Insurance: "Claims in the last X years?"

shietpilot

Hi all,

I noticed if I add one of my parents to my insurance policy that the price decreases from about €1480 to €1240.

Here's the thing though: My dad has had a claim on his policy which was caused by my mam crashing.

When they ask if my mam has had a claim on her policy, am I entitled to say "no" because it was on my dad's policy but she was the driver?

Stheno

No.

shietpilot

Stheno wrote: »

No.

Pretty stupid rule then. That means my dad is being penalised because it's his policy yet he has never ever caused a crash OR my mam is being penalised because she needs to declare a claim that didn't even happen on her policy.

coylemj

A claim is a claim and it contaminates everyone involved - the driver and the policyholder.

shietpilot

coylemj wrote: »

A claim is a claim and it contaminates everyone involved - the driver and the policyholder.

Understood. Looks like I'll have to cough up the extra cash so

savagethegoat

declare the facts and stress that your father never had a claim on his policy, but there was a claim caused by a named driver....see what they say. It's not who was responsible, it's "has he made a claim " which he has.

Beta Ray Bill

I think the question they are is:
"Have you had and accidents, claims or convitions on your policy or a policy you were named on"

Like coylemj said. It contaminates everyone involved

grogi

shietpilot wrote: »

Hi all,

I noticed if I add one of my parents to my insurance policy that the price decreases from about €1480 to €1240.

Here's the thing though: My dad has had a claim on his policy which was caused by my mam crashing.

When they ask if my mam has had a claim on her policy, am I entitled to say "no" because it was on my dad's policy but she was the driver?

Your mother claimed from your father's policy.

In my book it is only your mother that had a claim, but there will others that will say that both had claims. Not to risk non-disclosure and having a policy cancelled, I would call the insurance company.

coylemj

grogi wrote: »

Your mother claimed from your father's policy.

In my book it is only your mother that had a claim, but there will others that will say that both had claims. Not to risk non-disclosure and having a policy cancelled, I would call the insurance company.

The problem with calling them is that you could easily get someone in the call centre who agrees with what you said above (in bold) and tells you not to declare it. OP must declare it as it was a claim, period.

Six months down the line, your father is driving the car, has a major accident and claim, the insurance company will deny what was said and/or point to the policy document (where it says you must declare all material facts) and void the policy.

Telling someone to phone an insurance company to ask a question is bad advice. Unless you have it in writing, what they tell you is worthless and even if you have something in writing, it's still the case that the policy rules so in almost every situation, the answer is the same: 'read the policy.'

witchgirl26

I'd give them a ring. I know when putting my OH on mine, I had to declare a claim he had but it was due to the car being stolen & damaged so it actually didn't affect at all.

I think best option is trying to put your dad (he'll have been the policy owner but not the claimant) as he might be the better one to help reduce the price. I'd also ask for any other discounts that could be added. Always find that ringing gets me a few quid extra off!

grogi

coylemj wrote: »

The problem with calling them is that you could easily get someone in the call centre who agrees with what you said above (in bold) and tells you not to declare it. OP must declare it as it was a claim, period.

Six months down the line, your father is driving the car, has a major accident and claim, the insurance company will deny what was said and/or point to the policy document (where it says you must declare all material facts) and void the policy.

People start to get ridiculous and even paranoid.

All calls are recorded. So if you're applying for the quote you tell this and that - and get a quote. You take it.
You've made all your obligation to disclose all material facts. You can't really disclose them better.

Telling someone to phone an insurance company to ask a question is bad advice.

Asking boards is better apparently

coylemj

grogi wrote: »

People start to get ridiculous and even paranoid.

All calls are recorded. So if you're applying for the quote you tell this and that - and get a quote. You take it.
You've made all your obligation to disclose all material facts. You can't really disclose them better.

Telling a call agent about a previous claim in a phone conversation does not constitute 'disclosure' because you still have to answer the question on the proposal form under the rules of full disclosure of material facts. It's the proposal form and the policy document which together constitute the contract between you and the insurance company. What you say or don't say on the phone counts for nothing because a spoken conversation doesn't constitute part of the contract, whether it's recorded or not.

shietpilot

To be honest they wouldn't even be driving the car. I just found it interesting if I add one of them as a named driver it reduces my premium by €240! Seeing as it has to be declared I'll just pay the extra €240 and be done with it...