Insurance higher despite accidents not our fault

vikingaero

gjfromuk wrote: »

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.

Therein lies your problem. Originally you were probably price led and went for one of the bottom feeders in the Insurance market - not just Elephant, but the whole Admiral Group.

I presume you have taken out cover with Elephant, they've trawled the CUE database for inaccurate declarations and sought to increase your premiums. They've essentially got you over a barrel.

Also did you declare any cover for additional accessories/modifications and if so are you aware of Admiral Groups Standard Parts Replacement Clause?

On the flip side most of us work for commercial organisations that seek to maximise revenue and profit - so does elephant.

custardy

Think about it this way. if you have watched dash cam videos you will see plenty of accidents where the blame isnt clear or the vehicle who actually caused it isnt the one who will be blamed from an insurance point of view.
Unless you do mega miles then 3 accidents is a lot in 5 years,could driving style be a contributory factor?
Thats how insurers look at it.

arcon5

So you had one of the accidents and didnt declare it when applying for insurance? Thats how i read it, in which case your lucky the payment didnt go through as youd now be looking at a cancelled policy and even higher premiums.

Even if incidents wasnt your fault doesnt mean your not a greater risk... could be that you live in a high risk area or that your not a defensive driver.

takman

cjdavies wrote: »

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

How does it not make sense? Your car was involved in an accident when it was parked outside your house. I bet you will continue to park your car there so there is a higher chance it will happen again because it has already happened once.

marlot

gjfromuk wrote: »

..."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."...

Yes, a few people at work seem to have more than their fair share 'non-fault' accidents. But very few accidents are entirely down to one party.

I've had a few cases where I've nearly caused an accident, but the other driver has taken avoiding action. And I'm very grateful to them.

I've also had a few cases where I've seen an incident unfolding, and held back/given extra room etc to avoid an accident. I could have insisted on my 'rights' or my 'right of way', but I'd rather not be in an accident.

I've now been over 30 years and close to half a million miles since my last accident. But not feeling arrogant - just grateful to the people who gave me space when I made a mistake and happy that I was able to do the same for others.

Returning to the topic ... on balance I think the insurance position isn't unreasonable.

dacouch

rudekid48 wrote: »

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.

In addition the Ombudsman will not entertain a complaint about the pricing policy of an Insurer.

If the OP does not like the way Admiral price their cover, they are welcome to use any other Insurer

iolanthe07

Many people just don't seem to understand that it is a no claim discount, not a no blame discount. Though three accidents in five years would throw up all sorts of red flags, and insurance companies really have a down on people who don't declare accidents, wherever fault lies (and that is rarely 100% certain).

Rotor

Have people successfully claimed for the increase in insurance after a no fault claim?

Under the law a person should be put back into the financial position they were in before the accident and suffering higher insurance bills is not being put in the same position

oldagetraveller

cjdavies wrote: »

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

If it were parked outside on a road rather than on your driveway (offroad) then that would up the risk of someone driving into it. No doubt result in a higher risk and higher premium.
One of the questions usually asked during application requires information as to where the car is parked a. during the day and b. at night.

agrinnall

If you are unhappy about the pricing policies of insurers you are perfectly at liberty to try to minimise the cost by taking out the minimum cover required by law and self insuring for any additional cover you require.