Insurance Renewal - Is this Right?

happiechappie

Hi,

My current car insurance for my Renault Megane with 7 years no claims is £281 which runs out in Jan 2008. In August 2007 a boy racer ran into the back of our car (he was "eye-ing up the talent - his words, not mine, but that's another story...). We were able to claim off his insurance as he admitted liability and all this went through no problem.

However, I have just had my renewal through from "Budget" Car Insurance and it has risen by £220 to a total of £500!!! When I telephoned them yesterday to ask why, the guy said "It is because you have made a claim."

I replied that I had claimed off his insurance, not mine as it was his fault. He replied "It doesn't matter, you still claimed so it still affects your own policy."

Is this right? Surely if it's not my fault and I claimed off the other persons insurance it should not affect mine when renewing my policy? Incidently, my renewal still says "7 years no claims."

One final thing. I'm not going to be renewing with Budget as I'll go elsewhere, but - I have a final question. When the company asks "Have you had any accidents or claims in the last 5 years?" do I have to declare the one from August 2007, which was not my fault?

Many thanks for any help you could provide :T

jonathon

I had the same problem with budget it seems once you have a claim even if its not your fault thay dont want your buisness

dzug

You declare it as a no fault accident - if you are doing it online that option appears.

Budget are entitled to take the accident into account when assessing your premium, regardless of blame. It does sound unfair, but it's their call.

FlameCloud

Yes, you do (there should be a box on the website allowing you to put in a non fault claim)

Its the base risk of the policy that has changed- people who have had a non-fault claim are statistically more likely to make a fault claim.

anewman

Now's the time to shop around! See Martin's car insurance guide on the website.

vaio

I had the same, some companies load you for no fault claims, some don’t.

A woman reversed into me and broke my back light, entirely her fault. I was with Elephant, they added £110 because of the accident. I looked around and even with the extra they were still the cheapest so I got a letter from them confirming the increase due to the accident and the woman’s insurance company paid it (and the same for the following two years)

I’d get online quotes and once you’ve found the cheapest redo it without the claim and if it does make a difference claim it off the TP company.

oldagetraveller

happiechappie wrote: »

Hi,



One final thing. I'm not going to be renewing with Budget as I'll go elsewhere,

I am with Budget until it expires next month. I don't know if you are aware but they renew automatically unless informed not to. If you have advised them not to renew then that's fine, otherwise get on the 'phone to them without delay if you plan to go elsewhere. It took me three goes on the 'phone to get them to put the non auto renewal in writing.
Also if you make any changes to your insurance with them within the year, e.g. change address/vehicle, then the auto renewal takes effect again until they're told differently.

jonathon

oldagetraveller wrote: »

I am with Budget until it expires next month. I don't know if you are aware but they renew automatically unless informed not to. If you have advised them not to renew then that's fine, otherwise get on the 'phone to them without delay if you plan to go elsewhere. It took me three goes on the 'phone to get them to put the non auto renewal in writing.
Also if you make any changes to your insurance with them within the year, e.g. change address/vehicle, then the auto renewal takes effect again until they're told differently.

dont thay all renew automatically unless told not too?

happiechappie

vaio wrote: »

I had the same, some companies load you for no fault claims, some don’t.

A woman reversed into me and broke my back light, entirely her fault. I was with Elephant, they added £110 because of the accident. I looked around and even with the extra they were still the cheapest so I got a letter from them confirming the increase due to the accident and the woman’s insurance company paid it (and the same for the following two years)

I’d get online quotes and once you’ve found the cheapest redo it without the claim and if it does make a difference claim it off the TP company.

Thanks for the advice - I'll definitely be trying the above out to see what differences there are.

oldagetraveller wrote: »

I am with Budget until it expires next month. I don't know if you are aware but they renew automatically unless informed not to. If you have advised them not to renew then that's fine, otherwise get on the 'phone to them without delay if you plan to go elsewhere. It took me three goes on the 'phone to get them to put the non auto renewal in writing.
Also if you make any changes to your insurance with them within the year, e.g. change address/vehicle, then the auto renewal takes effect again until they're told differently.

I did tell them (politely ) that I'd not be renewing. I'll be ringing them back to make sure i get the "non-auto renewal" in writing - thanks for the advice

vaio

happiechappie wrote: »

........I did tell them (politely ) that I'd not be renewing. I'll be ringing them back to make sure i get the "non-auto renewal" in writing………

More importantly, just make sure your bank or credit card don’t pay them

oldagetraveller

jonathon wrote: »

dont thay all renew automatically unless told not too?

No!! But I'll refrain from trying to help anyone in future to avoid smart alec replies.