Automatic/manual licence implications on car insurance: why am I penalised?

uphillstruggler

Hi MSE folks.

I've held an automatic licence since 2004.

I passed my manual test in 2011.

Apart from the manual lessons and test I took in 2011 I've owned and driven an automatic since 2004.

Had I not taken my manual test I would now be paying £150 less (on average, having taken a look at various comparison sites) for my car insurance as I am now considered a relatively "new" driver after 9 years.

Wish I had thought about this before! I tried to discuss this with my insurers but it seems an unusual situation and they didn't seem to understand. Has anyone had this problem? And is there anything I can do about it? Just seems bizarre that, had I not stepped into a manual in 2011 I would be paying £250 rather than £400 a year now.

Thank you for any advice.
US

diesel_dog

It seems stupid to a certain degree that you've been driving since 2004 to date (With a full licence I presume?) and they want to penalise you for passing a manual vehicle test two years ago, BUT that's insurance companies for you. Make it up as they go along but for profit and no other logic!

Maybe someone who works within an insurance company on here can comment as this seems dumb!

Rover_Driver

Why would passing the test for a manual affect insurance if you are still driving an automatic as you have held a full licence for that since 2004?

Surely the question is "How long have you held a full licence for that type of vehicle", answer "Since 2004".

If you were now driving a manual I could understand it, as you have only had a full licence for that since 2011.

mad_rich

Presumably you're trying to insure an automatic car.

Unless the insurance company are utter nutcases, I hope it's a case of 'computer says no'. Have you tried to get this escalated to a supervisor?

uphillstruggler

Hi MSEs,

Thanks so much for your replies - I subscribed to the thread but hadn't heard anything - just searched for it and your replies were there, sorry!

Yes, not too happy but hey. I am in a cooling-off period at the mo so may try to find a company that will insure me for less. Yes, I am insuring to drive an automatic car.

Current insurers haven't been very helpful - in fact, they don't seem to understand what the problem is...

Thanks again for your thoughts. Have a good day.

mad_rich

One other option (and I would double check the legality of this, don't take my word for it) would be to simply ignore the manual test and put in the 2004 date when you generate the quote.

Then, speak to the insurer *after* you've accepted the quote and then disclose that you also have a manual licence. Be very up front and tell the agent why you have done it that way.

bryanb

mad_rich wrote: »

Then, speak to the insurer *after* you've accepted the quote and then disclose that you also have a manual licence. Be very up front and tell the agent why you have done it that way.

This seems odd to me, I never informed my car insurer that I held an HGV licence, they never asked.