Insurance NCD problems (multi-car policy)

[2Btoo]

Guys,

I'm having a slightly out-of-the-way problem.

I have a multi-car policy with a specialist insurer - let's call them 'L'. It had a 944 and a 987 on it (both Porsches), and ran for a number of years just fine. However I have sold the 944 and am in the process of buying an Elise to replace it.

Unfortunately L isn't competitive on Lotuses and have quoted me quite a high figure (they admitted this when they gave me the quote, and advised me that I would very probably find it cheaper elsewhere.) I have therefore gone to 'A', who are recommended on the various Lotus forums. I took out a non-basic policy with A online, at a fair price, and L have given me proof of NCD in a letter saying the following:

L said:

.... we can confirm that subject to no claims being reported before the expiry date, the claims experience will be as specified below.

Vehicle: <987>
No claims bonus is due, representing at least 12 years free of claims.

Because the 987 remains with them then the insurance policy will continue to run. However A are saying that this isn't acceptable because the existing policy is still running.

I've just spent 45 minutes on the 'phone to 'A' and have had little more than 'Computer Says No' from the call centre staff there. (I should probably add that the policy I have with A is not their bargain-basement one-star one, which would have been 10% cheaper; it's the 'premium' one with a 4-star Dfaqto rating.)

What can I reasonably expect here? Is my request unusual? What have other people done in this situation? Currently I'm at a bit of an impasse (not helped by the fact that my usual contact at company L is not answering her 'phone.)

Thanks.

[E-bmw]

Unfortunately, I think you are stuffed as you are stillusing the no claims you have with L so can't also take that to A..

Having said that NCD really is abit of a misnomer in the current market, just because you think you have 9 years (for argument's sake) NCD doesn't mean you ACTUALLY have a significant discount.

Try going to the market without any, you will find insurers out there that don't care too much.

[sixor8]

I got multicar quotes for a TVR Griffith and MX-5 of £900 with Admiral and £1300 with Aviva. They were ridiculous. I had 8rs and 2 yrs to use, built up on various policies, you can only use it on one vehicle at a time, although some companies don't ask for proof, unless you claim. I had to let the previous one run out before Aviva would accept it as proof, most companies accept renewal notices as proof. Aviva is completely online too now, no postal address, no agent to call or contact.

I insured the TVR for £250 with (ironically) Aviva using the 8yrs NCD and the MX-5 for £160 (only 2k miles with Performance Direct using 2 yrs.

[littleredrooster]

This demonstrates why I would never have a multi-car policy. When it comes to a change of vehicles, they have you by the dangling delicate bits, I've heard too many horror stories.

[silentbrown]

2Btoo said:

I've just spent 45 minutes on the 'phone to 'A' and have had little more than 'Computer Says No' from the call centre staff there. (I should probably add that the policy I have with A is not their bargain-basement one-star one, which would have been 10% cheaper; it's the 'premium' one with a 4-star Dfaqto rating.)

I think 'A' are correct, and you can't apply the same NCB from a car (the 987) that's currently covered on a different policy.

But, AIUI 'L' should have a given a you a separate proof of NCB for the 944 when you cancelled the insurance on that.

[2Btoo]

silentbrown said:

I think 'A' are correct, and you can't apply the same NCB from a car (the 987) that's currently covered on a different policy.

But, AIUI 'L' should have a given a you a separate proof of NCB for the 944 when you cancelled the insurance on that.

That's my thinking, and it seems logical.

L aren't currently answering their phones but I'll try again in a bit.

[alscar]

One other option may be to go to a local Insurance broker and let them do all the work for you as it won’t cost anything more than going direct.
The small print / t and c on those multi car policies does need checking as I doubt your scenario is unique.
The other option is to purchase a personal fleet policy but these can be more HNW orientated and aren’t cheap but once with the Insurer things like NCD are academic and adding cars is simple.

[2Btoo]

Last update to finish the thread; A sent me an eMail saying that I had to provide satisfactory proof of NCB by a certain date otherwise my insurance with them would be cancelled. Given that 'cancelled insurance' is something that can make future insurance much more expensive this wasn't an option that I liked.

I therefore found an eMail address for someone senior at Aviva ([e-mail] - yes, it's clearly a team rather than a person) and wrote to it, and had a helpful reply saying that they would accept the proof already submitted 'on a good faith basis'. There was a small increase in cost (a couple of quid, and I can't remember the details) which I paid and all is well.

Summary: L (Locktons) were extremely helpful and I can unconditionally recommend them. A (who will remain anonymous but have a blue and yellow logo and are huge) were pretty terrible; I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't sent a stroppy eMail. However all is well that ends well.

Thanks for your input chaps.