Privilege car insurance have NOT renewed. I didn't choose manual renewal

brotein

Hi everyone, I have taken out a policy with privilege and haven't received any of the renewal letters they claim they sent to me. Now I can't see anywhere on the policy documents that we chose to go for a manually renewal. So auto is default.

They say that sometimes they cannot automatically renew however if they can't they will mention this in the renewal letter.

I have been sent a conditional offer by police for driving without insurnace or I have to go to court. I know that it is the responsibility of the driver to insure the car, but who checks this every single day? It wasn't even cancelled, it expired and haven't renewed, no notification whatsoever. And no indication of the policy being Manual when taking out the policy or in the documents...

Do you think I should appeal against this? What do you think my chances are?

[Deleted User]

Approximately zero.

Quentin

Assuming you didn't have insurance in place when stopped/caught then nil

dunstonh

I have taken out a policy with privilege and haven't received any of the renewal letters they claim they sent to me

If you bought it online, then they are normally delivered by email to the email address used during the original sign up.

Now I can't see anywhere on the policy documents that we chose to go for a manually renewal. So auto is default.

You wouldnt expect it on the policy document.

They say that sometimes they cannot automatically renew however if they can't they will mention this in the renewal letter.

That follows expectation. The FOS have made it common knowledge to firms that the cover letter must state what the person has to do at renewal. It must be in plain text and in the cover letter, not in the additional documentation they issue.

I know that it is the responsibility of the driver to insure the car, but who checks this every single day?

I doubt anyone checks everyday but most people have a general idea of when their insurance is due. Or they record it in an annual task on their phone/computer or use one of the many phone apps that record details and dates about your car etc.

Do you think I should appeal against this? What do you think my chances are?

the police do not generally accept "whoops" as an excuse.

sheramber

brotein wrote: »

Hi everyone, I have taken out a policy with privilege and haven't received any of the renewal letters they claim they sent to me. Now I can't see anywhere on the policy documents that we chose to go for a manually renewal. So auto is default.

They say that sometimes they cannot automatically renew however if they can't they will mention this in the renewal letter.

I have been sent a conditional offer by police for driving without insurnace or I have to go to court. I know that it is the responsibility of the driver to insure the car, but who checks this every single day? It wasn't even cancelled, it expired and haven't renewed, no notification whatsoever. And no indication of the policy being Manual when taking out the policy or in the documents...

Do you think I should appeal against this? What do you think my chances are?

You don't need to check it every day- only when it is due for renewal. Did you not notice it was not renewed-
no new certificate of insurance?
no money debited from your account?

brotein

dunstonh wrote: »

If you bought it online, then they are normally delivered by email to the email address used during the original sign up.

The only thing I have received was the welcome email and then the monthly newsletters through email. The documents came through post but doesn't say anything about manual renewal.

dunstonh wrote: »

You wouldnt expect it on the policy document.

I totally understand but even they state in their policy booklet online that default is automatic renewal unless the customer wants it manual. Or there are circumstances which they cannot offer auto renewal such as the payment method does not work for them etc. And in those circumstances they say that they will discuss that with you.

dunstonh wrote: »

That follows expectation. The FOS have made it common knowledge to firms that the cover letter must state what the person has to do at renewal. It must be in plain text and in the cover letter, not in the additional documentation they issue.

To be honest I have checked this for the 3 previous policies I have, I still keep their documents.. and I haven't seen anything about automatic or manual renewals in any of their documents.

dunstonh wrote: »

I doubt anyone checks everyday but most people have a general idea of when their insurance is due. Or they record it in an annual task on their phone/computer or use one of the many phone apps that record details and dates about your car etc.

I agree this is solely my fault but no one else's and I usually do create reminders for things like this. But the reason I haven't done it for this is because I thought the best time to look for insurance is when receiving the renewal letter.

dunstonh wrote: »

the police do not generally accept "whoops" as an excuse.

I had no bad intent and never drove without insurance until now. The only reason I wanted to go court was because my premium is going to be sky high now. But it seems risky to go court trusting only the judge's initiative... Otherwise I will have to pay the court fees and douct that is going to be cheap..

Quentin

Before opting for court get legal advice!