Associate
- Joined
- 30 Dec 2003
- Posts
- 2,254
Hi,
Was hoping you could give any advise on this situation (Either in finding new insurance, or of any bodies to contact).
I received a phone call yesterday from Hastings Direct, which I unfortunately missed. Upon ringing back I was told that my insurance was going to be cancelled within seven days due to a miss-issued policy. Apparently the underwriters "Highway" did not insure people nineteen years of age (Or younger) or people in high-risk areas (E.g., cities). I fall into the category of being a nineteen year old.
I was told this was through no fault of my own but simply a technical problem with their system and this has affected over three thousand other people over the country (Who are all being given the same call and a seven day notification before insurance expires). Apparently I will be paid my insurance back (Actual amount not yet confirmed) on a true pro rata basis but would not receive the whole policy back as they would still have covered me had I claimed in the time since the policy was first taken out. I asked the gentleman on the phone to give me details of where in the contract it gives Hastings permission and he said all details relating to their cancellation can be found on page 17, section 3 of their handbook, where the relevant paragraph states:
The gentleman on the phone offered to find a new price and ring me back within ten minutes but explained that the price was never going to be as cheap as the one they had issued before. I never received a follow-up phone call; I assume because Hastings do not offer a policy that I am eligible for (I ran a search with them soon after the initial phone call).
One fear I have in looking for new cover is that many insures ask a question along the lines of "Have you ever had an insurance policy declined or cancelled?" which I believe I must now answer "Yes" (Due to the cancellation of this policy) and as such I do not know if this will affect a new premium (If I was to be offered one at all).
I have completed several quotes (For the exact same level of cover) with other companies and the best that I can find is approximately £1550 - So that is almost £250 more than they policy which is to be cancelled; Originally I paid £1300. This is for a nineteen year old with no no-claims on a '95 (M Reg) Mazda 323F GLX 1.5l. Although I have not had it confirmed I would expect a refund of approximately £800 on my insurance, which would leave me over £700 short of starting a new policy - Money that I will certainly struggle to find.
I have been told that I shall receive a letter confirming these details (Either today or tomorrow).
Do you believe they (Hastings Direct/Highway) are within their rights? Is there nothing I can do about this? Can you recommend any insurers that may offer a better premium?
Many Thanks,
Dan.
Was hoping you could give any advise on this situation (Either in finding new insurance, or of any bodies to contact).
I received a phone call yesterday from Hastings Direct, which I unfortunately missed. Upon ringing back I was told that my insurance was going to be cancelled within seven days due to a miss-issued policy. Apparently the underwriters "Highway" did not insure people nineteen years of age (Or younger) or people in high-risk areas (E.g., cities). I fall into the category of being a nineteen year old.
I was told this was through no fault of my own but simply a technical problem with their system and this has affected over three thousand other people over the country (Who are all being given the same call and a seven day notification before insurance expires). Apparently I will be paid my insurance back (Actual amount not yet confirmed) on a true pro rata basis but would not receive the whole policy back as they would still have covered me had I claimed in the time since the policy was first taken out. I asked the gentleman on the phone to give me details of where in the contract it gives Hastings permission and he said all details relating to their cancellation can be found on page 17, section 3 of their handbook, where the relevant paragraph states:
A further annoyance with this is that as a new driver every years no-claims make a difference. Unfortunately being cut four months into a policy means I am still sat here with no no-claims therefore no discount when looking for replacement insurance. I asked for a letter confirming I had 4 months no-claims to which the gentleman agreed but mentioned that in reality it was unlikely any insurer would care about four months and that I would simply have to start all over again.
The gentleman on the phone offered to find a new price and ring me back within ten minutes but explained that the price was never going to be as cheap as the one they had issued before. I never received a follow-up phone call; I assume because Hastings do not offer a policy that I am eligible for (I ran a search with them soon after the initial phone call).
One fear I have in looking for new cover is that many insures ask a question along the lines of "Have you ever had an insurance policy declined or cancelled?" which I believe I must now answer "Yes" (Due to the cancellation of this policy) and as such I do not know if this will affect a new premium (If I was to be offered one at all).
I have completed several quotes (For the exact same level of cover) with other companies and the best that I can find is approximately £1550 - So that is almost £250 more than they policy which is to be cancelled; Originally I paid £1300. This is for a nineteen year old with no no-claims on a '95 (M Reg) Mazda 323F GLX 1.5l. Although I have not had it confirmed I would expect a refund of approximately £800 on my insurance, which would leave me over £700 short of starting a new policy - Money that I will certainly struggle to find.
I have been told that I shall receive a letter confirming these details (Either today or tomorrow).
Do you believe they (Hastings Direct/Highway) are within their rights? Is there nothing I can do about this? Can you recommend any insurers that may offer a better premium?
Many Thanks,
Dan.
