Automatic license to manual license caused massive increase in car insurance

duchess24

Hi guys,

I'm new to this site but looking for some advice on my car insurance. I have held an automatic license for almost 8 years, I have 7 years no claims on my policy and have never received a speeding ticket, had an accident etc. I have recently taken my manual driving test and passed (woohoo!) however, when I advised Hastings (my current car insurance provider) they are demanding an additional £375 on top of the £320 I have already paid on my policy due to my license upgrade. I understand that there would be an admin charge to amend my policy but after speaking with the DVLA who said that as far as they are concerned, I have been legally allowed to drive for 7 years without supervision, I am quite appalled that Hastings would require an extra £375! They are now saying that I am a new driver which is upsetting as I thought that upgrading my license would only improve my driving skills and I would be a lower risk. The other shock is that I still have my automatic vehicle and now my policy is double what I originally paid in May as I now have a new date printed on my photo card license! Almost feel penalised for gaining a new driving skill. I'm sure this not a common occurrence so could anyone shed light for me?

Many thanks in advance,

Layla

Quentin

You are a "new" driver of manual cars!


All you can do is shop around and see if its cost effective to cancel and take out a new policy elsewhere.

duchess24

Hi Quentin,

Yes I'm aware I'm a new driver of manual cars however whilst still driving my automatic car, an increase of this amount on my current policy seems quite absurd! They are basically saying, you've been driving an auto for 7 years, you own an automatic vehicle however because you now advised us that you can drive both transmissions, we will double your policy. Put it this way, I rang to advise them of the upgrade on my license and it was an extremely expensive phonecall! It almost feels like they are saying, now you have sat a new test - the 7 years driving experience you have must have been forgotten!

I think I shall look elsewhere as you've suggested!

Quentin

Ask them what the total cost of cancelling will be (and get them to confirm it in writing) before you jump

duchess24

Well I believe the cancellation fee is £45 and as I paid upfront I would lose 3 months of the premium so I need to clarify the amount due back to me but I think it is roughly £166 which would help go towards the cost of a new policy. Daren't even look to see how much it would be to insure a manual car as that was originally why I went in for my test!

rudekid48

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but if you knew back in May that you were going to take your manual test, then the thing to do at the time would have been to run quotes on the basis that you had a full manual licence and then see what the difference was with your auto only. This way you could have paid a bit more in May for your auto but saved on the increase when you passed. Had you done this then you probably wouldn't have gone with Hastings due to the price difference.

To be fair to them, they have quoted you a price based on the information given at the time, they haven't moved the goalposts, you have.

teddysmum

You are new to using a manual gearbox, so like any person completely new to driving ( starting with a manual car) are more likely to make a brake/clutch pedal mistake or stall due to incorrect gear selection (perhaps causing a rear shunt), making you more of a risk than someone who has driven a manual car for years.

duchess24

I understand that they will class me as a 'new driver' now however the policy I currently hold is for an automatic car which I have own and driven for 5 years and this is why I'm struggling to understand how they can warrant such an enormous increase on this existing policy. I could understand if I was switching to a manual vehicle but I haven't changed the vehicle etc, just the information about the license upgrade.
Just because I can now drive both transmissions, it doesn't automatically mean I have forgotten the 7 years I have been driving! Which is why the extra £375 is such an issue for me.

mauriphonic

Switch to Aviva who are only interested in when your provisional license was issued (or used to be)

rs65

duchess24 wrote: »

the policy I currently hold is for an automatic car which I have own and driven for 5 years and this is why I'm struggling to understand how they can warrant such an enormous increase on this existing policy. I could understand if I was switching to a manual vehicle but I haven't changed the vehicle etc, just the information about the license upgrade.
Just because I can now drive both transmissions, it doesn't automatically mean I have forgotten the 7 years I have been driving! Which is why the extra £375 is such an issue for me.

Completely agree. The only defence they could have is if you have 'driving others cars' on your policy.

Vote with your feet.

magpiecottage

Obviously you can move at renewal. For now, though, I suggest you simply make a complaint.

If they do not budge, take it to FOS. There is no charge to you for doing this.