I am the registered owner of two cars and have separate policies for each vehicle. When I first bought the second car (mainly for my son to use, but also as a back up vehicle for me), I had full No Claims Bonus on my first vehicle and was told by every Insurance company that I enquired with, that I would have to start from scratch again with this second policy as they were completely separate entities and basically had no effect on each other. That was four years ago and I since have built up 4 years NCB.

That is until the start of the year when the second car was stolen, recovered two weeks later and then written off by the insurance company and a mutually agreed settlement made.

I stuck with the same insurance company but I was told that on renewal of the policy I would lose two years NCB. Well, I've swallowed that one, but what really annoys me is that the claim on the second vehicle is now affecting quotes that I am receiving on the first vehicle.

Why am I not surprised that this is a one way street for the insurance industry!!

I know that while getting quotes for my first car I could keep silent about the claim's history of my second vehicle, but I know this would rebound on me one day.

Any suggestions as how to get round this?

Unfair trading practices?

Is there an insurance ombudsman?

Hi,

This is the way insurance works I'm afriad. The Insurance Company work out the premium on set criteria - ie, car, location, age/sex of driver, whether you have made any previous claims, etc., then discount this figure by the NCD you have.

As you have had the first car stolen you are classed as higher risk for claiming, which will impact your premium on the second car. However, you should still be getting the 4 yrs accrued NCD on the second car.

There is an ombudsman - the FSA, however, I cannot see you having a valid argument.

Could you clarify please:

BEFORE

1st Car Full NCD

2nd Car 4Yrs NCD

--Second Car Stolen

AFTER:

1st Car Full NCD

2nd Car 2Yrs NCD

Correct., however theft of car stolen on 2nd policy is now increasing the cost of my first policy by approximately 30%