Forgot to inform Ins Co. about points - Now need to claim?
Discussion
Hi All
I got a call from my Mum last week saying that he car had been stolen and burnt out by some kids. She was OK about it and I told her to get onto the insurance company.
It turns out that she forgot to tell them about a new set of 3 points when she last renewed her insurance. Now I know this was an honest mistake but we are unsure how the Insurance Company will take it.
Anyone been in this situation? Any Advice?
Ben
I got a call from my Mum last week saying that he car had been stolen and burnt out by some kids. She was OK about it and I told her to get onto the insurance company.
It turns out that she forgot to tell them about a new set of 3 points when she last renewed her insurance. Now I know this was an honest mistake but we are unsure how the Insurance Company will take it.
Anyone been in this situation? Any Advice?
Ben
Usually they will just add an additional premium, the extra that she would have payed if she had told them of the extra 3 points. If they have happened since she started the policy then they dont count until next renewel.
Obviously some insurance companies are not as lenient. Though if it was automaticaly renewed, then she at least can say she never realised. Hopefully they will take an extra premium, though they are within their rights to dispute cover though.
Obviously some insurance companies are not as lenient. Though if it was automaticaly renewed, then she at least can say she never realised. Hopefully they will take an extra premium, though they are within their rights to dispute cover though.
Did she really forget, or has she just been told that she must have forgotten by the insurance company, and it is in fact them that have forgotten that she did tell them at last renewal?
As all insurance companies are likely have a link to the DVLA so they should know how many points you had at the time.
I get it a bit from my insurers when I ask them if the renewal is on the same terms as the previous policy - they always say yes, and the then you check it to find track days are not covered and the business class 1 use has been removed. Always manage to get them added or a corresponding reduction in renewal premium if I no longer need the extras.
As all insurance companies are likely have a link to the DVLA so they should know how many points you had at the time.
I get it a bit from my insurers when I ask them if the renewal is on the same terms as the previous policy - they always say yes, and the then you check it to find track days are not covered and the business class 1 use has been removed. Always manage to get them added or a corresponding reduction in renewal premium if I no longer need the extras.
mmm-five said:
Did she really forget, or has she just been told that she must have forgotten by the insurance company, and it is in fact them that have forgotten that she did tell them at last renewal?
Mum says that she told them but it would have been over the phone and she did not check her policy when it came through.
benmc said:
Hi All
I got a call from my Mum last week saying that he car had been stolen and burnt out by some kids. She was OK about it and I told her to get onto the insurance company.
It turns out that she forgot to tell them about a new set of 3 points when she last renewed her insurance. Now I know this was an honest mistake but we are unsure how the Insurance Company will take it.
Anyone been in this situation? Any Advice?
Ben
I got a call from my Mum last week saying that he car had been stolen and burnt out by some kids. She was OK about it and I told her to get onto the insurance company.
It turns out that she forgot to tell them about a new set of 3 points when she last renewed her insurance. Now I know this was an honest mistake but we are unsure how the Insurance Company will take it.
Anyone been in this situation? Any Advice?
Ben
They may well refuse her claim. When you ring up there will be a message which states (in accordance with FSA rules) that "you must tell us about all your circumstances, failure to do so will render your policy invalid."
Do you think that the insurance company will be charitable about this?
They already have rooms of people working out how to avoid paying claims - I'm afraid your Mum just made this one very easy indeed.
Sorry.
Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Monday 4th December 10:36
The loss (theft and criminal damage) was not direcly related to the change in circumstances (6 points not 3) so it was not a factor that would make the insurance company take a differerent view of the risk in the way that keeping the car parked on road vs locked garage would have done. In that respect they would have no logical (rather than legal) reason for turning down the claim.
I do not know much about motoring insurance, but in marine insurance the failure to mention the changed circumstances would either have to break an express warranty (that the insured would would notify of all changed corcumstances) or a condition precedent before a claim could be refused for an unrelated event. Hopefully it is the same for car insurance as well.
I do not know much about motoring insurance, but in marine insurance the failure to mention the changed circumstances would either have to break an express warranty (that the insured would would notify of all changed corcumstances) or a condition precedent before a claim could be refused for an unrelated event. Hopefully it is the same for car insurance as well.
widebody said:
The loss (theft and criminal damage) was not direcly related to the change in circumstances (6 points not 3) so it was not a factor that would make the insurance company take a differerent view of the risk in the way that keeping the car parked on road vs locked garage would have done. In that respect they would have no logical (rather than legal) reason for turning down the claim.
I do not know much about motoring insurance, but in marine insurance the failure to mention the changed circumstances would either have to break an express warranty (that the insured would would notify of all changed corcumstances) or a condition precedent before a claim could be refused for an unrelated event. Hopefully it is the same for car insurance as well.
I do not know much about motoring insurance, but in marine insurance the failure to mention the changed circumstances would either have to break an express warranty (that the insured would would notify of all changed corcumstances) or a condition precedent before a claim could be refused for an unrelated event. Hopefully it is the same for car insurance as well.
Very much doubt it.
You are under a duty to give full and frank disclosure. She didn't unfortunately. I take you point about whether it actually affected the risk decisioning, but imagine if you a rein the ins company's shoes. You grant cover based on the fact that someone has declared their driving history correctly....
Anniesdad will be along soon hopefully. He will know for sure the likely outcome and best way to proceed.
I had this with Direct Line following a theft. Have to say when it transpired they were missing 3 points from their records that I had, I began to shite myself. They could easily have seen an angle out and refuse it completely (it was a £31K payout!!). Luckily they just said it was quite common and they would correct the premium I should have been paying and proceed as normal. Other insurers may choose to use it against you but would have thought it would be a harsh line to take.
I was just speaking with my broker and I mentioned this to him. He said that it would be very unlilkely that they would refuse a claim for what is, these days, such a minor matter. In fact, apparently, not many insurers even add any loading for 6 points or less, especially if the insurer has a long history of not claiming and of accident-free driving. That's what really counts these days as the advent of the cash-cameras have really rendered even the safest drivers liable to get points.
i know its not exactly the case in this incidence, but for a motoring enthusiasts website, i'm amazed at the number of posts on this particular forum along the lines of " i just had an accident/got stopped by the plod but have forgotten to get my MOT/insurance/tax, and forgot to mention to the insurance the points i've had for the last 6 months"
i mean, its really not that hard to remember three things to keep your car legal, you get a reminder for the tax, the insurance send you a renewal, and it can't be that hard to put the date of your MOT on your calender.
when your insurance docs come through, READ THEM..... take the time to sit down and understand them, that way you know all the details, so when you come to make a claim, there'll be no nasty shocks, and you'll notice little thing like the clause where it says you should keep the insurance company informed of any changes that might affect your insurance, like medical conditions, any convictions etc.
sorry for the rant, and its not really aimed at the OP, but for a forum where the majority of posters are fully paid up motoring enthusiasts, there's far too many threads like these!
i mean, its really not that hard to remember three things to keep your car legal, you get a reminder for the tax, the insurance send you a renewal, and it can't be that hard to put the date of your MOT on your calender.
when your insurance docs come through, READ THEM..... take the time to sit down and understand them, that way you know all the details, so when you come to make a claim, there'll be no nasty shocks, and you'll notice little thing like the clause where it says you should keep the insurance company informed of any changes that might affect your insurance, like medical conditions, any convictions etc.
sorry for the rant, and its not really aimed at the OP, but for a forum where the majority of posters are fully paid up motoring enthusiasts, there's far too many threads like these!
benmc said:
Hi All
I got a call from my Mum last week saying that he car had been stolen and burnt out by some kids. She was OK about it and I told her to get onto the insurance company.
It turns out that she forgot to tell them about a new set of 3 points when she last renewed her insurance. Now I know this was an honest mistake but we are unsure how the Insurance Company will take it.
Anyone been in this situation? Any Advice?
Ben
I got a call from my Mum last week saying that he car had been stolen and burnt out by some kids. She was OK about it and I told her to get onto the insurance company.
It turns out that she forgot to tell them about a new set of 3 points when she last renewed her insurance. Now I know this was an honest mistake but we are unsure how the Insurance Company will take it.
Anyone been in this situation? Any Advice?
Ben
This should make no difference to your claim whatsoever.
You are not claiming on an RTA or indeed any driver related incident.
You are claiming on the theft section of your policy; it has nothing to do with your driving licence or convictions.
If they try it on get a lawyer involved and sue them.
I get my policy automatically renewed every year and when I got points I intended to let them no before my old policy expired.. but I forgot.
Later when I got a new car I phoned to alter my insurance details to suit. Obviously when the points issue came up and they reminded me and I started to worry.. I just told them I had phoned to let them know some time ago and it looks like you (insurance company) have failed to keep my records up to date. They then appoligised and updated my policy and didn't bother charging me for those few months when I should of been paying a higher premium. My insurance company is Direct Line.
Not sure what would of happened if I needed to make a claim though.
Later when I got a new car I phoned to alter my insurance details to suit. Obviously when the points issue came up and they reminded me and I started to worry.. I just told them I had phoned to let them know some time ago and it looks like you (insurance company) have failed to keep my records up to date. They then appoligised and updated my policy and didn't bother charging me for those few months when I should of been paying a higher premium. My insurance company is Direct Line.
Not sure what would of happened if I needed to make a claim though.
benmc said:
Mum has spoken to them today and they are in the process of making a decision about how to proceed.
The most likly outcome is that she will have to pay any difference between the cover with 3 points and the cover with 6.
I will let you know the outcome.
Ben
The most likly outcome is that she will have to pay any difference between the cover with 3 points and the cover with 6.
I will let you know the outcome.
Ben
I hope so. She's got more jam than Sainsburys if it works out.......
deva link said:
Do insurers routinely ask about licences during a claim?
I've made several over the years, including a small one a few weeks ago, and I can't recall any questions about my licence, and I've certainly never been asked to show it to an insurance company.
I've made several over the years, including a small one a few weeks ago, and I can't recall any questions about my licence, and I've certainly never been asked to show it to an insurance company.
When I claimed some 5 years ago (I was stationary at a T-junction & the person behind ran in to me) the insurance wanted a photocopy of my license.
i smashed a laguna when i passed my test, young and stupid yes. Didnt tell them about any modifications to the car, (looked like a touring car laguna) forgot to mention 4 points i had, i did absolutly wreck the car beyond belief, but the only question they asked was, "did you take out the head unit? we want it back" then payed out.
hollowpockets said:
i smashed a laguna when i passed my test, young and stupid yes. Didnt tell them about any modifications to the car, (looked like a touring car laguna) forgot to mention 4 points i had, i did absolutly wreck the car beyond belief, but the only question they asked was, "did you take out the head unit? we want it back" then payed out.
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