Car Insurance renewal showing a claim on it

bri007

Hi, Last March on my way home A person banged into the side of my car, myself and the other person refused liability.

Due to where it happened, no cctv and witnesses they could not attach liability to either party. Both parties look after their own damage!

A few weeks later I received a letter stating that a payment of 300.00 euro for investigasting fees have been made. My no claims discount will not be affected due to this.

I received my Renewal in the post Yesterday, I have bonus protection on my policy, its showing up as full percentage ncd, however, it says actual number of years claims free on this policy is 0, and number of incidents on this policy is 1. Is this standard, like I made no claim on my policy, I was onto my insurance and they told me my protected bonus is fine, but I just have my doubts after reading this on my policy. It has the 300.00 down as accidental damage on it?

Can anyone give me advice or knowledge on this matter?

Thanks.

Fred Swanson

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bri007

Thanks for the reply, So if I ring around for a quote from different insurance companies it may affect the quote?

djimi

bri007 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, So if I ring around for a quote from different insurance companies it may affect the quote?

You will have to inform them that you have a claim in the past three years (or whatever time frame they ask about) which probably will affect the quote you are given. Some companies may not even quote you with such a recent claim.

Protected NCB only really means something if you are remaining with the same company. No other insurer has to honor the NCB after a claim has been made.

bri007

I didnt make a claim though and wither did the other party

djimi

Whats the €300 about then? If it was an expense that they encounted on your behalf then as far as I know it will be counted as a claim.

bri007

It was for investigation fees.

djimi wrote: »

Whats the €300 about then? If it was an expense that they encounted on your behalf then as far as I know it will be counted as a claim.

commited

I'd dispute this, absolute ridiculous - you pay them annually for their insurance services, part of which is investigative services. Get on to the ombudsman if you get nowhere with them.

bri007

I spoke to my insurance company this evening, They said it was a documentation error on their behalf. I asked for a new certificate of no claims bonus showing that there is no claims on my policy but they said they cant do it. They told me not to worry about it as its not affecting the price on the renewal. The problem is, its states that there was a claim, and I rang around a few insurances companies for quotes. All of them said that affects the quote, I told them it was an Investigation fee thats all on my policy, but when they asked what exactly it said on it, I told them it said accidental damage claim! They said because it said that, it was a claim!

Now I am totally confused as what to do next, as I never claimed in the first place nor did anyone else, the 300 euro was just the investigation fees. Would the ombudsman help with my situation?

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

bri007

Thanks for the reply, I just sent in a complained online with my insurance company. I will wait for their response and then get in touch with the ombudsman if needs be.

Yeah it seems like they are trying it on, more or less making me stay with them or else pay high premium to go elsewhere!

I couldnt beleive them the way they said it on the phone to me. Stating it doesnt matter and not to worry about it, I said I want it in black and white, as its insurance at the end of the day. He said its impossible and not necessary to do this :mad:

Thanks everyone for the info

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

goz83

Update us on this.

If it's not written, it's not true, so I would be insisting that my documentation be corrected, especially since they admitted that it was an error.

Pure scammers. It certainly has a negative impact.

Theasal1234

Yes it is recorded as a claim for the insurer's files. However, what needs to be established is whether the claim was "charged" or "withdrawn". This was obviously withdrawn as you have stated and from the minute claim figure, this was just an " expense" claim. By the sounds of it, they incorrectly charged it against your bonus protector. I would contact the insurer.

bri007

I contacted the insurer numerous times, they said it was an error but they wont issue me with the updated no claims certificate. I kept trying but I am not getting anywhere with them now.

Theasal1234 wrote: »

Yes it is recorded as a claim for the insurer's files. However, what needs to be established is whether the claim was "charged" or "withdrawn". This was obviously withdrawn as you have stated and from the minute claim figure, this was just an " expense" claim. By the sounds of it, they incorrectly charged it against your bonus protector. I would contact the insurer.

bri007

I will keep you all posted on how I get on, I sent the complaint online tonight so hopefully early next week I get s response, I might follow up on another call just to see what they say, especially after I put in a complaint in writing. They may take it more serious now, but somehow I doubt they will.

goz83 wrote: »

Update us on this.

If it's not written, it's not true, so I would be insisting that my documentation be corrected, especially since they admitted that it was an error.

Pure scammers. It certainly has a negative impact.

beauf

I think you should be recording all communication even phone communications in writing. Names of who you talk to etc. Then under a FOI request get what they recorded. There must be some ombudsman you can make a formal complaint about this. I would guess if you don't get this sorted now, it will bite you badly in the future. So all the information you get now will be a big help to you.

I had an experience many years ago where an insurance company tried to put a claim on my policy, which wasn't valid and I kicked up such a fuss that they didn't. But it took considerable effort. They did however increase my next premium massively, for no good reason and I didn't renew with them. If I hadn't fought it, it could have cost me thousands.

bri007

Thanks for the advice.

Yeah a friend of mine told me to start recording all communication with the insurance company. I have all the names I spoke to so far.

Yeah that's what I am worried about, its not now, its more about later on in the future, as you said, it will more than likely come back to bite me if I don't get it sorted out now.

Its so stressful having to do this, the worst time possible as one of my parents is very ill in hospital! Reallly didnt need all this right now from the insurance.

beauf wrote: »

I think you should be recording all communication even phone communications in writing. Names of who you talk to etc. Then under a FOI request get what they recorded. There must be some ombudsman you can make a formal complaint about this. I would guess if you don't get this sorted now, it will bite you badly in the future. So all the information you get now will be a big help to you.

I had an experience many years ago where an insurance company tried to put a claim on my policy, which wasn't valid and I kicked up such a fuss that they didn't. But it took considerable effort. They did however increase my next premium massively, for no good reason and I didn't renew with them. If I hadn't fought it, it could have cost me thousands.

sogood

I'm surprised that the insurance company even carried the cost of this "investigation fee" as you would have an excess on your policy which meant that you would have had to pay the first portion of any claim, usually up to €500. depending on the policy etc. But regardless of that, they then changed their mind and decided that it wasn't a claim, but an investigation fee? For what? Who instructed them to carry out any investigation? If they were just doing their work, following normal operating procedure, then it's their responsibility.

And to expect you to believe or accept that it's "impossible" to issue amended documentation is crazy. What reason do they give for this inability on their part?

Do keep us posted.

bri007

I just looked through the policy again that they send me out, and they have in actual fact taken my Full No claims Bonus Protection from my policy, and NCD says was reduced. It was in the summary of cover section. Totally contradicts what they told me over the phone. Really stressed out over this, I hope to hear back from the complaint I put into the insurance company tomorrow, as I am going to keep ringing them over this.

beauf

Ring but also keep sending letters and keeping a copy. Indeed include all communication. So its very clear where they've given inaccurate information. And the time line.

bri007

Will I send the letter into both the broker and the insurance company

beauf

Why not. Hassle them from as many angles as possible.

kerry4sam

bri007 wrote: »

I spoke to my insurance company this evening, They said it was a documentation error on their behalf. I asked for a new certificate of no claims bonus showing that there is no claims on my policy but they said they cant do it. They told me not to worry about it as its not affecting the price on the renewal. The problem is, its states that there was a claim, and I rang around a few insurances companies for quotes. All of them said that affects the quote, I told them it was an Investigation fee thats all on my policy, but when they asked what exactly it said on it, I told them it said accidental damage claim! They said because it said that, it was a claim!

Now I am totally confused as what to do next, as I never claimed in the first place nor did anyone else, the 300 euro was just the investigation fees. Would the ombudsman help with my situation?

Have you read the fine print on your policy in detail? I renewed mine today (not due until September) and on the policy it states:

"Eventhough the no-claims discount we give you will not be affected, any statement of no-claim discount we issue will be drawn up as if you did not have any of this protection and, any claims you have will appear on this statement. Other insurers may take those claims into account when deciding to insure you or in setting your premium"

I am just going to suggest you re-read the fine print on your policy. I'd nearly bet it states the above or v-similar.

Hope that helps,
kerry4sam

wingnut

djimi wrote: »

Protected NCB only really means something if you are remaining with the same company. No other insurer has to honor the NCB after a claim has been made.

On a tangent - a lot of insurers seem to be honouring NCBS from other company. Have switched three times and each time the insurer gave me the full NC discount despite the claim.