LV Insurance policy adjustment some time after renewal
Discussion
I’ve been sent a small increase for a policy that was renewed more than a month ago. The only reference is a claim being closed and only quoting one of the cars on the policy (the car with the screen claim). The only two claims are a no fault accident where I didn’t pay a penny towards the claim (not even excess) and a windscreen where I paid whatever was requested. Both of these were known at renewal as they were both via LV and both before renewal. I have used LV for many years.
I have of course sent LV a note querying this (the call centre being closed) but is this usual? Just interested as I’ve never had this in 40 years of driving. The amounts are all very small and it’s odd that they’d bother. So far as I can tell the request is genuine and asks me to call and not visit a website.
I have of course sent LV a note querying this (the call centre being closed) but is this usual? Just interested as I’ve never had this in 40 years of driving. The amounts are all very small and it’s odd that they’d bother. So far as I can tell the request is genuine and asks me to call and not visit a website.
Sounds very unusual.
Any premium increase that may have been charged would have been at renewal and the revised premium would have been shown on your renewal documents / schedule page.
Assuming nothing has changed since then in your circumstances or indeed you haven’t been in touch I would suggest that you don’t simply return any message or indeed pay any asked for amount.
Instead give them a call using a number you know to be correct.
Any premium increase that may have been charged would have been at renewal and the revised premium would have been shown on your renewal documents / schedule page.
Assuming nothing has changed since then in your circumstances or indeed you haven’t been in touch I would suggest that you don’t simply return any message or indeed pay any asked for amount.
Instead give them a call using a number you know to be correct.
alscar said:
Any premium increase that may have been charged would have been at renewal and the revised premium would have been shown on your renewal documents / schedule page.
As a counterpoint, I had a similar situation years ago with Adrian Flux:- ~2 months before renewal - accident (informed straight away obviously)
- ~3 weeks before renewal - sent renewal quote showing change to NCD - accepted/paid
- first day of renewed policy - got a phone call from insurers saying they "just found out" about accident and the premium was going up £xxx (uncompetitive). I could either pay, or they would cancel there and then for free.
Jakg said:
As a counterpoint, I had a similar situation years ago with Adrian Flux:
Indeed - quite appalling treatment. - ~2 months before renewal - accident (informed straight away obviously)
- ~3 weeks before renewal - sent renewal quote showing change to NCD - accepted/paid
- first day of renewed policy - got a phone call from insurers saying they "just found out" about accident and the premium was going up £xxx (uncompetitive). I could either pay, or they would cancel there and then for free.
Flux is a broker and I hope you tried to make a formal complaint given it sounds as if they simply didn’t give the chosen insurer correct and full details ?
We have three cars in the family with LV for many years and I've never heard of anything like that, although (touch wood) we've only made a couple of claims, both no-fault.
I'd certainly be interested to know what's happened here. I do fear things changing as they integrate more with Allianz.
I'd certainly be interested to know what's happened here. I do fear things changing as they integrate more with Allianz.
Sebring440 said:
FiF said:
Can't comment on the specifics of the question but was with LV for years and as soon as Allianz arrived on scene ditched at next renewal.
Why was that?FiF said:
Previous experience with blatant unwillingness to hold a sensible discussion to try understand the reasoning behind a particular pricing issue. There was no claim involved. Not going into further details on that, sorry.
Was that with Allianz? I have a vague memory of hitting a brick wall with them over an issue with one of the kids insurance, but I can't recall the details now.I have a had a bit of contact with LV recently and it went OK - fairly quick to answer the phone and dealt with in one call.
Thanks for the replies. I’ll update when I get an answer (assuming I do). I’m sure the message is genuine but I have of course not paid and have sent a written complaint. My guess is it relates to a windscreen replacement as the no fault claim was over a year ago and dealt with. If I am correct this is a little annoying as the windscreen claim was of course also through LV but pretty close to renewal. The amount concerned is small but it means that I will look to move next renewal as if they can do this once they can probably do the same for more significant amounts. Like many I expect to pay the renewal quote and no more until the next renewal. As others have noted this is perhaps linked to the move to Allianz as I also have messages stating that is where my policies (I use LV for other insurance) are headed.
Sheepshanks said:
Was that with Allianz? I have a vague memory of hitting a brick wall with them over an issue with one of the kids insurance, but I can't recall the details now.
I have a had a bit of contact with LV recently and it went OK - fairly quick to answer the phone and dealt with in one call.
Think we've got to be careful about name and shame but yes. Nominally another group company whose rep thought my question was quite reasonable but couldn't answer, passed it onto the person who could who were group and they simply stonewalled, and quite rude with it considering. Old saying spoonful of honey catches more wasps than a barrel of vinegar. Clearly that individual only had vinegar.I have a had a bit of contact with LV recently and it went OK - fairly quick to answer the phone and dealt with in one call.
LV were great, but that individual lost business for that group evermore. Maybe cutting nose off to spite face, but not forgotten.
I have so far been impressed with LV but assuming I have to pay the additional premium it means I’ll be off next year. It’s not the actual amount but the fact they’ll do this despite them having perfect knowledge in terms of all claims. The fact they appear to be able to do this for a windscreen claim is more worrying as many of us will need to claim and from memory the cost of the replacement was quite high versus previous claims.
Now that many windscreens have sensors for rain etc, radio aerials, heads up displays, heating elements and loads of other stuff with which I am just becoming familiar (my latest car is my first one under 20 years old), I am not surprised that windscreen claims are getting into the high hundreds of ££, if not low thousands of ££.
I imagine that, while not taken as a "fault" accident, the fact that you have had a claim in their algorithms makes you more of a risk.
They can also be a bugger to fit - AutoWindscreens were having their third attempt last Thursday to fit the correct windscreen properly to one of our fleet Mercedes GLCs (2022 model). It's also the car's second replacement screen in six months, for which we can blame the parless state of the country's roads.
Our fleet insurance renewal is in August with Aviva - I will report back if there are any alarming increases. We have only had two windscreens as above and one demolished door mirror this policy year, not bad for a 10 car fleet. All drivers being over 40 might have some bearing on this claims record.
I imagine that, while not taken as a "fault" accident, the fact that you have had a claim in their algorithms makes you more of a risk.
They can also be a bugger to fit - AutoWindscreens were having their third attempt last Thursday to fit the correct windscreen properly to one of our fleet Mercedes GLCs (2022 model). It's also the car's second replacement screen in six months, for which we can blame the parless state of the country's roads.
Our fleet insurance renewal is in August with Aviva - I will report back if there are any alarming increases. We have only had two windscreens as above and one demolished door mirror this policy year, not bad for a 10 car fleet. All drivers being over 40 might have some bearing on this claims record.
I have a current LV policy and had a non fault in feb 24,again with LV.
They handled the claim fine but when the other party refused to pay that’s when it got interesting.
I had to take the TP to court,apparently, as it was my policy but it was their money which I found strange.
When they sent me the legal paperwork the small print said I was liable for legal costs if they couldn’t recover it from TP. Standard wording I think. I called them and said I was uncomfortable with that,even though it was the most open and shut case you could possibly have. Long story short after much back and forth they sent me an email confirming they wouldn’t chase for the costs regardless of outcome.
So 14 months later it landed in court and TP never showed so default judgment. Only no-one told me .
6 months later still heard nothing do rang the solicitor to find out what was happening and he said the TP settled the day after judgement so case closed. I asked why I wasn’t informed and all I got was ‘dunno’.
Unimpressed I called LV who was Allianz now to see how to claim my increase in premium when they reduced my NCB before they reinstated it again. They told me I had an online policy so all comms is by email ( I had spoken to them loads by phone about the claim). Sent email off and to date, 8 months later, still waiting for a reply. It was only this post that’s reminded me that I need to get back onto them…
They handled the claim fine but when the other party refused to pay that’s when it got interesting.
I had to take the TP to court,apparently, as it was my policy but it was their money which I found strange.
When they sent me the legal paperwork the small print said I was liable for legal costs if they couldn’t recover it from TP. Standard wording I think. I called them and said I was uncomfortable with that,even though it was the most open and shut case you could possibly have. Long story short after much back and forth they sent me an email confirming they wouldn’t chase for the costs regardless of outcome.
So 14 months later it landed in court and TP never showed so default judgment. Only no-one told me .
6 months later still heard nothing do rang the solicitor to find out what was happening and he said the TP settled the day after judgement so case closed. I asked why I wasn’t informed and all I got was ‘dunno’.
Unimpressed I called LV who was Allianz now to see how to claim my increase in premium when they reduced my NCB before they reinstated it again. They told me I had an online policy so all comms is by email ( I had spoken to them loads by phone about the claim). Sent email off and to date, 8 months later, still waiting for a reply. It was only this post that’s reminded me that I need to get back onto them…
helmutlaang said:
I have a current LV policy and had a non fault in feb 24,again with LV.
They handled the claim fine but when the other party refused to pay that s when it got interesting.
I had to take the TP to court,apparently, as it was my policy but it was their money which I found strange.
When they sent me the legal paperwork the small print said I was liable for legal costs if they couldn t recover it from TP. Standard wording I think. I called them and said I was uncomfortable with that,even though it was the most open and shut case you could possibly have. Long story short after much back and forth they sent me an email confirming they wouldn t chase for the costs regardless of outcome.
So 14 months later it landed in court and TP never showed so default judgment. Only no-one told me .
6 months later still heard nothing do rang the solicitor to find out what was happening and he said the TP settled the day after judgement so case closed. I asked why I wasn t informed and all I got was dunno .
Unimpressed I called LV who was Allianz now to see how to claim my increase in premium when they reduced my NCB before they reinstated it again. They told me I had an online policy so all comms is by email ( I had spoken to them loads by phone about the claim). Sent email off and to date, 8 months later, still waiting for a reply. It was only this post that s reminded me that I need to get back onto them
Nothing but good experience with LV in 6 years or soThey handled the claim fine but when the other party refused to pay that s when it got interesting.
I had to take the TP to court,apparently, as it was my policy but it was their money which I found strange.
When they sent me the legal paperwork the small print said I was liable for legal costs if they couldn t recover it from TP. Standard wording I think. I called them and said I was uncomfortable with that,even though it was the most open and shut case you could possibly have. Long story short after much back and forth they sent me an email confirming they wouldn t chase for the costs regardless of outcome.
So 14 months later it landed in court and TP never showed so default judgment. Only no-one told me .
6 months later still heard nothing do rang the solicitor to find out what was happening and he said the TP settled the day after judgement so case closed. I asked why I wasn t informed and all I got was dunno .
Unimpressed I called LV who was Allianz now to see how to claim my increase in premium when they reduced my NCB before they reinstated it again. They told me I had an online policy so all comms is by email ( I had spoken to them loads by phone about the claim). Sent email off and to date, 8 months later, still waiting for a reply. It was only this post that s reminded me that I need to get back onto them
helmutlaang said:
I have a current LV policy and had a non fault in feb 24,again with LV.
They handled the claim fine but when the other party refused to pay that s when it got interesting.
I had to take the TP to court,apparently, as it was my policy but it was their money which I found strange.
When they sent me the legal paperwork the small print said I was liable for legal costs if they couldn t recover it from TP. Standard wording I think. I called them and said I was uncomfortable with that,even though it was the most open and shut case you could possibly have. Long story short after much back and forth they sent me an email confirming they wouldn t chase for the costs regardless of outcome.
So 14 months later it landed in court and TP never showed so default judgment. Only no-one told me .
6 months later still heard nothing do rang the solicitor to find out what was happening and he said the TP settled the day after judgement so case closed. I asked why I wasn t informed and all I got was dunno .
Unimpressed I called LV who was Allianz now to see how to claim my increase in premium when they reduced my NCB before they reinstated it again. They told me I had an online policy so all comms is by email ( I had spoken to them loads by phone about the claim). Sent email off and to date, 8 months later, still waiting for a reply. It was only this post that s reminded me that I need to get back onto them
There’s nothing weird about you having to be the one named in legal proceedings. You’ve handed everything over to your insurance company financially but the loss was always yours. That’s the law, not the insurance company. You sue the other driver and he hands it off to his insurer and then they argue it out in court. Other driver doesn’t have to turn up either for them to defend although there’s little chance they’ll win without him. They handled the claim fine but when the other party refused to pay that s when it got interesting.
I had to take the TP to court,apparently, as it was my policy but it was their money which I found strange.
When they sent me the legal paperwork the small print said I was liable for legal costs if they couldn t recover it from TP. Standard wording I think. I called them and said I was uncomfortable with that,even though it was the most open and shut case you could possibly have. Long story short after much back and forth they sent me an email confirming they wouldn t chase for the costs regardless of outcome.
So 14 months later it landed in court and TP never showed so default judgment. Only no-one told me .
6 months later still heard nothing do rang the solicitor to find out what was happening and he said the TP settled the day after judgement so case closed. I asked why I wasn t informed and all I got was dunno .
Unimpressed I called LV who was Allianz now to see how to claim my increase in premium when they reduced my NCB before they reinstated it again. They told me I had an online policy so all comms is by email ( I had spoken to them loads by phone about the claim). Sent email off and to date, 8 months later, still waiting for a reply. It was only this post that s reminded me that I need to get back onto them
You wouldn’t ever be liable for legal costs or any costs at all in the situation that you’ve described.
If you’ve bought a policy as an online only route to insurer as it’s cheaper than that’s how they’ll deal with you.
Shinyfings said:
Thanks for the replies. I ll update when I get an answer (assuming I do). I m sure the message is genuine but I have of course not paid and have sent a written complaint. My guess is it relates to a windscreen replacement as the no fault claim was over a year ago and dealt with. If I am correct this is a little annoying as the windscreen claim was of course also through LV but pretty close to renewal. The amount concerned is small but it means that I will look to move next renewal as if they can do this once they can probably do the same for more significant amounts. Like many I expect to pay the renewal quote and no more until the next renewal. As others have noted this is perhaps linked to the move to Allianz as I also have messages stating that is where my policies (I use LV for other insurance) are headed.
Irrespective of whether it’s genuine or not and if the latter irrespective of what the additional premium request is for ,if an Insurer offers you a 12 months term with all information made known to them or information they already have on their files , then retrospectively requesting a further premium is not adhering to TCF principles ( or whatever its replacement is known as ). When you accepted the terms you entered into a contract which they are now trying to obtain a further premium for.
Hopefully the complaints dept will concur with this and they make an wp acceptance of the original policy terms and premium to stand.
LV= has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz since 2019. Allianz is restructuring and LV= is one of several companies whose policies will transfer to Allianz Insurance plc on 1st January 2027. This requires the approval of the High Court of Justice which is pretty much a foregone conclusion imo.
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