Car insurance 'hidden' excess HELP!!!

icklecat

Last week I hit a badger (cue badger jokes!) resulting in severe damage to my bumper and radiator. I got a quote from a local bodyshop which was around £700 including labour.
When I phoned my insurance - Direct Line - to report the incident, they went through a plethora of information with me, stating that my excess was £250. They then asked my age - 24 - and she said "Oh well under 25s incur an extra £250 on top of the excess, making it £500.
I was utterly gobsmacked. This was not made clear when I bought the insurance, nor was it on my original quotation, but it is however in the 'small print' booklet sent with the quote.
I'm not happy because I am 25 in October, I've been driving for 6 years, never had a claim or and accident and they're slapping £250 on me without warning.
I feel I haven't got a leg to stand on because it's in the small print, but I think a charge like that should be stated from the off. Is there any way I can get round this?????

HELP!!!!

waggys

What is the point in them telling you that your excess is £250 when it is £500???? You wouldn't have had the small print to look at when you agreed to the policy as you wouldn't have had the documentation, presumably just someone on the end of the phone giving you a quote? I would try arguing this one....is it worth speaking to trading standards? Mis-selling?

Riq

Who are you with?

My insurance has an age specific nonvoluntary excess.

It would have shown you this when you were choosing your voluntary excess.

Nomad25

Welcome to the board icklecat. We have a resident badger on the forum. Not able to offer you any advice, other than someone will along soon to answer your post, who is more versed in insurance matters, so just give it time.

dunstonh

I was utterly gobsmacked. This was not made clear when I bought the insurance, nor was it on my original quotation, but it is however in the 'small print' booklet sent with the quote.

In other words it wasnt hidden but you didnt read the endorsements.

Age increased excesses are very common and your only chance of claiming it was unfair would be if it wasnt disclosed. Often they are also put on the policy schedule as well as the policy document but either way the information is supplied, should you choose to read it.

Badger_Lady

icklecat, I'm not just saying this out of revenge...

Most of the insurers I've come across have this "young driver" excess - it's usually displayed on the wording as something like:

- Voluntary Excess £250 PLUS (if applicable):
-- Compulsary Excess £100
-- Young Driver Excess (under 25) £250
-- etc...

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/financial/excess-car-insurance.html

To comply with regulations, they will always caveat the "excess" amount with "in addition to compulsary excesses...". It's a good idea to check these when comparing quotes.

Sorry

icklecat

Yep I'm pretty sure like I said, no leg to stand on.

I should have read the small print, and it is detailed on the back of the motor insurance schedule, but nowhere in the quote OR on the options when I ran a quote through online.

I'm with Direct Line. Just very disgruntled and think these age related excesses should be made crystal clear

espresso

You don't have to claim off your insurance and you will lose some NCB putting future premiums up. The age related extra excess is standard across all companies.

:eek:

TangledMemories_2

I'm insured with direct line and it quite clearly says:

Excesses:
Additional accidental damage excess amounts for young or inexperienced drivers
Age of the driver in charge of your car:
17-20 excess: £400
21-24 excess: £250

This is taken directly from the back of the letter which comes with your certificate of insurance welcoming you to Direct Line.

icklecat

I know but that wasn't on the quote!!!!!!!!!!!

espresso

icklecat wrote: »

I know but that wasn't on the quote!!!!!!!!!!!

When you get quotes in the future, you will ask about the total excess now won't you!

:rolleyes: