Yeah, see no prob sending copies of driving license. Just had to do that for my new insurance. It's only a 2 min job on photocopier.

The friend in question was a bit of an old timer, not really computer savy or the sort to work a digital camera. It was more the fact they asked him for some proof, then came back wanting more, then again for more... Overall, he just deemed the whole palaver too much hassle and preferred paying a spot more for an easier life.

It also begs the question, if they're going to be that nit-picking at the point of taking the premium out, what would they be like in the event of making a claim? Are they going to try and worm out of paying anything, any which way they can? Hardly fills you with confidence...

Shuaibf1987

IVE USED the bike insurer comparison site and seems to be the only decent one

fivetide

Arfa__ wrote: »

Yeah, see no prob sending copies of driving license. Just had to do that for my new insurance. It's only a 2 min job on photocopier.
..

Agree. No issue there at all. Happy for them to be sure I have a license at the address I'm saying I live at (I'm sure scammers do try it on with cars registered at grannies house etc).

The issue I had with the comparison site generally is if they say "is the vehicle garaged?" and you click yes should the insurer then be able to say the policy you have is invalid on the basis they assumed that it was made of brick and not wood?

In my mind the question has been answered honestly and if the policy put forward has issues liek that then it shouldn't be offered for sale through a comparison site in the first place. They'd happily allow you to complete payment etc

5t.

mikey72

The onus is on the insurer to use the data from comparison sites correctly

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/consumerinformation/product_news/insurance/price_comparison/index.shtml

In your example, if you have answered the question correctly, if they haven't specifed the type of garage on the comparison site, they can't refuse later.

Asking for proof you have complied is ok though, and asking for pictures.

If you send them a photo of a 6x3 wooden garage, they could argue it was a shed though.

fivetide

mikey72 wrote: »

The onus is on the insurer to use the data from comparison sites correctly

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/consumerinformation/product_news/insurance/price_comparison/index.shtml

In your example, if you have answered the question correctly, if they haven't specifed the type of garage on the comparison site, they can't refuse later.

Asking for proof you have complied is ok though, and asking for pictures.

If you send them a photo of a 6x3 wooden garage, they could argue it was a shed though.

Thanks Mikey. Quality link.

We once almost bought a house with one of these http://www.regencytimberbuildings.co.uk/timber_garages.htm

Not entirely sure how that would be significantly less secure than a brick garage with wooden doors though!

5t.