One Call - unfair cancellation

sacherlover

Insured car with One Call 30 April.
Partner now buying new car and wants to use his 9 year + No Claims Bonus (NCB) against the new car and we found that you are not allowed to use the same NCB on a second vehicle.
Called One Call to make a change to existing policy (can't do this sort of change online) - of removing the NCB from this policy.

Told we cannot amend the policy to remove NCB, as the Insurance Underwriter would not accept driver with no NCB.
So had to cancel policy.
For 50 days of insurance, we have been charged £56.77 and £55.99 cancellation fee for something that is outside of our control - that's nearly 50% of the original premium for less than two months insurance.
This seems very unreasonable.

dunstonh

For 50 days of insurance, we have been charged £56.77 and £55.99 cancellation fee for something that is outside of our control

I'm afraid that is not unfair and was within your control.    You inadvertently gave incorrect information.  The insurer was within their right to void the policy from the start and class the reason as non-disclosure.     That would have had significant repercussions for all insurance purchases had it happened.  
The cost of cancellation in the early months is weighted to reflect the costs of setting up.  It becomes more pro-rata later on in the year. 
Plus, the premium would possibly have been adjusted to reflect the increased risk of having no NCB (or their lowest level) compared to the incorrect information you gave them.   
So, whilst you may feel it sucks, it does not sound unreasonable.

sacherlover

We did not give incorrect information. At the time of taking out the policy it was the only car in the household and the NCB was valid.
It seems unreasonable not to have been able to make a change of removing the NCB to use on another vehicle and paying the adjusted premium and a lower admin fee.
Instead, we have been effectively 'forced' into cancellation at a higher admin fee and a cost for time on cover that they appear unwilling to fully explain the calculations behind.

csgohan4

you have actually been told they don't accept driver with no NCB, so if you tried to get a policy now they wouldn't accept.Not sure that is unreasonable, it's not their fault your changing the policy details and not knowing you cannot have NCB for 2 cars

As Always you can write a letter of complaint before taking to the ombudsman, but seeing as it is you who changed the details it may be difficult even if you took it to the ombudsman.

In some cases, the insurer will leave a cancellation on record and you may have found it difficult to get any form of insurance, 

sacherlover

My understanding is that the cancellation on record that you refer to is where the Insurer cancels the policy.

If an individual was penalised for cancelling a policy, (something that MSE recommends part way through a year if you can get a much better premium) - the vast majority of us would struggle to get insurance.

csgohan4

sacherlover said:

My understanding is that the cancellation on record that you refer to is where the Insurer cancels the policy.

If an individual was penalised for cancelling a policy, (something that MSE recommends part way through a year if you can get a much better premium) - the vast majority of us would struggle to get insurance.

exactly, but there are some cases where even a genuine omission of details have left them black listed with a cancellation on file, so your lucky in that respects

sacherlover

There has NOT been any omission of details. Only looking to get insurance correctly set up for the next couple of days when the second car is purchased.

k12479

You could leave the existing car on the existing policy as-is and start the new, second car on it's policy with zero no claims bonus. Presumably that premium will then be more expensive, though

Agree, there has not been any incorrect information given, there has been a change which will result in the existing policy being unsuitable.

ETA - With respect, this is completely within your control, as opposed to outside of it as you assert.

Thrugelmir

sacherlover said:

For 50 days of insurance, we have been charged £56.77 and £55.99 cancellation fee for something that is outside of our control - that's nearly 50% of the original premium for less than two months insurance.
This seems very unreasonable.

Totally within your control as it's you that chose to vary the terms of the relationship. The insurer entered into the contract to supply you with insurance in utmost good faith. On the basis of the details supplied at the time of application.