Declaring windscreen claims

faddy

Over the last 48 hours I've learnt from this forum that:

a) you have to declare windscreen claims when seeking quotes
b) a lot of people don't know this

I'm wondering how insurers discover that you've failed to declare a windscreen claim, given that they apparently don't show on the CUE database and, in my limited experience, aren't shown on renewal letters?

Quentin

They have ways and means!

eg. Although you haven't seen it on your renewal letters, this is becoming more prevalent.

See this post: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/64403321#Comment_64403321

All these people you have found who don't know that insurers ask you to list all claims must be "choosing" not to know what a claim is!

When you apply for insurance you confirm you have told the truth. If you lie, then this breach allows them to void the policy, should they consider you were trying to get a cheaper premium by lying.

forgotmyname

Because when you report any incident or claim they mark it on the shared database. Or saved from your insurance quotes when playing with the comparison sites.

faddy

forgotmyname wrote: »

Because when you report any incident or claim they mark it on the shared database.

"CUE Motor includes incidents (other than windscreen breakage) reported against private car and motorcycle policies issued in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man"

http://www.uk.experian.com/insurance/cue/shared/html/cue_mnu_overview.htm

Quentin

The CUE database won't be the only database insurers have access to.

eg. A number of insurers run numerous brands, all of which will have access to their sister companies database.

faddy

Quentin wrote: »

All these people you have found who don't know that insurers ask you to list all claims must be "choosing" not to know what a claim is!

I was one of these people until 48 hours ago! Windscreen claims don't seem like claims because you usually have no direct contact with the insurer and they don't usually affect NCD. I think it's a perfectly reasonable misunderstanding, and something that insurers should make clearer.

forgotmyname

Make it clearer than have you had ANY accidents, Claims or losses even where no claim has been made.

Its a more of a case that people dont mention it because it may increase premiums.
Previously people got away with it. But as the insurers start to share more data and its being shared these things are appearing more often.

faddy

Ok, so I now realise that when I took out my current policy 12 months ago, I failed to declare a windscreen replacement two years prior to that. Better to let sleeping dogs lie or tell my insurers now, before renewal?

(I've had a further glass claim, for a side window, this year. Having claimed via my insurer's "Glassline", should I have reported the break-in direct to the insurer as well?)

Quentin

When you reported to glassline, that will end up getting reported to your insurer direct (either immediately, or when the invoice turns up)

It's your call over the undisclosed earlier claim, if it's coming to the end of the 12 months maybe renew with a different insurer and come clean on a new slate.

faddy

Quentin wrote: »

It's your call over the undisclosed earlier claim, if it's coming to the end of the 12 months maybe renew with a different insurer and come clean on a new slate.

If I disclose it to current insurer, what reaction would you anticipate:

- higher renewal premium?
- higher renewal premium + demand for top-up of this year's premium?
- cancellation?

faddy

forgotmyname wrote: »

Make it clearer than have you had ANY accidents, Claims or losses even where no claim has been made.

Its a more of a case that people dont mention it because it may increase premiums.
Previously people got away with it. But as the insurers start to share more data and its being shared these things are appearing more often.

I'm guessing that you work or have worked in the insurance industry?

I like to think of myself as a reasonably bright chap, but it had simply never occurred to me to declare a glass claim. A replacement windscreen doesn't feel like a claim, it feels like buying one from Autoglass for the bargain price of £[amount of excess]. And it feels as much like an "incident" as getting a puncture, which I don't expect my insurer to care about.

It really wouldn't hurt them to put "(including windscreen claims)" in their questions - it may be an option in a drop-down list, but you don't look at the list unless you know you've something to declare.