Car Insurance - do I declare this?

horsepills

I'm looking to buy insurance for a new car (picking up on Monday), and I'm using comparison sites.

Trouble is, the wife has just received a letter "notice of intention to prosecute" or something from the police. She's been caught speeding just a few mph over the limit and is looking at a few points, etc... I suspect (or speed awareness course).

I'm not sure what to declare when getting insurance quotes though, as technically she's only so far been asked to confirm she's the driver. When asked if she's had any convictions, etc.. in the last 5 years do I still say "none"? Any ideas?

Pajoma

She hasn't currently got any convictions and might not even be convicted so I would say no

dacouch

Pajoma wrote: »

She hasn't currently got any convictions and might not even be convicted so I would say no

Insurers ask about pending convictions so it needs to be declared if the OP is asked if they have any convictions or pending convictions

loskie

Yes pending

stator

Take wife off insurance, problem solved :beer:

Pajoma

dacouch wrote: »

Insurers ask about pending convictions so it needs to be declared if the OP is asked if they have any convictions or pending convictions

Agree it's safer to declare if they ask about pending convictions but its a stupid term as there's no such thing as a pending conviction.

She might not be convicted. To consider it a pending conviction would be to assume that she's guilty before she actually is convicted

Quentin

Pajoma wrote: »

Agree it's safer to declare if they ask about pending convictions but its a stupid term as there's no such thing as a pending conviction.

She might not be convicted. To consider it a pending conviction would be to assume that she's guilty before she actually is convicted

No.


If you are asked about "pending" convictions then it's clear you haven't yet been punished!


Eg. Axa define it on their website so there's no misunderstanding:

What does 'pending' mean?


It means a driving offence which could result in a conviction, endorsement or fixed penalty notice has taken place but the punishment hasn't been decided yet.

Pajoma

Quentin wrote: »

No.


If you are asked about "pending" convictions then it's clear you haven't yet been punished!


Eg. Axa define it on their website so there's no misunderstanding:

As I said if asked about pending then it's safer to declare.

And just because Axa define it, it doesn't make it right. They are effectively using a guilty until proven innocent stance.

It is a stupid term and unfair in my opinion.

dacouch

Pajoma wrote: »

As I said if asked about pending then it's safer to declare.

And just because Axa define it, it doesn't make it right. They are effectively using a guilty until proven innocent stance.

It is a stupid term and unfair in my opinion.

All Insurers ask about pending convictions

Quentin

Pajoma wrote: »

It is a stupid term and unfair in my opinion.

Opinions on the stupidity of a question don't count when it comes to applying for insurance. You must answer truthfully.


If you consider it unfair when you get asked it you can complain about the unfairness, and escalate to the FOS for their adjudication if you are unhappy with the reply. (At no cost to you)


(But tell the truth till your complaint is resolved or expect the consequences if/when you get found out.)

Pajoma

Have I said anywhere that someone shouldn't tell the truth or fail to divulge information to an insurer.

It was simply an opinion on the practice of having to declare a pending prosecution which in my view is unfair.

FYI, I own an insurance brokers and was an underwriter within a lloyds reinsurer for 8 years prior.