Insurance Premium Increase by 90% after Non-Fault claim!

bturner93

I am a 22 year old software engineer from Southampton, and I was involved in an incident in late July 2015, whereby a third party drove into the back of my car whilst I was stationary at traffic lights. The incident was settled after he admitted he was at fault and his insurance company paid for the repairs. My insurance company was not involved at all in this, as my side was handled by Audi Accident and Repair. I was under the impression that all was well, as I was assured by Direct Line (my insurance company) that my no claims would not be affected due to the nature and manner of resolution of the incident.

After my car was repaired (not until the 29th of September I would like to add) I was under the impression that all was well and the account would soon be settled, with a refund being issued to me for the insurance I had to take out for the hire car I was provided with while mine was being repaired. Aside from the account being settled, I have just purchased a new car which I am due to pick up before the end of next week.

When I initially looked for insurance, I forgot to put in the non-fault claim and was getting quotes in the region of £1,000 which I was expecting given the vehicle I have bought. However I then realized that I needed to add the non-fault claim, and upon doing so began receiving quotes in the region of £1,985+!

I would very much appreciate any advice anyone may have on dealing with this subject, as I strongly object to a practical doubling of my premiums due to something that was not my fault. I consider myself to be quite a careful and considerate driver, and just because of my age and the cars I choose to drive, I do not feel it is at all fair to penalize me to this extent. I would fully understand an increase of maybe £100 or even £200, as I would put this down to 'one of those life things that just are' but the fact that instead of a 10, 20 or 30% increase, I'm being slammed with a 90% 'cuz we're the insurance company and there aint nothing you can do about it' charge, I just don't feel its right to stay silent and obediently hand over vast quantities of unwarranted cash.

Thanks in advance guys!

Retrogamer

Have you looked at other insurance companies as well? IIRC approx 60% don't increase the premium for a non fault accident.

Quentin

By changing your driving history between quotes (from "no" to "yes" regarding any claims) you may have triggered some anti fraud alarm meaning your subsequent quotes have been hiked as you have changed your profile - they don't like it when they see you as possibly manipulating quotes by missing out material facts about your history.


You could try a local broker (not swinton) to see what they can do (if the quotes are the same or more expensive then at least you will know the online quotes are correct)


Can't you simply change over car on your existing policy rather than take out a new one (if you are cancelling your policy, then you won't get any NCD for the part year)

mufi

Quentin wrote: »

You could try a local broker (not swinton) to see what they can do (if the quotes are the same or more expensive then at least you will know the online quotes are correct)

I often see the caveat 'not Swinton' on here - could you enlarge, please.


Apologies for thread highjack.

rs65

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews11389.html

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/insurance/2014/06/are-you-a-swinton-insurance-customer-beware-its-pre-renewal-deposit

dacouch

mufi wrote: »

I often see the caveat 'not Swinton' on here - could you enlarge, please.


Apologies for thread highjack.

Imagine if Currys / PC World ran an Insurance Broker and you'll have an idea

socrates

This very thing happened to me - I was on the verge of mounting a Test Case - citing the fact that after a non fault claim one should be returned to the same position they would have been had there not been an accident - including and up to renewal.

At the last minute Privelege came up with a comparable deal to my previous years policy

I think a petition should be started and either the UK Government or Europe should legislate on this after all the Insurance Companies are running a cartel