Direct Line say I have 4 years NCB when I say I have 5!

[Z064life]

Hi All,

I have a policy with direct line as a named driver, which, last October, would renew to 5 years. Last September, I suspended this policy, as the car I was insured on was sold.


According to my parent, who made the call (he is the main policy holder), he said that when the policy comes up for renewal (October) the suspension will kick in (for 3 months). This suspension intended for me to look for another car.


Now, ringing up Direct Line, they say I have 4 yrs NCB. The maths would point to 5:

Passed in Oct 2006 and got insured (as a named driver) next day
Oct 2011 therefore = 5 years NCB

I think the suspension has messed this up. What could I do? I guess the question is if I have a letter of renewal from them? Which I will check.


Thanks

Edited by Z064life on Sunday 22 January 16:07

[Roo]

Two questions.

Why were you looking for a new car on which you're a named driver and not the policy holder?

Do you even accrue NCB just as a named driver?

[E30M3SE]

Roo said:

Two questions.

Why were you looking for a new car on which you're a named driver and not the policy holder?

Do you even accrue NCB just as a named driver?

You do with Direct Line when the 'named driver' then takes out their own policy with them.

Which I guess is what the OP is now trying to do.

[Shaw Tarse]

Roo said:

Two questions.

Why were you looking for a new car on which you're a named driver and not the policy holder?

Do you even accrue NCB just as a named driver?

Answer to 2 I think some insurance companies will take it into account
Answer to 1
Why is named driver cancelling the policy?

[mikey P 500]

4yrs is the max discount for many companies anyway. still let you protect at this point anyway so wouldnt worry to much.
The majority of companies only record 4 or 5 yrs these days and many even though they might list a higher number of years on paper work set the same premiums the same for anything over 4yrs.

[D44nny]

It depends how ols you was when you passed. I didn't start getting ncb till I was 19 which I didn't realise as I was on the policy from 17. This was with CIS.

[Roo]

E30M3SE said:

You do with Direct Line when the 'named driver' then takes out their own policy with them.

Which I guess is what the OP is now trying to do.

I never knew that. One of the advantages of being old I suppose.

[Blown2CV]

Roo said:

E30M3SE said:

You do with Direct Line when the 'named driver' then takes out their own policy with them.

Which I guess is what the OP is now trying to do.

I never knew that. One of the advantages of being old I suppose.

It isn't 'proper' NCB - i.e. it isn't transferable to other insurance companies because you don't have a renewal in your name. I think you can get round this by taking out a DL policy in your own name at some point after accruing some named driver NCB.

Incidentally I regularly give DL grief because they consistently get my number of year's no claims wrong. They use the "we only recognise 5 years" excuse each time, but some companies do recognise a greater number of years so it may be relevant if I choose to go elsewhere. Incidentally I have 13 years. Anyway it is number of years without a claim, whether they recognise it or not, it is a statement of fact!

[Z064life]

Hi all,


This is transferable as I spoke to another insurer (Elephant) who will let me do it, providing I have proof of the NCB I have. So I am the policy holder with my policy @ Elephant, and can then get 6 yrs NCB, 7 yrs, etc... I agree and know, most insurers don't let me do this.


I am assuming that the suspension just before my policy was taken out (Oct) may have messed things up but from my research, a suspension should not affect NCB accruing (can anyone comment?).


I am looking for a new car to take out my own policy on that, as the policy holder (obviously), and continue building NCB - but with it being policy-holder NCB, easily transferable (and also as I have been driving long enough to reduce the quote).