Mistake on car insurance application - enormous charges

Aquamania

dacouch wrote: »

Technically the comparison site is liable for ensuring your data is transferred over correctly...

Technically that is baloney.

The intended insured is responsible that they purchase insurance that meets their needs, and so they also need to check that the proposal form is completed correctly.
Comparison sites often do not pass on entirely correct information, often because the nature of a campoarison site means they cannot ask every individual question every insurer asks. So sometimes they ask a more general question, the answer to which may not fully meet the insurers questions.

e.g. comparison site asks:
Are there any other vehicles in the insured's household. If so how many
Answer: Yes, One.

Particular insurer asks 2 separate questions
Are there any other cars in the insured's household. If so how many

and

Are there any motorcycles in the insured's household. If so how many

As the comparison site does not know the specific answer to the specific questions, it can only make a best call.


Similarly, the comparison site may not even include a particular question a particular insurer asks.

So I know you don't like comparison sites (since they essentially do much of your job), but reality is they do save lot of people lots of money, but it is important the customer checks the details on the proposal form carefullly, and corrects any errors, before going ahead and purchasing.

If you want to get technical, then term 2.3 of moneysupermarket.com (who are the owners of this site) says:

2.3 Please be aware that nothing on this Website is, or shall be deemed to constitute, financial, investment or other advice or a recommendation or endorsement by us in respect of any product or service referred to on this Website. Information on this Website is provided for general information purposes only, should not be relied upon by you and is provided so that you can select the product or service that you feel is most appropriate to meet your needs. You should always check the suitability, adequacy and appropriateness of the product or service that is of interest to you and it is your sole decision whether to obtain or refrain from obtaining any product or service. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability, adequacy or appropriateness of any product or service referred to on this Website, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice before you obtain any product or service via this Website.

and term 5.3

5.3 We do not monitor, verify or endorse data, material and information submitted or provided by third parties which is included on the Website and you should be aware that such information may be inaccurate, incomplete or out of date. In particular, we do not monitor, verify or endorse the information or quotations collected from the product and service providers as presented to you on the Website. We are not responsible for any data, material or information included on the Website which has been provided by third parties.

and term 7.4

7.4 Before you obtain any product or service from a third party, you must check all of the information, content, material or data held by the third party about you to ensure it is correct, complete, accurate and not misleading and that you have disclosed all relevant facts. It is your responsibility to identify and correct any mistakes or errors in the information, content, material or data held by the third party about you before you obtain any product or service. Failure to do so could invalidate the product or service provided by the third party. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage you may suffer or incur if any information, content, material or data held by the third party about you is not correct, complete and accurate or if it is misleading or if you have failed to disclose all relevant facts.

and term 14.3

14.3 Before you apply for any insurance product, it is very important that you check all of the information held by the insurance provider about you to ensure it is true, correct, complete and accurate, that it is not misleading and that you have disclosed all relevant facts. It is your responsibility to identify and correct any mistakes or errors in the information held by the insurance provider about you before you apply for any product. Failure to correct any mistakes or errors in the information held by the insurance provider about you or a failure to disclose all relevant facts could invalidate your chosen insurance product.

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/legal/terms.asp

I would expect all other comparison sites to include similar terms

In this case, the OP did re-confirm everything on the actual proposal form before going ahead and purchasing the product.

vaio

Not sure about baloney and whilst the comparison sites can include whatever wording they like the FOS veiw is clear.....

if insurers choose to sell via the comparison sites then they are responsible for correct questions being asked and the correct transmission of information from the comparison site to the insurer

Aquamania

vaio wrote: »

Not sure about baloney and whilst the comparison sites can include whatever wording they like the FOS veiw is clear.....

if insurers choose to sell via the comparison sites then they are responsible for correct questions being asked and the correct transmission of information from the comparison site to the insurer

Very limited view for the reasons I have explained.

Who are "they"? From that rather simplistic approach, I would say it could be "the insurers"

vaio

Yep, "they" is indeed the insurer, "rather simplistic" is good where insurance is concerned, then everybody know where they stand.....

Punters job is to answer the questions honestly.

Insurers job is to ask the correct questions and properly record/collect/transmit the answers and this also applies if the insurer uses a comparison site or broker as a sales channel

FOS Decision Reference DRN5114595 covers asking questions

.....If an insurer chooses to accept applications via the comparison website I find it has a responsibility to ensure clear questions have been asked before it agrees to offer any applicant a policy.....

and there is an earlier case that covers transmission of answers (which ICBA to search out for you)

my_names_dave

With some insurers you are passed to their website to complete the transaction though, with a final opportunity to review all the details. In many cases it's not the details that are the problem, but the 'assumptions' made by each insurer. The comparison sites should be doing more to clarify all this as they are earning a fortune from this business, but are seen as the 'good guys' by consumers as they appear to be saving them money. All complaints seem to be directed at the individual insurers / brokers, who have really done nothing other than allow the client to purchase one of their policies by themselves.

KatieDee

It was completely my fault for not being more vigilant and triple checking my details...I have paid £25 to learn this lesson and would advise others to check a million times (or just once...but really thoroughly!) before paying.

I am due to insure my car this evening and will be calling and paying over the telephone to ensure there are no mistakes. Thanks for your help everybody