Car insurance - monthly payments not an option

tatartan

Dear all,
I have renewed my car insurance and always pay annually. However when paying today the car insurance company informed me they were unable to offer me monthly payments and that I should get my experian report to find out why. I am part of the credit club for MSE and I had a look, there is nothing on there that would worry me. I know the score is useless, but apart from not being a home owner they are essentially all "happy faces". Which I assume is a good thing.

As I pay annually this wouldn't worry me but I plan to become a first time buyer within the year so I am a little concerned. This isn't the first time, way back about 10 years ago vodafone declined me a phone contract and refused to say anything else. It feels like randomly companies decide to decline credit. Other than these two instances I have had not other issues with phone contracts. To be honest...I don't tend to need or use credit but do use my credit card and pay it off and have done for years - with the aim of getting some history of credit utillisation.

Any thoughts appreciated

[Deleted User]

Companies don't randomly decide to decline credit.  It makes no sense as a business model.

For some reason, you've failed their criteria. That may include your credit status or simply them wanting upfront payments at the moment, not deferred income.

Check all three of your credit files. Not just one.

tatartan

Thank you, I did say it feels like its random, not that it is , hence this post for advice.
I hope it is simply that they want upfront payments. They said to check my experian report, which I have and its fine apparently. Surely if they say to check my experian report then that is the file they use? I guess I can check the others. 

tatartan

How strange, went to equifax and they seem to think I had a mortage in 2003 when I was 11 years old, also that I have a store card (which I don't). It made me answer these while registering and now won't let me proceed. Very very strange.

[Deleted User]

There should have been options for 'none of these'.

cymruchris

tatartan said:

How strange, went to equifax and they seem to think I had a mortage in 2003 when I was 11 years old, also that I have a store card (which I don't). It made me answer these while registering and now won't let me proceed. Very very strange.

One of the answers on the verification test is 'None of the above' - there's usually a drop down, and you select the most appropriate answer. So if you've told it you had something when you didn't - it would have looked at your file - realised you were wrong - and locked you out. You'll have to get in touch with them to resolve it.

tatartan

Ok I did pick that option but made me a little worried as they were so far out from reality, still couldn't get through , I'll call them. Checked my transunion and it is fine too. If I resolve my equifax identity issue and it is fine then what next?

cymruchris

tatartan said:

Ok I did pick that option but made me a little worried as they were so far out from reality, still couldn't get through , I'll call them. Checked my transunion and it is fine too. If I resolve my equifax identity issue and it is fine then what next?

They are supposed to be - a fraudster trying to get into your account wouldn't know what you know - so would likely guess an incorrect answer - that's the theory

tatartan

Method in the madness then!

I contacted the car insurance company who confirmed that they only use Experian. So I’ll follow up in the others but don’t think they are the cause of this here. I’ve double checked my Experian and it’s fine, maybe a lack of credit use but that seems a bit extreme here + I do use my credit card a lot. 

maxximus75

Make sure you are listed on the electoral roll at your current address.  Car Insurance monthly payments usually auto decline if their soft search can't validate you and your address(s).

tatartan

maxximus75 said:

Make sure you are listed on the electoral roll at your current address.  Car Insurance monthly payments usually auto decline if their soft search can't validate you and your address(s).

Thanks I have checked that too and I am registered on the electoral roll. I did vote in the last general election at this address and experian says I am registered too. I am a bit mystified.