Help! Car Insurance inquiry (Non disclosure)

JimmyPegg

I recently took out a policy in March 2012 with Co operative insurance. I have a named driver on the policy who is related to me(He is my brother). Anyway, I rang my insurance to inquire about when the named driver would get a no claims bonus as I was nearing the end of the policy and wanted to know when it would come through. I asked and the Lady then informed me that the named driver was named as Spouse and not as a Brother. She said as a result of this my last 2 monthly payments would be £450 as opposed to 160 which is what I would normally pay. They say I owe them money as the premium would have been more and they have calculated the amount I have been underpaying. Thats basically a thousand pound in 2 months!

Are they allowed to do this? Do I have any grounds to stand on? It was a genuine mistake as I took the policy out online. It was obviously a mistake as I even put down on the insurance that we live in different houses which kind of lends credence to the fact it was a genuine typo and not intentional deceit. It was a genuine mistake, I fail to see how such a miniscule detail such as spouse and relative has such a great bearing on the premium price?


Advice would appreciated. thx

rs65

Have a look at the documents you received back in March. Did they show 'relationship' on them? Did they show your marital status?

JimmyPegg

rs65 wrote: »

Have a look at the documents you received back in March. Did they show 'relationship' on them? Did they show your marital status?

I will have to double check and look through the documents but from what I recall they didn't state specifics. The documents outlined the main details in the policy and listed the additional drivers without stating there relation to the policyholder.

I am really :mad: about this because I can't understand the price jump. All the other relevant and important information is accurate - If it was an age related error, fronting or even an undeclared motor conviction I'd understand but I just can't understand this. I don't want to cancel the policy because then It'd be difficult to take out insurance again.

kingstreet

A cancellation is only declarable if the insurer cancels it, not if you do it voluntarily.

dacouch

There is typically a substantial discount for Insured and Spouse to drive rather than insured and brother especially for I assume him being a young driver.

Whose car is it?

You need to look through your documents especially the proposal form / statement of fact to see what was declared.

How did you buy the cover eg over the phone, cis website or comparison site?

kingstreet

Try doing dummy quotes on the CIS site, altering the relationship from one to the other and see what difference it makes.

Don't make it identifiable as you.

JimmyPegg

dacouch wrote: »

There is typically a substantial discount for Insured and Spouse to drive rather than insured and brother especially for I assume him being a young driver.

Whose car is it?

You need to look through your documents especially the proposal form / statement of fact to see what was declared.

How did you buy the cover eg over the phone, cis website or comparison site?

Yes you are right he is a young driver but the age I entered is correct so I can't see why it should make a huge difference. I wasn't aware of any discount for insurer and spouse. I assume this is part of some bogus statistic that somehow indicates insured and spouse being less at risk?

I have checked the CO OP website and the only other option I have is the option to put 'other relation'.

I bought the cover via the CIS website. I filled out the details and took the policy out online. I am the owner of the vehicle and my brother is an additional driver. I will have to take a thorough look through the documents.

Thanks for the prompt responses. Its appreciated. I am really stuck on this now because there is no way I am going to be able to cough up a grand in 2 months. And even if I could I am extremely reluctant to do so over a measly typo.

Quentin

Cancelling the policy won't have any repercussions regarding any future insurance.

But your present insurer would still chase you for the extra premium they now require.

In addition you would have cancellation fees to pay and lose any ncd you would earn for the year.

Decide if cancelling will be cost effective before making the decision to cancel.

JimmyPegg

Quentin wrote: »

Cancelling the policy won't have any repercussions regarding any future insurance.

But your present insurer would still chase you for the extra premium they now require.

In addition you would have cancellation fees to pay and lose any ncd you would earn for the year.

Decide if cancelling will be cost effective before making the decision to cancel.

To be honest my main worry is the charge itself. Judging by the replies it doesn't seem like theres any way out of it.

Quentin

You should avoid letting this get to the stage where they decide to cancel your policy.

This would have major consequences for ever more for you and they would still chase you for their money (assuming they are correctly asking for it now! )

JimmyPegg

Quentin wrote: »

You should avoid letting this get to the stage where they decide to cancel your policy.

This would have major consequences for ever more for you and they would still chase you for their money (assuming they are correctly asking for it now! )

I've rang them and they are insisting that is the amount I owe them due to the whole spouse/relation issue.

It seems at this point I can either pay or cancel. I'm out of playing cards now. I have seen a few responses saying it won't effect if I cancel but don't some insurance companies specifically ask if you have cancelled policies in the past?