Van Insurance - I need some advice if possible

Barnaby101

Nov 23 - Did the Compare thing - Quoted £412. Then spoke to broker who checked the quote whilst on phone with underwriter. I paid in full.

Dec 23 - Asked to supply NCD. I supplied proof of NCD of 9 years.

Jan 24  - I phoned broker to get quote for additional driver. They phoned underwriter who then said they wouldn't quote on this policy as NCD was unacceptable because it was 19 days over 2 year period. They wanted to re quote new policy with 0 years NCD (£1300). Heard noting from them.

Mar 24 - I phoned to cancel policy as I've sold van - they want me to pay £300 to cancel on a policy premium that as far as I'm concerned I didn't agree to.

That's the overview. Here's how I see it.

At the policy inception I gave them honest  and accurate information about my NCD. I didn't know about the 2 years gap thing and having done some research - Wouldn't the insurer access the NCD Databse at point of quoting so would of known that it was 19 days over their limit and quoted accordingly? They appear to be retrospectively wanting to change the terms of the policy premium and only because I randomly phoned them up to ask for an additional driver quote.I calculate they owe me £182 after taking off broker fees and cancellation charge.

Any views and knowledge anyone wants to pass on would be much appeciated

Mildly_Miffed

They quoted you based on the inaccurate information you supplied. You said you had nine years NCB. You did not have nine years valid NCB at the start date of the policy.

AFAIA, there is no single "NCB database" for them to check. Even if there was, it wouldn't have shown you as having 9yrs valid NCB.

If you used the Meerkats, then when you mouse-over the NCB field, the popup explanation starts with...
"​Insurance providers usually only accept NCD that is less than 2 years old and may request proof of your NCD when you move to a new provider. The number of years selected here needs to reflect the amount you will have when this policy commences"

Barnaby101

Thank you Mildly_Miffed.. That's very kind of you and I appreciate your time.

DullGreyGuy

Mildly_Miffed said:

AFAIA, there is no single "NCB database" for them to check. Even if there was, it wouldn't have shown you as having 9yrs valid NCB.

A group of insurers were discussing creating such a database several years ago and to the best of my knowledge it did happen however its not like MID where its obligatory for all insurers to subscribe to it and so its by no means universal. 


The problem with contract law in the UK is that it doesn't require explicit consent/to be in writing. You were told in Jan that the NCD was invalid and that an additional premium would be due. By ignoring that and continuing to use the policy you have effectively accepted the offer. 

Had you cancelled in January there may have been more of a question on if they were clear enough to explain that NCD is only valid for 2 years or not and may have had more argument to contest a retrospective raise. 

Which comparison site did you use? Looking at CompareTheMarket as a random selection based on your choice of wording as soon as you put the cursor anywhere near the Q or answer field for how many years NCD do you have a helper box appears stating insurers only accept NCD for up to 2 years old

Barnaby101

Thanks for your comment DullGreyGuy. 

Barnaby101

Thanks for your comment DullGreyGuy.