Admiral Car Insurance - Disclorsure Policy Question

snore159

Hi long time lurker, first time poster.

My friend was recently looking to buy a new car and after running some insurance quotes asked me a question regarding Admiral's car insurance policy as I used to work in a similar industry.

Key Info:

• They currently have a car insurance policy with Admiral.
• A couple of months ago, they had an accident driving a friend's car abroad (not their vehicle, not their policy). According to them, in the country the accident took place, the vehicles themselves are insured in a way that as long as the policyholder is the main driver anyone else with their consent can drive the vehicle if they hold a valid license (this to say that they were not even a "named" driver on the policy itself).
• After the accident, details were exchanged and a claim was submitted by the policyholder the following day (already deemed non-fault). 

As they were running the quotes for potential new cars they were declaring a non-fault accident but as they were doing this got worried as they were unsure if they should have to notified Admiral of the accident immediately or only at renewal as it did not involve their policy/vehicle. 

I told them to go read their policy (duh) before asking them directly as insurers are known to log stuff incorrectly in their databases if they ask them directly and then correcting the information can be a pain.

After reading the policy they were still confused so I took on the joy of reading it myself and I too am confused! So I was hoping the kind people of MSE could help.

  

Admiral Policy docs: https://www.admiral.com/existing-customers/policy-documents.php

Admiral Policy Booklet (PDF): https://mktgblobpubaccess1.blob.core.windows.net/eui-pdf-assets/admiral/AD-003-038-Your-Car-Insurance-Guide.pdf

General conditions

Condition #2 (page 23) states:
> If you or your vehicle are involved in any type of incident, regardless of fault, you must:

 tell us about it within 48 hours

Condition #15 "Changes in circumstances" (page 28) states:

> You must tell us if any information on your Motor Proposal Confirmation changes.

Condition #2 in particular makes it sound like they should have notified them when the accident happened. 

However, in Condition #15 "Changes in circumstances" just a couple of lines below  it lists what requires immediate notification and what only required notification on renewal.

These are the relevant points from both of these sections:

> 2. Please tell us immediately if:

•  if any information shown on the Motor Proposal Confirmation changes.

> 3. Please tell us when you renew your insurance if:

•  any information shown on the Motor Proposal Confirmation is incorrect
•  you or any driver on your policy have had any accidents, incidents, thefts, losses or claims (regardless of blame)

They are now worried that because they don't have any accidents on the "Motor Proposal Confirmation" that is technically a change and Admiral are going to cancel their policy if they tell them now since it's been 2 months!

As the proposal document is dated for when the policy started I believe the statement is correct based on the date on the document. However, I don't want to give them incorrect advice and make it worse by having them wait til renewal in 6 months and then telling them!

Thank you for your time MSE forum.

MyRealNameToo

Havent actually read the policy wording from the link but based on what you have copy/pasted the terms would suggest they are supposed to inform them straight away. There is unlikely to be any material consequence of them informing them after 2 months rather than 48 hours however there could be consequences if Admiral find out about it before you tell them about it. 

Some insurers will adjust prices mid term however they are in the minority, some probably want to know as it gives them an opportunity to sell pass you to an accident management firm to help fight your case on the vehicle not insured by them but that won't be relevant for an overseas accident. 

snore159

MyRealNameToo said:

Havent actually read the policy wording from the link but based on what you have copy/pasted the terms would suggest they are supposed to inform them straight away. There is unlikely to be any material consequence of them informing them after 2 months rather than 48 hours however there could be consequences if Admiral find out about it before you tell them about it. 

Some insurers will adjust prices mid term however they are in the minority, some probably want to know as it gives them an opportunity to sell pass you to an accident management firm to help fight your case on the vehicle not insured by them but that won't be relevant for an overseas accident. 

Thanks for the input. As it's it was under someone else's policy what details would they have to provide other than it was non-fault and in another country? Would they call it a notification only or a claim as it was a claim just under someone else's policy.

MyRealNameToo

snore159 said:

MyRealNameToo said:

Havent actually read the policy wording from the link but based on what you have copy/pasted the terms would suggest they are supposed to inform them straight away. There is unlikely to be any material consequence of them informing them after 2 months rather than 48 hours however there could be consequences if Admiral find out about it before you tell them about it. 

Some insurers will adjust prices mid term however they are in the minority, some probably want to know as it gives them an opportunity to sell pass you to an accident management firm to help fight your case on the vehicle not insured by them but that won't be relevant for an overseas accident. 

Thanks for the input. As it's it was under someone else's policy what details would they have to provide other than it was non-fault and in another country? Would they call it a notification only or a claim as it was a claim just under someone else's policy.

It should be a call to the Servicing team, rather than Claims. They should be able to note it as part of your driving experience. Typically they won't ask about location of the incident.