Bullied Into paying more £ to company

OverlandLandy

Here we go... Long story but
My Partner had a head on bump with our neighbour on a private road in June of last year. My partner had stopped as she saw the neighbour coming (at her usual excessive speed!).. the neighbour drove strait into her. Our car suffered a broken number plate.. the Neighbour got her car written off!

So last week my partner took out insurance on an additional vehicle for her business. Everything was declared including the incident in June last year. the policy was taken out and paid for.

A week later the Insurance company sent a really very nasty accusational (almost bullying) letter sating that the incident had not been disclosed (in fact it had and was even noted on their policy documents!). They 'Demanded' an increased premium (going from £350 to almost £900).

Next day another letter cam in and demanded another additional premium for the my partners other vehicle (another £250 for a £300 policy that expires in July 2014). Again saying they were not aware of the 'incident'. Again this was nonsense as we had letters from them at the time asking for the details and confirming that we were not making a claim!

SO
The second policy was duly cancelled (less a £50 'admin fee' and one month of insurance cover as they will only refund 'full months'). My partner then took out a policy WITH THE SAME UNDERWRITER.. at a cheaper cost with another broker!

She then questioned the demand for more £ on the existing policy and was told that she had 'no choice' and that if she did not pay the policy would be cancelled and she would be black listed (or words to that effect) as a not would would be put on the insurance data base to say that she had a policy cancelled!!
So she paid the Demand..

The company has been really nasty and has lied to her and have contradicted their own staff and policy documents etc... she has been really upset and has been in tears about it as they bullied her into paying extra. She told them everything at the time of the bump and with the new policy but has been treated like some sort of criminal.

Where do we go from here?
The company said there was no point in complaining and they could 'do what they wanted'! They said that they can demand extra payments at any time they want! They said it was not them but the Underwriter (but the second company spoke directly to the underwriter and advised that they had no knowledge of any issues or additional payments!).

We are not idiots but we feel very frustrated at what feels like harassment bullying and extortion by a pretty big name in the insurance business!

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Bantex_2

Was liability accepted by the third party?

InsideInsurance

Put in a complaint with your evidence showing that the incidents had been correctly declared stating you will take the matter to the FOS if your not satisfied with the response.

If you arent happy with the response or they dont reply within 8 weeks you can then escalate to the FOS

OverlandLandy

Bantex wrote: »

Was liability accepted by the third party?

They said it was their fault at the time.. their insurer then wrote to my partner saying it was 100% her fault. My neighbours husband (a Solicitor) said he sorted it out. The Neighbours Insurance company did not pursue a claim against my partner.
My partner stated at the time what happened and that she would not even accept a 50/50.

It turns out that the claim was 'still open' despite it being 9 months ago! and it was 'out of time' whatever that meant?

For what it is worth we have now installed front facing cameras in all our vehicles as we have had several near misses with the neighbour as have others.

Bantex_2

OverlandLandy wrote: »

They said it was their fault at the time.. their insurer then wrote to my partner saying it was 100% her fault. My neighbours husband (a Solicitor) said he sorted it out. The Neighbours Insurance company did not pursue a claim against my partner.
My partner stated at the time what happened and that she would not even accept a 50/50.

It turns out that the claim was 'still open' despite it being 9 months ago! and it was 'out of time' whatever that meant?

For what it is worth we have now installed front facing cameras in all our vehicles as we have had several near misses with the neighbour as have others.

That probably explains it, unless it was declared as an "at fault" claim.

dacouch

What no claims bonus did you declare?

magpiecottage

If the incident was declared at the point of renewal then I agree with InsideInsurance. The insurer knew the terms on which it was accepting the contract and cannot change it part way through.

The complaint should also be against the signatory on the letter.

Do name and shame the insurer!

OverlandLandy

dacouch wrote: »

What no claims bonus did you declare?

Full NCD - 9 years+

They know about the incident - and accepted the full NCD.. noted it in the policy that they issued.. etc..

The policy was with a very large Commercial Vehicle Company...