Quinn Direct - Help needed

Dandoline

Hi all

Just looking for some advice. Ive been with Quinn for the last 5 nearly 6 years but 3 years ago my named driver had an accident just before my policy was up for renewal so that year I lost my 3 years no claims and my insurance went up 600e from the quote they had posted me out which was fine but since then my insurance has never been under 1100e and then theres always about 100e more because I pay by direct debit.

About 6 months ago the case was settled and the money paid out and I received a letter from Quinn to say that. Ive rang them about 3 times since the letter came out for a new quote on 2 different cars. I got a phone call last week from the lady that gave me the last quote (the week before) and she said the case has now just been closed and since X amount of money was paid out your insurance is going up by an extra 23e a month. She said there would be a letter posted out to explain. Got the letter nothing in it to say why just a table of how much my insurance has been each month and the next two months and all my details and info about the car and drivers.

So my insurance is now from the start of next month 125e. Can they just put it up like that ? what should i do?


Many thanks

Dandoline

rcdk1

Fair enough at the end of the policy when you're negotiating a new premium/policy but I wouldn't have thought they could increase your premium in the middle of the policy.

Dandoline

rcdk1 wrote: »

Fair enough at the end of the policy when you're negotiating a new premium/policy but I wouldn't have thought they could increase your premium in the middle of the policy.

That's exactly what I thought. I'm ringing them in the morning to find out what the hell is happening but was just looking for some advice before I do Ive never heard of an insurance company doing this. Thanks for your reply.

si_guru

Hmm... a bit hard I know, but I think you'll find that they will say they reconsidered your current policy now based on the outcome of the accident payout.

Be happy they didn't ring up and say they had cancelled your policy!

Dandoline

si_guru wrote: »

Hmm... a bit hard I know, but I think you'll find that they will say they reconsidered your current policy now based on the outcome of the accident payout.

Be happy they didn't ring up and say they had cancelled your policy!

Thats true and thank god they didn't.. Just found it strange it took so long for them to do it and the accident settled months ago

si_guru

I had an accident about 10 years ago... bloke pulled out in front of me. I had 2 witnesses too.. took two years to get back to normal. In the meantime all my payments included a "it might have been you fault" weighting. I never got the money back either as "that was last year".. etc, etc.

johndaman66

si_guru wrote: »

Hmm... a bit hard I know, but I think you'll find that they will say they reconsidered your current policy now based on the outcome of the accident payout.

Be happy they didn't ring up and say they had cancelled your policy!

With all due respect si_guru I dont really buy into that, bearing in mind that the accident happened three years ago also. I'm not full sure myself either but would be of the opinion that Quinn Direct cannot do this. Again Im unsure but perhaps as the claim has being settled lately and as OP is paying in installments, the additional monthly charge is going towards paying the excess. I wouldn't think Quinn Direct would necessairly have the authority to do this though, at least without your consent Dandoline. I think really and truly you might be best to seek proper legal advice on the matter though.

If I were you I'd strongly consider moving away from Quinn Direct. Ive found them to be expensive, very bad with the likes of providing windscreen cover or breakdown assist on their policies even as optional extras...but this may have changed since I was with them. They'll always chance their arm to pull a few quid extra out of you and I frankly wouldn't be too happy at contributing towards covering Sean Quinns investment losses. Ive also found them unprofessional and most unhelpful to deal with.

si_guru

John, I am not sayin' your wrong or Quinn are right but...

Let's say you insured your car then half way thru' the year discovered it was a 1.4 not a 1.2 say... Quinn would have every right to up your payment. In this case they could argue that you previously were a liability of €xxxx and now it is €xxxx+€xxxx.

Also if he moves he will likely forfiet all his current premium (?).

Kristopherus

johndaman66 wrote: »

With all due respect si_guru I dont really buy into that, bearing in mind that the accident happened three years ago also. I'm not full sure myself either but would be of the opinion that Quinn Direct cannot do this. Again Im unsure but perhaps as the claim has being settled lately and as OP is paying in installments, the additional monthly charge is going towards paying the excess. I wouldn't think Quinn Direct would necessairly have the authority to do this though, at least without your consent Dandoline. I think really and truly you might be best to seek proper legal advice on the matter though.

If I were you I'd strongly consider moving away from Quinn Direct. Ive found them to be expensive, very bad with the likes of providing windscreen cover or breakdown assist on their policies even as optional extras...but this may have changed since I was with them. They'll always chance their arm to pull a few quid extra out of you and I frankly wouldn't be too happy at contributing towards covering Sean Quinns investment losses. Ive also found them unprofessional and most unhelpful to deal with.

Just to point out that Quinn-Direct are no way connected to Sean Quinn. They are in Administration and are likely to be that way for years to come. I'm not defending them in any way though.

johndaman66

But the way I see it is that Dandoline did not defraud Quinn in any way whatsover si_guru unless my understanding of it is incorrect and in which case I do apologise. If such is the case then making the point of insuring a 1.4 litre car as a 1.2 litre car is a moot one? Its not so much that I dont appreciate your point but I dont particularly see how its relevant

Its just that I never heard of an insured driver being called upon to make additional payment part way through the year on their insurance as a result of a claim being settled and where the accident had occured before previous renewal and insurance company were aware of this at time of proposal (if that makes sense)? I dont see the comparison between the scenario you outline and the OP's situation to be honest with you...but hey as I said I might be missing something.

Wouldn't think it a good idea to move now, especially if paying in installments and no doubt Quinn would not rebate OP pro rata if they had paid in full at renewal in any case! But certainly at renewal time though.

johndaman66

Kristopherus wrote: »

Just to point out that Quinn-Direct are no way connected to Sean Quinn. They are in Administration and are likely to be that way for years to come. I'm not defending them in any way though.

But the higher premiums and government levys being put on premiums are chiefly as a result of Sean Quinns investment losses?

dnme

Insurance is a scam. None of us are ever really insured because as soon as we call on our policies for help, the price goes up up up so we end up paying anyway. Dont get me wrong, its a legal and moral requirement and I would not move a car across the road unless i was insured to do so but that doesn't mean you have to bend over!!!

Shop around, do a bit of phone /web shopping tomorrow. You will get better quotes and as soon as you do.....WALK! and make sure you give them the reason (it goes into their marketing data)

oldyouth

Insurers cannot amend your annual premium in the middle of the year They must wait until renewal date to invite ongoing cover at new terms. Especially so in this case, given that they already adjusted your NCB following the accident.

They cannot have a double hit on your NCB either. You are entitled to start gathering your bonus back from the renewal date where your NCB was reduced. They can however aplly a claims loading if warranted but only at next renewal