Direct Line not offering renewal on car

Downthedrain

My Wife's car insurance is due for renewal and she received a letter from Direct Line saying they won't be offering to renew the policy. When she rang to ask why, they said that the underwriter's terms had changed and they no longer cover this type and age of vehicle. Fair enough, but when getting quotes the question arises; "In the past 5 years have you had insurance declined, cancelled or special terms applied". In answering honestly "Yes", the premium increases. This is an impossible situation, and very unfair as the underwriter's terms are completely outside her control and she has done nothing wrong. Can anyone offer advice?

Jfk1988

You don't have to answer "yes" to that question as Direct Line have declined to renew.

It's no different to putting your details in to a comparison website and the insurers at the bottom of the list saying they can't quote.

Downthedrain

Here's what Lloyds asks (who She's thinking of insuring with) - the italics are mine;

In the last 5 years, have you had any motor insurance declined, voided, cancelled or had a special term imposed? Please specify if you have had a policy cancelled, voided by a previous insurance company or if you have been refused for the next years insurance. You will also need to specify if you have had any special terms imposed.

We're still uncertain about answering No to this question, but if the answer is Yes then or home insurance is also affected.

jimbo6977

Some insurers' systems will default to a daft renewal quote (eg £29,999) in similar circumstances.
So not declined, but no-one would renew either!

Sandtree

jimbo6977 said:

Some insurers' systems will default to a daft renewal quote (eg £29,999) in similar circumstances.
So not declined, but no-one would renew either!

Yes they would https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6313383/help-with-car-insurance

Anyone that reads the letter/email properly and takes action wouldnt but plenty blindly auto-renew each year. Changing them from auto-renewal to manual renewal as well as the price hike is likely to cause problems too... seen several claims/fines covered where people had been on auto-renewal for years were changed to manual renewal with the only difference being about 5 words in their renewal letter and the policy lapsed without their realising.

TELLIT01

The only was to ensure the question is answered correctly is to speak to the proposed insurer and explain the situation.