Mistake on policy when purchasing a car 6 years ago .

homi

Hi can anyone please give me some advice just received a phone call from my car insurance asking me to confirm some of my details, it seems that I made a mistake online selecting when I bought my car - I selected June instead of July 2016 ).

They said they will need to update the policy which is going to cost me £30 + £8 admin charge (or to the underwriter), I told them that the date would not affect my premium, but they insist on me paying.

To leave will cost me £48. 

 

Brie

I fail to see how the date you bought the car would effect the policy.  But if you gave incorrect information I guess it needs to be corrected or the policy would be invalid.  Looks like correcting it would be cheaper than going elsewhere unless there's a much better premium available elsewhere.  Or you can make other changes to the policy to reduce the overall effect - get rid of having a hire car or legal services (which many people duplicate thru their home/contents insurance or have free through work)

GrumpyDil

Are you able to complete policy alterations online?. If so I'd try that as some companies don't charge for minor changes completed online

Grey_Critic

How has this information come to light?

homi

Grey_Critic said:

How has this information come to light?

Not too sure, I did the policy in midJuly and today out of the blue received a phone call from the insurers who were checking over the policy who said that they noticed a discrepancy when comparing it to the information online from the DVLA ( v5 document). 

I did say do they really believe that I would purposely back date it by a month from a purchase 5 years ago to try and get a lower premium, they said no but I had made a false claim on the forms. 

They have asked for a copy of the V5 document which does show it was transferred to me in July  .

DullGreyGuy

Brie said:

I fail to see how the date you bought the car would effect the policy.  

In principle its about familiarity with the vehicle... people who've owned a car for years are massively less likely to hit width restrictions etc -v- someone where the vehicle is new to them.

Ultimately insurance is a contract of trust, the insurer trusts you've answered the questions accurately and you trust they will payout when you claim. You have falsely answered the question which is a notable issue when it comes to the principles of insurance.

In practice there are a number of brokers who seem to have setup a new model of quoting cheap but going through all questions with a fine tooth comb to find errors.

homi

DullGreyGuy said:

Brie said:

I fail to see how the date you bought the car would effect the policy.  

In principle its about familiarity with the vehicle... people who've owned a car for years are massively less likely to hit width restrictions etc -v- someone where the vehicle is new to them.

Ultimately insurance is a contract of trust, the insurer trusts you've answered the questions accurately and you trust they will payout when you claim. You have falsely answered the question which is a notable issue when it comes to the principles of insurance.

In practice there are a number of brokers who seem to have setup a new model of quoting cheap but going through all questions with a fine tooth comb to find errors.

thanks ,  it is only a month difference on a car which was purchased five years ago .

I think you right about them going through the policy looking for any slight discrepancies to increase the premium. I would leave them if didn't cost me more than the amendment. 

Grey_Critic

Funny really - They are allowed to use E & OE yet we are not. Yes it is a mistake but 5 years in the past is a bit pedantic - I wonder if this is the new money spinner.

Q - What time of day did you take delivery

A - About 3.00pm

Sorry according to our records it was 1.57pm - that will be £30 please

ontheroad1970

It's not Hastings, is it?  You know the ones advertising about simplicity?

Ectophile

I would say hand over your wallet and pay it.

The alternative is that they cancel your policy for giving them false information.  Then when you apply to another insurer, that new company will ask if you have ever had a policy cancelled, and you'll find it much harder to get insurance.

macman

I don't think you have any option but to pay up. But it seems a great way to lose a customer at next renewal...