Any car insurance experts in here?

sunnysoutheast

Hopefully someone can help clarify something for me!

I am bringing my car in under transfer of residence. I have the cert. from Revenue and NCT booked etc.

I am now trying to get an Irish insurance policy. 9+ year NCB, 9+ year full licence, car garaged etc. so should be no issue.

However, I have an unsettled claim from the UK (April 2013). This is a non-fault claim (I was the front car of a 4-car concertina crash) and the driver of the rearmost car took a driver's course to avoid prosecution, so liability is clear in as much as I cannot be held responsible.

When I renewed in the UK I declared this and the premium was loaded (I understand I can get some of this back when finally settled) but in Ireland (I am using a broker) every company approached has turned me down flat. Axa, Aviva, Liberty, FBD, Zurich, etc. etc.

Is this standard policy? I was expecting a premium loading but not to be effectively unable to get insurance.

I know that you can "force" a company to quote after three refusals but is that my only option? Are there any specialised brokers etc. I could try?

Thanks!

pheelay

Think insurance companies are wary about taking on new customers with unsettled claims. Is the car anything special that could also be a reason?
My advice would be to try another broker and offer them any documentation on the unsettled claim than you can.

CardinalJ

Insurer will almost never take anyone on with open claims. If you are not at fault you should be able to get an indemnity from the other Insurers and any claim on your policy should be closed.

If it's a no faulty claim, I don't understand how it could still be open on your policy after 18 months.

sunnysoutheast

CardinalJ wrote: »

Insurer will almost never take anyone on with open claims. If you are not at fault you should be able to get an indemnity from the other Insurers and any claim on your policy should be closed.

If it's a no faulty claim, I don't understand how it could still be open on your policy after 18 months.

To cut a long story short the insurers for car 4 are not accepting liability, even though their driver would have been prosecuted for causing the accident if he hadn't attended the course. Personal injuries in cars 2 and 3 were worse than mine. Looks like it is on its way to court in any case.

From talking to the (UK) solicitor it is usual for insurers to load the premium for an unsettled claim, both for the potential payout and for the additional perceived risk of having another non-fault claim, but not to turn down cover completely. Don't know if it's different in Ireland.

sunnysoutheast

pheelay wrote: »

Think insurance companies are wary about taking on new customers with unsettled claims. Is the car anything special that could also be a reason?
My advice would be to try another broker and offer them any documentation on the unsettled claim than you can.

2012 BMW 318d so nothing bonkers.

I have offered all documentation but the answer has been no before getting that far.

mistress_gi

If you are coming to ireland give clements.com a go. They are brokers specialising in expat insurance and they will insure you for a reasonable rate. If the car is worth less than 10000 dollars they only offer 3rd party (no fire and theft at all) if it is valued at more than that then they will offer fully comp.
I have insurance through them and when I got it I had an open claim.
AIG ireland are their underwriters and I 've found them to be really good. I've not yet had an accident (knock on wood) but I understand they are pretty efficient there too.
If you've any questions let me know I went through this in july so it's pretty fresh on my mind

oldyouth

I don't see this as an open claim. I take it you claimed under your own insurance policy and the recovery by your insurers is outstanding. Therefore, at present, you have a settled claim against you with a reduction/loss of your No Claim Bonus and not 9 years like you say (protection or not)

It is a No Claim Bonus, not a No Blame Bonus, so it is on your insurance record until such time as the recovery is succesful

sunnysoutheast

oldyouth wrote: »

I don't see this as an open claim. I take it you claimed under your own insurance policy and the recovery by your insurers is outstanding. Therefore, at present, you have a settled claim against you with a reduction/loss of your No Claim Bonus and not 9 years like you say (protection or not)

It is a No Claim Bonus, not a No Blame Bonus, so it is on your insurance record until such time as the recovery is succesful

No, I didn't claim on my own insurance, my NCB was unaffected.

The claim went through a loss recovery company/my legal cover.

oldyouth

sunnysoutheast wrote: »

No, I didn't claim on my own insurance, my NCB was unaffected.

The claim went through a loss recovery company/my legal cover.

Well, then you don't have an open claim Your insurers need to have a reserve on your policy set aside for a potential claim on your policy for it to be considered so. Get it clarified by your insurers.

sunnysoutheast

mistress_gi wrote: »

If you are coming to ireland give clements.com a go. They are brokers specialising in expat insurance and they will insure you for a reasonable rate. If the car is worth less than 10000 dollars they only offer 3rd party (no fire and theft at all) if it is valued at more than that then they will offer fully comp.
I have insurance through them and when I got it I had an open claim.
AIG ireland are their underwriters and I 've found them to be really good. I've not yet had an accident (knock on wood) but I understand they are pretty efficient there too.
If you've any questions let me know I went through this in july so it's pretty fresh on my mind

Cheers for this but I am not an expat I'm moving here for a few years, tax resident etc.!

mistress_gi

If you're not irish then you qualify this is why I suggested it. Give them a buz in london or apply directly from their website you have nothing to loose. Iive here also but I am not irish, they gor me insured no problem!

sunnysoutheast

oldyouth wrote: »

Well, then you don't have an open claim Your insurers need to have a reserve on your policy set aside for a potential claim on your policy for it to be considered so. Get it clarified by your insurers.

Well after a very frustrating day of phone calls "oh that's odd" etc. it eventually turned out that the insurers from the accident in April 2013 had "settled" the claim as non-fault in July 2013 without telling either the broker or myself. So you are correct I don't have an open claim.

I got a policy through Chill so am sorted.

From talking to a broker (First Ireland, very helpful) there is seemingly only one insurer who will take on an open claim, sometimes.

Cheers for all the replies.