Insurance NCD woes

[deadtom]

Allow me to set the scene, using bullet points as prose is not my forte:

- its some time in october last year
- Own a car
- Want to own a bigger car for bike carrying duties over the winter
- acquire new car
- go to sort insurance; new car is import so have to change companies. the question of NCD come up. think "I'm pretty - sure I'll have 7 or 8 years NCD by january time when current policy ends, so i'll just put 6 years to be sure"
- some time later insurance company says "err, NCD proof please?"
- be all like "oh crumbs sorry I'm terrible at life I'll do it now"
- send photo of last years renewal showing 7 years
- get a reply 'thanks but we need more info'
- ring company, they say they can't validate while insurance is in force for another car.
- me: "oh right, yeah that runs out soon"
- them: "no problem, just send us proof when your other insurance has lapsed"
- send proof of cancelled policy, 8 years NCD
- get reply 'thanks but we need more info'
- ring company "you owe us £264 for using NCD on two policies at the same time"


Am I the only one here who didn't realise that NCD is effectively a discount code that can only be used on one policy at a time? And am I unreasonable for expecting them to have reminded me at least once me either by email, snail mail, or over the phone that they will be charging me for every day that I had 2 policies running at the same time?

I always thought it was just a general indication of being a reasonable driver that allows insurance companies to reduce premiums for people who manage to avoid causing accidents.

I like to think I am reasonable observant about terms and conditions, but clearly this one has eluded me for the last 9 years that I have been driving.

I did mention to them that a notification of impending charges would have been nice at any point in the last few months, but they just replied that it's common knowledge.

So I put it to the PH masses; could my insurance company have been more helpful, or am I just retarded?

[Sheepshanks]

deadtom said:

Am I the only one here who didn't realise that NCD is effectively a discount code that can only be used on one policy at a time?

Yes.

[moffat]

Sheepshanks said:

Yes.

+1, RTFM

[thebigmacmoomin]

I knew that as I bought my current Focus ST when I was trying to sell my M3. I just used my NCB on the M3 as that was what it was currently on at the time & the more expensive to insure ( by a little bit). Then I just added my NCB to my Focus's policy when the M3 was sold. This was with a different insurance company as the M3's provider wouldn't insure a Focus ST.

[Devil2575]

Sheepshanks said:

deadtom said:

Am I the only one here who didn't realise that NCD is effectively a discount code that can only be used on one policy at a time?

Yes.

+2

[Alex@POD]

Sheepshanks said:

deadtom said:

Am I the only one here who didn't realise that NCD is effectively a discount code that can only be used on one policy at a time?

Yes.

I'm sure you're not the only one but it's pretty common knowledge, some insurers may give you an introductory discount to match the NCD you have on the other policy, but you cannot use the same NCD on 2 concurrent policies.

[deadtom]

moffat said:

+1, RTFM

aye, live and learn I guess

[mikal83]

Insuring and negotiating the insurance minefield is a right PITA...........sympathies.

[Regiment]

Sheepshanks said:

Yes.

Not me but then never had 2 cars at once. So it's essentially a voucher code rather than a 'proof you haven't crashed in the last 10 years so we'll offer you cheaper insurance' code?

[Roo]

Devil2575 said:

Sheepshanks said:

deadtom said:

Am I the only one here who didn't realise that NCD is effectively a discount code that can only be used on one policy at a time?

Yes.

+2

+3

Although a lot of insurers will mirror your NCD on another car.

[deadtom]

Regiment said:

So it's essentially a voucher code rather than a 'proof you haven't crashed in the last 10 years so we'll offer you cheaper insurance' code?

apparently so