Car insurance renewal problem - can anyone expert please advise?

Miloharps

Hi all,
I was execptoing my renewal quote, but my current car insurer wrote to me saying 'Unfortunately, with the information you have provided we are unable to provide a competitive quote for you on this occasion.'

They insured me this time last year. Since then, the only incident I've had is an accident on the motorway 6 weeks ago. It was a not at fault accident. The traffic slowed suddenly, I stopped and didn't hit anything and the driver behind hit me. He accepted full responsibility and I claimed from his insurance. I notified my insurer, as I'm required to do, and said I would not be claiming on my policy as he had admitted fault.

My question is, when going on price comparison sites, they ask the question 'Has an insurer ever declined, cancelled, voided or accepted a policy on special terms?'.  Do I have to answer 'yes'? Forever? Even though this accident was not my fault?

I just went onto a comparison site to get quotes and answering 'yes' to this question removed hundreds of insureres, leaving me with quotes £200 more than when I answered 'no' last week (which was correct at the time as I hadn't received my renewal at that stage).

If so, this is really unfair. If I had caused the accident, it would be off my record in 5 years, but as the question asked is 'ever', rather than within the 3 or 5 years which is what they ask for accidents or convictions, this would stick with me forever.

I'm grateful if anyone knows if being 'unableto give a competitive quote' is effectively denial; of insurance under the law?

Thank you.

dnpark38

They have only declined a competive quote, and not declined to quote you, ask them what the uncompletive quote is and then you
can fill the proposals for other companies as never been refused.

facade

That is an unfair question!

Insurers often decline to offer insurance through no fault of the customer- they simply don't want to cover sportscars/4x4s/vans/left hand drive/vehicles over 10 years old/drivers under 21/drivers over 60, or any number of other reasons.

If you get a quote on a comparison site, there will be insurers who declined to quote and you will never know. 

This is exactly what has happened, "hundreds" of insurers have declined to quote- so it is a self-fulfilling prophesy!

angrycrow

The current insurer has simply declined renewal because their underwriting criteria has changed in the last year. It's most likely they have decided not to cover your post code anymore. 

In this situation you are not required to answer yes to having insurers decline cover. 

Unfortunately as you have now answered yes on the comparison sites changing the answer back to no will trip the fraud detection protocol for a lot of insurers. You may find few insurers offer quotes.

Bigwheels1111

My insurance was limited after getting a new job, they would not allow commuting to work.

Just SDP.

Before as a carer for my wife they gave social domestic pleasure and commuting plus business miles.

My insurance was refunded and no penalties incurred.

Not denied or cancelled, so no bad marks against me.

As they changed the terms.

They are a law unto themselves.

Try Quidco compare, £45 cashback when I took out new insurance.

Frozen_up_north

Bigwheels1111 said:

My insurance was limited after getting a new job, they would not allow commuting to work.

Just SDP.

<SNIP>

They are a law unto themselves.

<SNIP>

Insurance companies are under no obligation to provide you with insurance and they do not have to give a reason for not wanting your business. Comparison sites aren’t always the cheapest either.
As an example, we have Churchill house insurance, the renewal went up by £80. Tried the comparison sites which were all more expensive (even the cheapest), the Churchill one via Meerkat was £100 more with identical cover!
Having LV car insurance, tried LV home insurance and found they don’t offer home insurance in our post code.
It’s irritating but not a lot we can do about it.