Hijacked by Car Insurance

powerlady

I have just contacted my car insurance company to inform them of a new change of address and foolishly admitted that I have just become unemployed. Their response as the broker (One Direct after an online search over a year ago) Firstly My Insurance Allianz won't insure me as unemployed, so they will cancel my policy and charge me a cancellation fee after having taken May's premium out today. Secondly the broker may be able to find me another insurance Company from their panel at an additional cost of approx. £1500!! I declined, as I haven't got that type of money.


I have 9 years NCB and was paying £492 (with premium tax £60pm)


Any suggestions???? To make things worse I have interviews lined up for tomorrow and next week, so I need my car!! AND
I sent my licence back to the DVLA for change of address and didn't photocopy, so I don't know what my valid points are......


Can it get any worse????

rev_henry

Sure you're not a housewife rather than unemployed? That sometimes works and is perfectly legitimate.

BillJones

I switched to being "of independent means" when not working. It didn't take me back to the employed cost, but not too far off. It had to be justifiable, but as above, check if you are allowed to pick a different description.

enfield_freddy

wine taster?

dacouch

rev_henry wrote: »

Sure you're not a housewife rather than unemployed? That sometimes works and is perfectly legitimate.

Not if you're claiming Job Seekers allowance

powerlady

I am genuinely unemployed and actively seeking employment. I live alone and so can't use the other excuse.

rev_henry

powerlady wrote: »

I am genuinely unemployed and actively seeking employment. I live alone and so can't use the other excuse.

Hmm. Are you skilled or trained as something? Although I've never tried it myself, I have heard you can put down your job title as something but still say you're unemployed. E.g. plumber but currently out of work.

Shows to the insurance company you're temporarily out of work, rather than a career benefit claimant, if you see what I mean. As I said, never tried it but worth investigating.

londonTiger

the insurance losers will say I'm the devil incarnate for this. Unless you're longterm unemployer why bother tell them that?

You're inbetween jobs. Get a new job ASAP and then inform the insurer of the change in occupation/employer.

rev_henry

londonTiger wrote: »

the insurance losers will say I'm the devil incarnate for this. Unless you're longterm unemployer why bother tell them that?

You're inbetween jobs. Get a new job ASAP and then inform the insurer of the change in occupation/employer.

I don't think that's unreasonable if its just for a couple of weeks and would hope the ombudsman would agree. If weeks turn into months though that's a different story...

dacouch

londonTiger wrote: »

the insurance losers will say I'm the devil incarnate for this. Unless you're longterm unemployer why bother tell them that?

You're inbetween jobs. Get a new job ASAP and then inform the insurer of the change in occupation/employer.

Not a good idea as there are a fair amount of Insurers who refuse to cover the unemployed. If you tried this on with them as a new customer and they discovered it which is not very difficult they would simply decline to pay your claim. That can cost you a serious amount of money if it's a car accident.

Even if the Insurers do accept the unemployed, if it's deemed you intentionally miss led the Insurer they can void the policy.

Take London Tigers advice if you want but they don't have a great history of giving good advice

powerlady

Thanks Guys, As I said I am genuinely out of work and actively seeking employment. Unemployment is not a career choice. Aviva are ringing me back today when I have found out how many points I have from my licence from the DVLA.
Lesson 1 - Honesty -always the best policy
Lesson 2 - Always photocopy important docs before sending them off for amendment
Lesson 3 - Things always seem better and less scary in the morning!!!
I have an interview this morning and so will sort out when I get back; hopefully Aviva won't penalize me too much and be reasonably priced. They have already told me unemployment isn't an issue, but I need the points issue sorting before I can get a quote.
Keep you posted.
Anybody know if Allianz who have just taken May's premium have to return it to me? They will cancel the policy and charge me a cancellation fee - Cheek!!