Insurance higher despite accidents not our fault

gjfromuk

Does anyone know if there are any campaigns about the practice of Insurance companies increasing insurance premiums of motorists even when accidents are not their fault.
I think it's unlikely the average motorist know this - did anyone on here, because you wouldn't know unless you had submitted without declaring any accidents? Mine was going to be increased by over 50%!!!

Elephant (part of Admiral) quoted me £470 online, but it wouldn't take payment online. A telephone call revealed they said I had 3 undeclared accidents within last 5 years.

I was named driver on my wife's insurance, my wife was the driver on 2 of those accidents, but most critically, NONE of those 3 accidents were down to negligence from us as drivers... completely blameless.

When I pointed this out on the call to them, she insurance advisor told me, "Statistically, if a driver has an accident - even if it is not their fault, they are more likely to have an accident in the future that will be their fault."

When i pointed out that was grossly unfair to individual drivers to be penalised by a generalised statistic and surely the Insurance company recovered their losses from the parties that are to blame.

Then she reeled out the most infuriating response, "That's the way insurance works". At that point I just said 'unbelievable!' and put the phone down. I did not insure with them!

I have just logged a formal complaint as despite the unfairness of making innocent motorists pay for others crashing into them, I consider a 50% plus increase to be excessive.

Once I get a response I will be submitting the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman - but they only deal with individual complaints. They advised I need to contact the Financial Regulatory Conduct Authority.

So I will do that, but I am looking for others who would have the same objections so that it has some gravity... I've got to think every motorist would feel the same as me!?

missile

I would suggest most MSE forum members will be well aware. There have been numerous posts highlighting those who have a no fault accident represent a higher risk and base premium will likely be increased.

I had 3 undeclared accidents within last 5 years.

Why should my premiums increase to cover those.

Cash-Strapped.T32

I don't wish to come across as one of those argumentative posters you sometimes see, but isn't it obvious to anyone who has insurance that declaring an incident (whether fault or not) will increase future premiums?

DUTR

Cash-Strapped.T32 wrote: »

I don't wish to come across as one of those argumentative posters you sometimes see, but isn't it obvious to anyone who has insurance that declaring an incident (whether fault or not) will increase future premiums?

You don't but premiums do not always go up, however readers need to be aware that it is a no claim discount not a no blame incident, so in effect you best get in the habit of avoiding an incident even if it were to be the other persons fault.

unholyangel

gjfromuk wrote: »

When I pointed this out on the call to them, she insurance advisor told me, "Statistically, if a driver has an accident - even if it is not their fault, they are more likely to have an accident in the future that will be their fault."

When i pointed out that was grossly unfair to individual drivers to be penalised by a generalised statistic and surely the Insurance company recovered their losses from the parties that are to blame.

Thats all insurance is - calculating your risk based on statistical analysis. Your personal driving history is reflected in your no claims bonus.

Side note: make sure you are declaring these incidents to any prospective insurers else increased premiums may be the least of your worries.

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]You could make the same augment in favour of all 17 year olds, just because some are a boy racers does not mean I am.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I don't think the two claims where you were a named driver should count though, since you were neither the driver nor the policy holder.[/FONT]

Aretnap

If your car is stolen that's not your fault, but it will still affect your premium next year.

And if there a rash of car thefts or accidents in your area that's not your fault either, but it will still affect your premium...

If you're young and inexperienced or old and doddery those things aren't your fault, but guess what? They still have an impact on your risk to an insurer.

Your car insurance premium is not supposed to be a moral judgement on you as an individual or a punishment for past misdeeds - it's just a company's cold hearted estimate of the risk you pose to them. If you don't like it shop around - other companies may take a different view. Though to be honest with three accidents in three years between you I sort of see why you might look "accident-prone" regardless of who got the blame for individual incidents. That's more than I've managed in my life.

Aretnap

Tom99 wrote: »

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I don't think the two claims where you were a named driver should count though, since you were neither the driver nor the policy holder.[/FONT]

If he's only insuring the car for himself to drive them these incidents should not need to be declared - he will have been asked if he has had any accidents or made any claims in the last 3 years, and he neither had the accidents not made the claims (assuming his wife was the policyholder and the driver).

However if he is also insuring his wife as a named driver on his car then he should have declared them as he will also have been asked about her driving history.

rudekid48

Complaining to the FOS because an insurer charged you more after you lied, sorry, failed to declare accidents? What a great use of their time that will be.

Marvel1

gjfromuk wrote: »

When I pointed this out on the call to them, she insurance advisor told me, "Statistically, if a driver has an accident - even if it is not their fault, they are more likely to have an accident in the future that will be their fault."

Makes no sense to me either, mine was parked outside my house!

Mercdriver

gjfromuk wrote: »

Does anyone know if there are any campaigns about the practice of Insurance companies increasing insurance premiums of motorists even when accidents are not their fault.
I think it's unlikely the average motorist know this - did anyone on here, because you wouldn't know unless you had submitted without declaring any accidents? Mine was going to be increased by over 50%!!!

Elephant (part of Admiral) quoted me £470 online, but it wouldn't take payment online. A telephone call revealed they said I had 3 undeclared accidents within last 5 years.

I was named driver on my wife's insurance, my wife was the driver on 2 of those accidents, but most critically, NONE of those 3 accidents were down to negligence from us as drivers... completely blameless.

When I pointed this out on the call to them, she insurance advisor told me, "Statistically, if a driver has an accident - even if it is not their fault, they are more likely to have an accident in the future that will be their fault."

When i pointed out that was grossly unfair to individual drivers to be penalised by a generalised statistic and surely the Insurance company recovered their losses from the parties that are to blame.

Then she reeled out the most infuriating response, "That's the way insurance works". At that point I just said 'unbelievable!' and put the phone down. I did not insure with them!

I have just logged a formal complaint as despite the unfairness of making innocent motorists pay for others crashing into them, I consider a 50% plus increase to be excessive.

Once I get a response I will be submitting the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman - but they only deal with individual complaints. They advised I need to contact the Financial Regulatory Conduct Authority.

So I will do that, but I am looking for others who would have the same objections so that it has some gravity... I've got to think every motorist would feel the same as me!?

Have you told your present insurer (if they asked - and they always do in my experience) about these non fault accidents?

I'm guessing you haven't. In which case, good luck if your car gets written off and they do a bit of research. Remember that insurance companies don't make money by paying out. They would cancel your
cover, and chase you for reimbursement for any third party claims against you.