Car Insurance - mistaken identity

2246laura

My husband renewed his car insurance last year but could not provide the new insurance company with proof of his no claims bonus because his previous insurer had an open claim against him. The new insurance company advised that when the previous open claim had been resolved then they would accept the NCB evidence and apply the relevant discount. The previous insurance company's open claim went on all year. Basically someone had contact his insurance company and said that he had driven into a parked car and drove off. They had no evidence of this and my husband knew nothing about the incident. the previous insurance company advised that this claim had to remain open for the duration that it was being looked into. In the end it turned out and was admitted by the previous insurance company that it was a case of mistaken identity. He does now have the NCB for that year but as a result of this taking a year to sort out was charged a premium rate last year by the new insurance company as he was never able to provide the NCB letter. The difference in the premium was around £500, surely someone is liable for this if it was a case of mistaken identity?! Any help or advice would be much appreciated. 

Brie

"The new insurance company advised that when the previous open claim had been resolved then they would accept the NCB evidence and apply the relevant discount"  

He should ask them to stick to their promise.  I can't see that he would be able to claim from anyone else.

Sandtree

2246laura said:
The new insurance company advised that when the previous open claim had been resolved then they would accept the NCB evidence and apply the relevant discount.  

Was this on a go forward only basis or back to inception?

With this kind of scenario its normally best to stay with your existing insurer (and make sure it is insurer not just broker) as most will automatically correct the following policy once the status of the claim changes. Having changed insurer however in this case he will need to speak to what was his next insurer and ask them to honour the agreement... though if it was on a go forward only basis then this may mean nothing is due but these were the risks he knew when he decided to take the approach.

born_again

So to be clear.
Open claim & changed companies. New company said would would accept NCD evidence. So what level of discount did they give. Did he get a price from them with the full discount?

Is he still with that company now? Or given the time frame to sort the claim he is now with another ins co?

Manxman_in_exile

@2246laura - you haven't said, but has your husband actually asked the "new" insurance company to refund the £500 (or whatever) and they have refused, or are you just asking whether he should ask them to do so?

It's not clear

Ergates

Your husband's current insurance company have fulfilled their promise (by the sounds of it).  His previous insurance company fulfilled their obligations, and it sounds like the other party's insurance company were acting in good faith on the information with which they were supplied (presumably someone gave them a reg number).  The only person who *could* be liable is the person who made the initial claim, and even that is questionable.  Also, there is no legal way you'd be able to get hold of their details.

I suspect the only way you'll ever get that money back is if your current insurers agree to retrospectively apply the NCB.