Help me, insurance cancelled because of proof of no claims oversite

MYLITTLESISTERLOLA

I recently took out car insurance with a new provider, I was still under the illusion that companies shared info of no claims. I received a letter to say I need to provide it - so I e-mailed it to them. I don't regularly monitor my e-mails due to having 2 children with learning difficulties. Unknown to me I received an e-mail saying they needed my policy number. I didn't reply as I didn't see the e-mail. Today I got a letter saying they have cancelled my policy due to not getting proof of no claims - they did get it but just didn't have a policy number to attach it too. Now they want to charge me £55 for cancellation and an extra £400 for insurance as I now have a black mark due to my policy being cancelled. I'm sitting her in tears because I'm so upset by it all. What can I do ? Will this black mark be against me for the next 5 years - even though it was simply an oversite and I do have the relevant no claims.
Anyone have any ideas ?
I would be greatful for any help

McKneff

Give them a ring, ask if they will reinstate the policy and give them the details they want.



Not even sure about the cancellation fee, to be honest, they cancelled it, not you.


What are they saying the £400 insurance for.


Someone with more idea will be along soon to help, I'm sure.

hugoshavez

Who's the new insurer? Call them with the policy number and they should reinstate it without too much fuss. Post back to advise how you got on.

tberry6686

If they won't reinstate the original policy the the black mark may well stay with you for life as many/most insurers ask if you have ever had insurance cancelled.

ruggedtoast

Thats correct, you will never be able to answer no to the question as to whether you have ever had an insurance policy cancelled.

That said I imagine if you explain to them what has happened they will help you out.

MYLITTLESISTERLOLA

I have spend 2 hours on the phone with the insurer - they point blank refuse to re-instate policy. It is cancelled and as such if they start a new policy because the old policy has been cancelled it counts as a black mark against me, hence the £400 extra.
I sent the no claims e-mail proof on the 3rd March and they sent a reply stating they needs policy number a few hours later ( the e-mail I missed) they had a further 7 days to try to contact me but they failed to do so.
I accept 50% of the blame as I should have monitored the e-mail address but the fact that they made no further attempt to contact me and left me 5 days without insurance before I received the cancellation, I feel is unfair.
So frustrating as if they had called me a 2 minute phone call would have clarified things, and they also told me 21 days after policy set up they can apply for no claims proof from previous insurer, but they choose not to.
I spoke to someone who is a broker about the situation and she said it shouldn't count as an official cancellation on further policies as it was a simple paper exercise - I have the proof that the no claims I claimed to have is correct. Its not like I lied and failed to disclose something... anyone know if this is correct ?
I'm so angry at myself for such a simple mistake turning into such a big deal, please learn from my rather expensive mistake and always send and confirm your no claims proof has been received.

tberry6686

I'd be very dubious about it not being an official cancellation. If the Insurer has put it on the database as a cancelation then it will count as a cancelled policy and will need to be declared.

Not declaring it to a new insurer could result in an insurer voiding your policy in the event of an incident leaving you with a huge bill.

MYLITTLESISTERLOLA

I'm going to contact the ombudsman on Monday and see what they think. Thanks everyone for your views, I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[Deleted User]

Ombudsman is the best bet. They should not cancel a policy and then refuse to reinstate it for such a little thing as communication problems. Chances are once the ombusdman is involved they will be told to reinstate and there will be no black mark against you for having a policy cancelled, so try not to worry.

vaio

yep, but you need to exhaust the insurers complaints procedure before the FOS will take the case on

magpiecottage

vaio wrote: »

yep, but you need to exhaust the insurers complaints procedure before the FOS will take the case on

That is correct.

Look up the contact details to use to complain here.