Car insurance cancelled as I didn't tick the import box

SWFC1985

Hi everyone,
I don't know if anyone can help but I want to know if there's anything I can do. I bought an RX-8 last year and put it's reg number into the comparison sites. The car automatically popped up so I assumed it had pulled the information from somewhere. I clicked yes this information is correct, followed through with the rest of my information and found a quote, which I accepted. Then a few weeks later I got a letter through the post claiming my insurance was to be cancelled unless I sent them more information. I rang them up straight away and asked what was going on, to which I was told they couldn't tell me what part of the information had been flagged at this time. I gave them copies of my V5, no claims proof etc. to then be told they were going to cancel my insurance. I asked why and they said I hadn't declared that it was an import. I explained it was an accident through the comparison sites and asked if I could amend the policy to keep it live. They told me there was nothing they could do because they don't insure imports. I explained I don't think I can afford insurance if there is a cancellation and asked if they could remove the block on me cancelling so I could cancel it rather than them to which I was told no. I'd been with the company for 3 years previous with my last car and had never made a claim so it's not like I'd made a fraudulent claim. It was an honest mistake. Now my insurance has gone up from £30 a month to almost £100 a month due to this cancellation and apparently I've got to declare it forever. It's to the point where I now have to sell my car and find something small and cheap to insure because of this stupid company. Please someone tell me there's something I can do to resolve this. 

Ayr_Rage

The insurer has behaved correctly.

There isn't anything you can do as you failed to declare the vehicle was imported.

Probably not what you wanted to hear but your mistake has cost you dearly.

BoGoF

A lot of buck passing in your post but ultimately it is your responsibility to check and double check the questions asked. Think yourself lucky you didn't have an accident.

cymruchris

SWFC1985 said:

Hi everyone,
I don't know if anyone can help but I want to know if there's anything I can do. I bought an RX-8 last year and put it's reg number into the comparison sites. The car automatically popped up so I assumed it had pulled the information from somewhere. I clicked yes this information is correct, followed through with the rest of my information and found a quote, which I accepted. Then a few weeks later I got a letter through the post claiming my insurance was to be cancelled unless I sent them more information. I rang them up straight away and asked what was going on, to which I was told they couldn't tell me what part of the information had been flagged at this time. I gave them copies of my V5, no claims proof etc. to then be told they were going to cancel my insurance. I asked why and they said I hadn't declared that it was an import. I explained it was an accident through the comparison sites and asked if I could amend the policy to keep it live. They told me there was nothing they could do because they don't insure imports. I explained I don't think I can afford insurance if there is a cancellation and asked if they could remove the block on me cancelling so I could cancel it rather than them to which I was told no. I'd been with the company for 3 years previous with my last car and had never made a claim so it's not like I'd made a fraudulent claim. It was an honest mistake. Now my insurance has gone up from £30 a month to almost £100 a month due to this cancellation and apparently I've got to declare it forever. It's to the point where I now have to sell my car and find something small and cheap to insure because of this stupid company. Please someone tell me there's something I can do to resolve this. 

Sadly it's not down to the 'stupid company' - it's up to you to ensure that everything is recorded accurately on your insurance application. Import cars, although common, often need specialist insurance companies, and it's something that has absolutely got to be declared. 

As you've taken a policy without declaring it an import, they have rightfully cancelled the policy. I can't see a way around this that will let you come out on top. Although it might have been an honest mistake - it's still a mistake - and it's not their fault you made it. 

You could try writing a detailed letter to the company apologising, and explaining how you've made an unintentional error, but I imagine it won't help matters (it might be worth a try). It'll mean you'll have to declare that you've had insurance cancelled everytime you apply for a new policy from now until forever, which will hurt financially.

TELLIT01

Any insurance I've set up on-line always says to check the documentation carefully and inform them immediately if anything is wrong.  The OP clearly didn't do that and can't lay the blame on anybody apart from themselves.  An expensive lesson learnt.