Anyone refused insurance point blank due to post code?
Discussion
I'm all sorted now thanks to Adrian Flux.
However last month when I came to insure my Pontiac I phoned Footman James and the first question I was asked was what's my postcode.
I answered and they said sorry we no longer cover that area due to reasons not specified by the underwriters. I explained that my Dad has his Pontiac insured with them and they said if it was before 1st March he's ok but perhaps not when it comes to renewal - we shall see.
Lancaster Insurance also came back with the same approach.
So does that mean that anyone with a classic car in my area can't get insurance with these and perhaps other companies?
The only thing I can think of is the neighbouring town (which shares the first half of the post code) is/was renowned for crash for cash scams. However I was under the impression that this was under control. It's also not like I'd be driving around at rush hour in the middle of a town with my classic.
What if I was a big business man or a celebrity/footballer, would they too be refused?
Ok I'm sorted now and this isn't a rant. I'm just curious if this has happened to anyone else and is it likely to get worse?
However last month when I came to insure my Pontiac I phoned Footman James and the first question I was asked was what's my postcode.
I answered and they said sorry we no longer cover that area due to reasons not specified by the underwriters. I explained that my Dad has his Pontiac insured with them and they said if it was before 1st March he's ok but perhaps not when it comes to renewal - we shall see.
Lancaster Insurance also came back with the same approach.
So does that mean that anyone with a classic car in my area can't get insurance with these and perhaps other companies?
The only thing I can think of is the neighbouring town (which shares the first half of the post code) is/was renowned for crash for cash scams. However I was under the impression that this was under control. It's also not like I'd be driving around at rush hour in the middle of a town with my classic.
What if I was a big business man or a celebrity/footballer, would they too be refused?
Ok I'm sorted now and this isn't a rant. I'm just curious if this has happened to anyone else and is it likely to get worse?
I once filled out a few forms online looking for insurance. A few days later I received a call a few days later from a lesser known insurance company asking if I would like a quote. I said 'sure'.
A couple of questions in the guy asked which city I lived in. 'Manchester' I replied. The guy must have turned to his friend in the call centre and asked his colleague if they insure people in Manchester. Without saying a word his colleague just burst out laughing (I could hear him in the background).
Turns out they class Manchester as a 'Black Zone' and wont touch anyone with an 'M' postcode.
A couple of questions in the guy asked which city I lived in. 'Manchester' I replied. The guy must have turned to his friend in the call centre and asked his colleague if they insure people in Manchester. Without saying a word his colleague just burst out laughing (I could hear him in the background).
Turns out they class Manchester as a 'Black Zone' and wont touch anyone with an 'M' postcode.
mate of mine lived in an apartment block in the centre of Liverpool. Secure undergound parking (even by thieving Liverpudlian standards!), 24hr concierge and CCTV, alarmed/immobilised etc etc. Think it was L1 or L2.
Not a chance.
It was a nice-ish car too.
Probably in a safer environment than on street parking in a quiet country village but nope. They just weren't interested.
Not a chance.
It was a nice-ish car too.
Probably in a safer environment than on street parking in a quiet country village but nope. They just weren't interested.
rohrl said:
There some postcodes that a number of insurers will treat as a straight decline.
Some of the BB postcodes are dicey as are specific areas of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and some others. It's not too hard to find this out, the newspapers have covered it.
BN2 in Brighton is a bit tricky as it not only covers streets such as Lewes Crescent (currently a townhouse up for sale there for 4.5 million) but also covers Whitehawk. Which is s***Some of the BB postcodes are dicey as are specific areas of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and some others. It's not too hard to find this out, the newspapers have covered it.
Needa308GT4 said:
rohrl said:
There some postcodes that a number of insurers will treat as a straight decline.
Some of the BB postcodes are dicey as are specific areas of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and some others. It's not too hard to find this out, the newspapers have covered it.
BN2 in Brighton is a bit tricky as it not only covers streets such as Lewes Crescent (currently a townhouse up for sale there for 4.5 million) but also covers Whitehawk. Which is s***Some of the BB postcodes are dicey as are specific areas of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and some others. It's not too hard to find this out, the newspapers have covered it.
tty stick, while I had no issues whatsoever in central Cardiff.It's a pain in the backside if you're affected but it keeps everyone else's premiums from getting even higher than they are already I suppose.
Mike 820 said:
A couple of questions in the guy asked which city I lived in. 'Manchester' I replied. The guy must have turned to his friend in the call centre and asked his colleague if they insure people in Manchester. Without saying a word his colleague just burst out laughing (I could hear him in the background).
Turns out they class Manchester as a 'Black Zone' and wont touch anyone with an 'M' postcode.
Right. 5% of UK pop live there and he had to ask his mate. Presumably on the same grounds they'd steer clear of London, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, and well, just about everywhere. Methinks you made this one up.Turns out they class Manchester as a 'Black Zone' and wont touch anyone with an 'M' postcode.
pingu393 said:
What will the OPs answer be when asked "Have you every been refused insurance?" on every insurance application from now til doomsday? 
I haven't been refused insurance, the insurer declined to give me a quote. They didn't get past my postcode, they didn't even ask for my name. So if I'm asked that question I shall reply no which is the truth.
Not sure how up to date this is but it should give a general idea of what areas are classed as high risk http://www.carinsuranceexplained.com/car-insurance...
Bad luck if you live in one of the ones that says "Refer" I guess. As above, no areas of Manchester get above an E rating lol..
Bad luck if you live in one of the ones that says "Refer" I guess. As above, no areas of Manchester get above an E rating lol..
It's a stupid system anyway. I have a Newcastle (NE40) postcode but I live in the countryside on the border of Northumberland, so my insurance is probably more than it would be if I lived another 100 metres down the road and was over the Northumberland border.
Edited by PumpkinSteve on Wednesday 16th May 08:12
Thin White Duke said:
It's silly. The M post codes will cover a large area. There are some good areas in Manchester as well as bad areas (like all other cities).
There's a bloke advertises insurance on one of the Merc forums - however he has some issue (personal, I reckon) with M postcodes and OL postcodes. Didn't seen to have issues with anything else. OL postcodes cover an awful lot of area including some very desirable rural locations. I'm prepared to bet that I live in a nicer place than said person - I've also never had or heard of anything getting stolen round here - yet he point blank refuses to consider them.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff