Insurance doubled as they won't recognise my no claims bonus, help!

Greguk123 · 5 February 2022 at 3:32PM

I previously had a motor trade policy as I ran a garage, I was the director of the company and I took out the policy but it was in the name of my company. However I personally am named on the certificate, covering me for sdp and business on my own cars.

I have now closed the business and got a private car policy with 1st Central on my Sharan. They quoted around £400 but have not accepted the 4 year no claims proof I have, now charging me £800

Does anyone know a car insurance company that would be a bit more amicable and transfer/mirror or whatever the 4 years no claims I have? I actually have 9 years but my old commercial motor trade policy only recognises and issues up to 4.

Thoughts appreciated, Greg

Sandtree · 5 February 2022 at 7:57PM

If you use the aggregators they generally allow you to put in NCD earned on a business car. Just double check they’re happy with a trade policy rather than traditional company car before buying.

You will also need to find out the cancellation costs from your brokers… from other posts here you’ve chosen one at the higher end (presumably how they can afford low premiums)

JohnBernardP · 6 February 2022 at 12:43AM

Motor trade insurance no claims bonus is generally unacceptable to a private motor insurance company. Some may allow an introductory no claims bonus as an 'ex company car driver' but most do not. You don't have 9 years no claims bonus: you don't have 4 years no claims bonus - you have no no claims bonus by right. No doubt you can produce a letter from your company stating that you were named on the policy and had pleasure use as well. I would contact a specialist insurance broker (if there are any left - maybe Adrian Flux) and see if they can help. Aggregators are the Tescos or Aldis of insurance - pile em high and sell em cheap (but less cheaply than before).

Sandtree · 6 February 2022 at 5:12PM

JohnBernardP said:
Some may allow an introductory no claims bonus as an 'ex company car driver' but most do not.

Introductory discounts are now banned by the FCA... some insurers do allow you to get some credit for commercial policies and most aggregators have that functionality built in to save having to phone around/visit hundreds of websites.

Greguk123 · 13 February 2022 at 10:12PM

That's very frustrating as it's not even a company car, my personal car was insured on the policy for sdp and I'm specifically named on the certificate as the driver for own vehicles. So they know it's me driving in my own car and know I haven't made a claim.

As a consumer, it's just ever more pressure and difficultly on the average man and woman and a bigger squeeze on finances. It feels to me that the actual point of ncb, figuring if you don't crash you are a low risk has been forgotten. After all, surely it's more important that I didn't smash everything in sight up rather than if my policy said commercial or not.

cymruchris · 13 February 2022 at 10:37PM

Slightly different - but I had worked overseas in Asia - and had a 2 years NCD from that country - on returning to the UK many insurers wouldn't allow it - but one that did was Admiral - and their pricing was fairly competitive too. (Especially if bought through a cashback site). You might want to give them a call to see if it's acceptable - and if they say yes - then apply online - and upload the docs through their upload portal.