New Car - Won't Insure me due to 'no security device' and Charges

todayisagreatday

Long story short, I sold my car yesterday and due to collect another today. I've gone from an Audi TT to a Jeep Renegade. When I rung my insurance company NCI to change my details over they said they can't insure my new car, a 2015 Jeep Renegade as it doesn't have any security device fitted and AXA won't insure it. They couldn't provide any insurance for it so basically the only option was to cancel. They were very specific on saying they could not insure the vehicle due to it having no Thatcham security decide so literally I had no choice than to have to cancel my insurance. They have charged me £75 which includes various administration fees and I will get around £95 back which is a very small amount working on what the insurance was on the Audi and that I am only a couple of months into the insurance.

So, after specifically being told they couldn't provide insurance as it was Axa, not them, guess who I've just had insurance with - yep, you guessed it AXA. The registration bought up the vehicle and I selected 'factory fitted' security as having checked the Thatcham website I have confirmed it has Thatcham TC3 security (every model from Feb 2015 onwards has one). I've also confirmed with Thatcham that my model car has a security device factory fitted and spoken to AXA who have no issues.

So, I've emailed a complaint to NCI on the basis that they've given me wrong information and basically I've been charged for leaving when I had no choice to leave. Am I right to try and fight to get my fees back as they have basically given me incorrect information?

Edit - I have got my new (insurered) car now after some delays due to the insurance issue.

Carrot007

todayisagreatday wrote: »

I have confirmed it has Thatcham TC3 security (every model from Feb 2015 onwards has one). I've also confirmed with Thatcham that my model car has a security device factory fitted and spoken to AXA who have no issues.

So you made the mistake as you were unaware.


However are you sure. The thatcham site says mine does (well all model except one but that is not mine). It does not. Check somewhere reliable (like in the car!).

todayisagreatday

Carrot007 wrote: »

So you made the mistake as you were unaware.


However are you sure. The thatcham site says mine does (well all model except one but that is not mine). It does not. Check somewhere reliable (like in the car!).

What mistake, I told them it had one and they said it didn't! I spoke to dealership who I bought the car from who confirmed it had one too, the car has one infact the only people saying it didn't have one was the insurance company!

I'm sure it has a security device given immobilizers were compulsory after 1998 anyway and the car is 2015. To insure to it with AXA it asks what security decide it has and there is an option for 'factory fitted'.

Quentin

Whenever you want to change over the car on cover you need to check with your insurer that they are prepared to cover it - if not then you know you either cancel and take cover elsewhere or choose a car they do like


It's you who wanted to change the goalposts! They aren't bound to be prepared to cover it!

todayisagreatday

Quentin wrote: »

Whenever you want to change over the car on cover you need to check with your insurer that they are prepared to cover it - if not then you know you either cancel and take cover elsewhere or choose a car they do like


It's you who wanted to change the goalposts! They aren't bound to be prepared to cover it!

I get that but the information was completely wrong they gave.

Quentin

The decision whether to cover you was theirs - my point is don't expect that an insurer will be happy if you make changes to the cover originally requested!


Check before you buy a new car to save such a situation in the future.

todayisagreatday

Well given when I obtained quotes before buying the car they were one of the insurance companies who came up cheapest to then be told I couldn't be insured was a bit strange. I've logged a complaint.

Quentin

Again, my point is you need to ensure your insurer will cover any proposed changes to your existing policy before making the change - different policies may have different underwriter/different criteria for acceptance etc even with the same provider


But always worth making a complaint when you are unhappy with your insurer


If you are unhappy with their reply you can escalate to the FOS for their adjudication at no cost to you


Again always worth a try - irrespective of the rights/wrongs, some insurers are known to make a goodwill gesture to kill off a complaint rather than have to spend time and money dealing with the FOS