car insurance issue

jacquelineg_2

I have been with the same insurance broker for around 15 years ( not very MSE). House/car/travel/buy to let and now my Mum's house when she recently passed away.


I looked at the possibility of adding Mum's car to my policy as she'd had it for a long time and I couldn't part with it just yet. My broker couldn't do that and quoted £400 for an extra policy ( 16 year old polo).Mum's insurers said the policy needed to be cancelled. My broker told me that I was insured 3rd party for any car - and as I had only intended to use the car to keep the battery charged etc I thought that would be fine.


So in March (about 12 weeks after Mum died and a couple of days after her birthday) my car was being repaired and I took Mum's car. I was stopped by police and told the car wasn't insured. I explained that I was through my own car insurance. He took the details and went to check, but confirmed that I was not insured. I was stunned.


I was given a £205 fine and 6 points on my licence and he arranged to have the car confiscated. He told me to make arrangements to get home.


I tried to explain the situation and he just kept saying...at the end of the day you aren't insured. I hold my hands up (which I also said to him) that I must not have been insured, but I did make a genuine mistake. I also out this in writing with a letter confirming my continuous car insurance through the same company (never having lapsed for a day) for at least 15 years, never any claims, protected no claims bonus. The letter was never acknowledged even though I delivered it by hand. I paid the £205 and handed my licence in at the police station.


My insurance was up for renewal around the same time and the quote was £300, which I paid and I have now been asked, for a supplement of £250, so annual premium now of £550. I know that premiums have recently hiked, but this is a lot and a lot more than I expected.


My question is....because I made a genuine mistake and have held my hands up, do I now have to accept that I am categorised with people who go out in the certain knowledge they are breaking the law every day without car insurance? Does anybody have experience of an insurance company who will listen to individual cases? Or is that it for me now...If anybody is still reading this...thank you so much!!


I look forward to any advice you may have.

Quentin

In answer to your question, insurers don't differentiate between offenders who deliberately drive uninsured and offenders who drive uninsured and feel they have mitigating circumstances.

After following the MSE guide to getting cheap insurance it will be worth seeing if a local broker (not Swinton and probably not the one who misled you) can help get a better premium

jacquelineg_2

thanks for taking the time to reply. I suppose I just need to get on the phone now.