Van Insurance

darkvortex

This might be a bit long winded but any advice would be appreciated.

We own 2 vans for purely commercial purposes, now they are both owned by me (legal owner and registered keeper)

However we have 2 different drivers (on an any driver policy), there was an non-fault accident on Van A a few months back but this was settled privately, and the underwriters of Van A have long since closed the case.

However Commercial Vehicle Direct (broker for both Van insurances) have stated that an additional premium has to be paid for the insurance on Van B, because they are adding the accident from Van A onto the record for Van B!

Even though Van A and Van B have different drivers and different underwriters.
They say that it is because the legal owner / policy holder for both vehicles is the same person.

Now maybe its just me but surely one accident from 1 vehicle with its own driver shouldn't effect the cost of another different vehicle with a different driver? It just seems like a convenient excuse to get more money, already the cost of the insurance surpasses the value of the vehicle!

Any kind of insight would be helpful.

Quentin

As the driver in charge at the time of the claim is not involved with the policyholder's other vehicle then the claim does have to be disclosed under the policyholder's history.

But if this is renewal time for the policy in question then although the incident does have to be disclosed you should still be shopping round for the best deal.

raskazz

darkvortex wrote: »

Even though Van A and Van B have different drivers and different underwriters.
They say that it is because the legal owner / policy holder for both vehicles is the same person.

They are right. The insurer is entitled to ask the policyholder for details of their claims history - i.e. claims under motor insurance policies held previously, regardless of the specific vehicle.

darkvortex wrote: »

already the cost of the insurance surpasses the value of the vehicle!

That is common as the insurer is not only insuring the vehicle for theft/fire and accidental or malicious damage, but also the (far more costly) risk of liability to third parties for property damage and/or injury.