Insurance won't renew = renewal refused?

NewFolder

Just a quick question about insurance renewal and the "have you ever.." question.

If an insurer can't offer you a renewal, because, for example, they only cover vehicles under 20 years old, and yours is 21 years at renewal, does this mean that you have to answer yes to the question "Have you ever had insurance cancelled or had a renewal refused" or is does this question mean something different?

dunstonh

does this mean that you have to answer yes to the question "Have you ever had insurance cancelled or had a renewal refused"

If that is the question asked then you answer yes. However, if it doesnt mention renewal then you do not say yes.

Quentin

NewFolder wrote: »

Just a quick question about insurance renewal and the "have you ever.." question.

If an insurer can't offer you a renewal, because, for example, they only cover vehicles under 20 years old, and yours is 21 years at renewal, does this mean that you have to answer yes to the question "Have you ever had insurance cancelled or had a renewal refused" or is does this question mean something different?

In the example you give the answer is no.

NewFolder

Any further explanation? You have both given different answers

EdGasket

I think the answer is no. The question means have you ever been refused insurance where the insurer would normally cover the risk for most people. They are really asking have you done anything dodgy in the past and been found out.

Quentin

NewFolder wrote: »

Any further explanation? You have both given different answers

The answer you were given in post #2 is incorrect.

dunstonh

post #3 is incorrect.

The key is in the wording of the question asked by the insurer.

Have you ever had insurance cancelled or had a renewal refused

That would require you to declare a cancellation or a renewal refused. If it didn't mention renewal then you would not declare a refused renewal. You must answer the question as it is asked. No more, no less. Almost certainly, in the case of you being outside criteria, it would have absolutely no impact on another policy.

Quentin

dunstonh wrote: »

post #3 is incorrect.

The key is in the wording of the question asked by the insurer.



That would require you to declare a cancellation or a renewal refused. If it didn't mention renewal then you would not declare a refused renewal. You must answer the question as it is asked. No more, no less. Almost certainly, in the case of you being outside criteria, it would have absolutely no impact on another policy.

Have you even read the query?


The scenario is:

If an insurer can't offer you a renewal, because, for example, they only cover vehicles under 20 years old, and yours is 21 years at renewal......

So the insurer is not "refusing" to renew.


The insurer does not offer any cover for any 21 year old cars!


So there will be no "refusal" as there will be no offer to cover!


As you are determined to argue, despite being so clearly wrong, the OP is undoubtedly confused, so might want to put this question in writing to the insurer rather than watch this tennis ball being batted back and forth!

dunstonh

So the insurer is not "refusing" to renew.

It is refusing to offer renewal because the car is outside their age range. That is a refusal.

As you are determined to argue, despite being so clearly wrong, the OP is undoubtedly confused, so might want to put this question in writing to the insurer rather than watch this tennis ball being batted back and forth!

As you are determined to argue, despite being so clearly wrong, the OP would be better to let the insurance company decide. A phone call will be recorded and offer the protection required should a change of mind occur later. It is always best to answer the question asked correctly. As I have already said, it almost certainly wont make any difference and they will offer cover. However, the OP would have correctly answered the question the insurer asks and not suffer any consequences further down the road.

In complaints about disclosure, the ombudsman states that it looks at the question asked and whether the answer was in line with that. So, why risk not answering the question the insurer is asking and guessing that they dont really mean that. Let the insurer decide if they mean it or not.

losgiganteskid

Its quite interesting really as in the case of the question relating to "has any insurer etc etc...increased your premium ? - given that you usually are unaware as to what their "normal" rated premium is how would you know whether it had been increased or not ?

Quentin

dunstonh wrote: »

It is refusing to offer renewal because the car is outside their age range. That is a refusal.



As you are determined to argue, despite being so clearly wrong, the OP would be better to let the insurance company decide. A phone call will be recorded and offer the protection required should a change of mind occur later. It is always best to answer the question asked correctly. As I have already said, it almost certainly wont make any difference and they will offer cover. However, the OP would have correctly answered the question the insurer asks and not suffer any consequences further down the road.

In complaints about disclosure, the ombudsman states that it looks at the question asked and whether the answer was in line with that. So, why risk not answering the question the insurer is asking and guessing that they dont really mean that. Let the insurer decide if they mean it or not.

You are so wrong! It is NOT a recordable "refusal".

(And I already suggested that instead of this boring tennis the OP asks the question (though in writing - you never heard of "nothing has been noted regarding the telephone conversation in question" excuse trotted out when a customer wants to rely on a phone call?)

You tell us it makes no difference if unnecessarily answering "yes" to this.

In fact as soon as you answer yes, the majority of online insurers end the application at that stage!

The issue does not involve the policyholder individually, but the insurers business decision never to insure cars older than 20 years.

Thus by your reasoning all their customers with cars that reach their 21st year will have a "refusal to renew" on their record.

When in fact all that will have happened is the company's corporate decision not to enter that area of insurance means they cannot even offer a renewal! Just as some companies who don't insure certain models would not record a "refusal" against anyone asking for a quote!