Vehicle Insurance Auto Renewal

FSL1980

I have had my van stolen off of my driveway in broad daylight - I am gutted.

I have begin the process of making a claim to my insurer - One Call

I took out the policy in November 2021 and it automatically renewed in November 2022 - when the policy renewed I assumed it would remain the same. I have checked and the terms have changed completely in the renewal (including the underwriter)  - most especially the renewal states that I am required to have a tracker on my van for it to be insured for theft - this was not included in my original policy and when asked if I had a tracker when I applied for the policy I stated no. My van is about 20 years old so a tracker did not come fitted.

I have checked the FCA guidance and regs and it states that a renewal is defined as 'carrying forward a policy at the point of expiry' - surely carrying forward a policy means without ameedment unless discussed? 

My question is can my insurer change the terms and conditions at the point of auto-renewal? 

Any help would be gratefully received
Thank you 

DullGreyGuy

It is common practice for policy terms to change each year and similarly any broker worth their salt will rebroke the business each year which may result in the insurer (aka underwriter) changing as insurer's preferences change and who was cheap for you one year may not be who's cheap for you next year. 

You need to re-read your renewal notice and any short form documents that were attached to it (not the full policy book). If you were with a direct insurer rather than a broker this would include a summary leaflet of the material changes in cover from last year to this. With brokered business they may instead include the IPID summary document instead and the letter explain that its been rebrokered and so different terms from last year. 

Unfortunately many only look for the price and dont bother reading the rest of it. The FOS can deal with cases where the broker/insurer wasn't clear of the changes or the need to read the IPID but doesn't look kindly on those who admit they got it but didn't bother reading it. 

FSL1980

I used One Call
So just to be clear - despite me stating that I did not have a tracker on my vehicle they can amend the terms in the renewal that require me to have a tracker without drawing my attention to it? As far as I am aware I received emails saying it was due for renewal and then when it renewed and that was it.  

dunstonh

I used One Call

Who are not an insurer but a broker

So just to be clear - despite me stating that I did not have a tracker on my vehicle they can amend the terms in the renewal that require me to have a tracker without drawing my attention to it?

It wouldn't be a renewal.  One call would change it at renewal point, if an alternative appears to offer better value.  As DDG says above, it should be documented.

You may have a case if you clearly stated that there was no tracker and One call did not point out it required a tracker.    The key is in the documentation.

As far as I am aware I received emails saying it was due for renewal and then when it renewed and that was it.  

You should check your documentation again.

FSL1980

I've checked all emails and can't find anything 
I'm guessing I need to do DSAR to get evidence I stated I had no Tracker
I still haven't put the claim through yet - I wasn't sure if it was best to pre-empt the rejection of the claim by speaking with them first or claim and then deal with it once rejected.

FSL1980

"The price that we offer on your renewal notice will be based on the information you gave us on last years policy. If your circumstances, or any other information have changed about your insurance during the last year, you must tell us before your policy is renewed. If you do not tell us, you may not be properly insured; this may invalidate any claim that you wish to make on your policy. If you are in doubt about whether something is relevant, you should ask us."

FSL1980

I've now been through the statement of fact from the underwriters - it states 'no security device fitted'

dunstonh

FSL1980 said:

I've now been through the statement of fact from the underwriters - it states 'no security device fitted'

Then as long as there is nothing telling you that you have to get a tracker, then you have the evidence available, should it become an issue.

I still haven't put the claim through yet 

So, where have they told you that you need to have a tracker (in respect of the current policy)?

- most especially the renewal states that I am required to have a tracker on my van for it to be insured for theft - this was not included in my original policy and when asked if I had a tracker when I applied for the policy I stated no.

The renewal of the pre 2021 arranged policy (i.e. renewal in 2022) may have required a tracker but you say one call moved you to a different insurer.   That may have actually been the reason why one call moved you.  i.e. your original insurer now wanted a tracker but the new one didn't.

The renewal with the existing provider did not happen.  You were moved to a new provider/policy.

FSL1980

It states in one of the clauses after the schedule that a tracker is required

DullGreyGuy

One Call is a non-advisory broker, their role is to simply present you with options/prices and highlight features. They legally cannot recommend one policy over another to you though you may decide that the cheapest option isnt appropriate for your needs because it requires a tracker and you'd rather pay a bit more for your insurance than have the cost of fitting/maintaining a tracker. 

When this is done over the telephone it's a two way conversation and is easier to do. By letter/email it's heavily dependent on you reading the documentation sent and contacting them if you feel their proposal isnt appropriate. 

If you go to an advisory broker then they have a lot more paperwork to complete but will recommend a product for you rather than just present the cheapest options. They have to put their reputation/income on the line to be able to justify the recommendation at a later date if for some reason it is proven it was inappropriate or another option would have been more appropriate (their commission level is not an accepted rational) 

dunstonh

FSL1980 said:

It states in one of the clauses after the schedule that a tracker is required

Is that on the original policy or the latest policy?