Car Insurance - Difficulty Changing

StradBally

I was hoping to change my car insurance company.

However, they are telling me that I cannot change. I reported a minor scrape I had with a delivery van to them and the Gardai at the start of August 2010. I also told them that I would not be making a claim as the damage was minor. As of today they have not received a claim against me and they told me that I could not change my insurer for 3 months after reporting an incident just in case a 3rd party will register a claim.

Surely if I was insured when the incident occurred, then I am insured against any claim made concerning this incident.

If I was to decide that I no longer wished to drive a car and put my car off the road and hence had no requirement for car insurance, then surely my insurance company cannot say that I need to renew the policy?

My insurance expires in 2 days.

Please advise.

Savman

StradBally wrote: »

Please advise.

Tell them to get stuffed.

Which insurer is it? If you have received a better quote or deal elsewhere, just don't renew with your current shower. I'd personally cancel any DD's to be on the safe side too.

Bogger77

Stadbally, I'd ignore what Savman has said, it's liable to get you stuck with a cancelled insurance policy, and will make it hard for you to legally get cheap cover again.

Send them a nicely worded letter stating that you are not renewing with them, and as you were the victim rather than the at blame person, you cannot see how any credible claim can be put against you.

Close the letter with a simple, from date XX I do not consider myself to be covered by you from X date, and you are requesting proof of no claims to be sent asap.

Savman

Bogger77 wrote: »

Stadbally, I'd ignore what Savman has said, it's liable to get you stuck with a cancelled insurance policy, and will make it hard for you to legally get cheap cover again.

Send them a nicely worded letter stating that you are not renewing with them, and as you were the victim rather than the at blame person, you cannot see how any credible claim can be put against you.

Close the letter with a simple, from date XX I do not consider myself to be covered by you from X date, and you are requesting proof of no claims to be sent asap.

The guy is not obliged to renew if he chooses not to. I've never heard of an insurance company telling its customers "oh you can't leave" :rolleyes:

He can leave when he damn well pleases tbh, if it was me I'd make sure I had a firm offer elsewhere before switching but there is no way I would be blackmailed or bullied by an insurance company with whom I've given custom.

Random

have the new companys you've asked requested details on claims and then decided they can't quote you because you have an open claim or something. then you've come back to your insurance company and they tell you they can't close your claim because of the reasons above?

eagle_i

Guys keep it in perspective, the insurance company are simply stating that the op is unable to MOVE insurer until the 3 month period following the reporting of the accident is completed. TBH no other insurer will quote while it is so close to the date of the incident - regardless of who is at fault. It is unfortunate this has happen so close to the renewal date, but once the 3 month period has matured, then the op is free to shop around to see if the renewal he was offered is competitive to what is out there on the market.

oldyouth

eagle_i wrote: »

Guys keep it in perspective, the insurance company are simply stating that the op is unable to MOVE insurer until the 3 month period following the reporting of the accident is completed. TBH no other insurer will quote while it is so close to the date of the incident - regardless of who is at fault. It is unfortunate this has happen so close to the renewal date, but once the 3 month period has matured, then the op is free to shop around to see if the renewal he was offered is competitive to what is out there on the market.

Exactly, of course you can leave now but you must tell any potential insurer there is an outstanding claim and your current insurer are entitled to mention it on any No Claims Bonus certificate. While a claim is 'open' there is scope for the claim to get more serious by way of personal injury (it happens).

Compromise with your current insurer. Get them to agree to you leaving, should you wish to do so, in 3 months when the claim is closed and get a full pro-rata refund

Savman

oldyouth wrote: »

While a claim is 'open' there is scope for the claim to get more serious by way of personal injury (it happens).

Actually this is true, the OP doesnt say if the 'scrape with the van' was his fault or what, so I suppose the insurance company will see it as an Open claim. Strange one.

StradBally

Thanks for the advice lads.

I contacted a broker who told me to renew the policy but instead of paying premiums up front to go with a direct debit option. Cancel when the 3 month period is up, giving the insurer appropriate notice. If I am due a refund at that point then claim it back. Switch insurer prior to the cancellation and ensure that they are happy with my motives for the cancellation with their competitor (lower premium plus low insurance for named learner driver). The refund, if due, might take some time.

Thanks again lads.