Help with Car Insurance!!

JNutts

Hi,

I recently got a quote with Bell for £1200 with their 'black box' to be fitted for 3 months.

I called them up to just discuss it some more when they asked me if I'd been involved in any accidents within the last 3 years because on their system it shows I've made a claim. I said I was but I wasn't at fault and it's all been sorted out, which it has. They then added that to the quote and it bumped my premium up to £2100...absolutely ridiculous.

The only 'claim' I did make was a personal injury claim which is still ongoing but I didn't think that would show up, never mind bump it up so much!

I never even told my insurer, everything has gone through the TP.

Any advice or is there nothing I can do about this?

Thanks

dacouch

The advice is that it's really really important to answer any questions correctly.

If they ask if you've been involved in any accidents, you need to answer the question correctly

JNutts

I understand that but I shouldn't be down on the system for making a claim when I didn't? It's ridiculous.

I can't believe because some moron hit me, it's bumped it up by £900.

paddyandstumpy

So you have made a claim, albeit non fault; and thought you didn't need to disclose it because it "wouldn't show up"?

As mentioned by dacouch if you were asked about any accidents, you should disclose all of them.

So, back to your question. Insurers use different information and rate different factors to different levels when calculating a risk.

Following the late disclosure of the (non fault) claim, the rate has increased. The £2.1k is their new rate (probably not the most competitive any more), consider the cost to cancel and replace elsewhere, or pay the difference and be done.

Don't expect any leeway on cancellation fees though, ultimately you non disclosed and don't like the revised terms (based on the correct information).

Jamiesmum

You said the claim has been sorted out, then said it's still ongoing?

Unresolved claims will cost you more than a non fault accident, as a solid decision hasn't been made.

JNutts

Sorry I meant my car has been sorted out, I've got it back fully repaired.

The only thing ongoing is my personal injury claim. So what you're saying is once the claim has been settled and I've received compensation my premium will go down?

paddyandstumpy

It may. You'll need to ask the insurer if the claim is rated as fault until settled.

If it's already input as a non fault, the premium is the premium.

JNutts

Ok I'll speak to them tomorrow. I would imagine it's already down as non fault though unfortunately.

Thanks

paddyandstumpy

Then perhaps consider an alternative policy, just bear in mind the cost of the cover had to date, plus a cancellation fee. If the next cheapest quote is cheaper by more than this amount it's worth changing.
Also be mindful any NCB accrued so far in the policy term will be lost.

JNutts

I'm currently with Hastings who won't insure me on the new car I'm looking at due to age, etc.

Bell/Admiral/Elephant are the cheapest companies that will insure me.

forgotmyname

You had an accident that you failed to declare surprised they didnt mark it down as fraud and tell you where to go.