Having a nightmare!!! Learner Driver insurance

[dacouc]

My point which i think the FOS would agree with, is that this company Collingwood are offering learner driver products. Therefore it is highly likely that parents will buy cars for their children and the registered keeper may be changed over from parent to the children. If there is any issue with potential voidance about registered keeper, given nature of this product, then Collingwood should offer a clear warning on their internet site.

 

They may well give a warning, hence my suggestion to do some research, if they don't give a warning it may assist your theory.

 

The OP's best hope of resolving the issue is via the Consumer Insurance Act and thus working out whether they would have offered cover under that scheme / Insurer based on the correct information should be the OP's first port of call as the FOS / TCF take a long time to resolve and is subjective

[Welshblonde]

Ive been looking around for car insurance to insure him when he passes but the question is there about ever having insurance cancelled or voided on all websites I've visited. Any ideas?

[unclebulgaria67]

Ive been looking around for car insurance to insure him when he passes but the question is there about ever having insurance cancelled or voided on all websites I've visited. Any ideas?

 

Dacouc has already said that you simply take out a policy in your name as policyholder, note your Son as a named driver, but also the main driver. Make sure you advise the registered keeper correctly per the V5. See post #22

 

Then you need to get the complaint started about the voidance. I think there is enough information in this thread now, for you to start putting something together. Remember it is your Sons complaint as policyholder and if you want to deal with it, he would need to confirm his consent in writing within the letter sent. Dacouc and I have discussed in the thread the issues, with Dacouc giving the Insurers side as to what defence they could make.

[Welshblonde]

The issue that I have is that all the websites I have looked at say have you and any named drivers ever had insurance policies declined, cancelled or voided. Therefore, there does not seem to be a way around it. I will collate the information today and get the wheels in motion.

[unclebulgaria67]

Contact a local Insurance brokers (but not Swintons who are part of large French Insurers). They will know which Insurers will accept.

 

Explain to them that your Son arranged Insurance for learner car you bought for him, but you did not get around to sending off the V5 to change registered keeper to him. The learner insurance voided refusing the claim and this is now subject to a complaint. The brokers will know the questions individual Insurers ask, as it does vary.

[Welshblonde]

Thats great. Thank you so much for your help. Hopefully I can get something sorted for him.

[dacouc]

The issue that I have is that all the websites I have looked at say have you and any named drivers ever had insurance policies declined, cancelled or voided. Therefore, there does not seem to be a way around it. I will collate the information today and get the wheels in motion.

 

Have a look at Direct Line, Privilege and Churchill as they tend to be lenient on void policies, read the questions and assumptions carefully.

 

Should the matter go to the Ombudsman and is judged in your favour or you succeed with an Official Complaint / Consumer Insurance Act, the Ombudsman will rule that the Collingwood must put you back into exactly the same position you were before their error. Thus it would be wise to keep a record of (Reasonable) expenses you incur and keep documents that show the difference in the premium he pays to replace the cover etc

[Welshblonde]

One final question - as my son didn't have an accident and the claim has been declared void - do I still need to declare the accident when I am inputting his details. I've put it down on my driving record but not sure what I do about his!

[unclebulgaria67]

You enter that you had an accident claim against you.

[dacouc]

xxxx

Edited February 20, 2016 by dacouc
incorrect post

[Welshblonde]

Thank you. I've checked the Collingwood site and I would not have been offered insurance if I was the registered keeper. When I inputted parent it stated I needed to have my own insurance! I've sent a letter anyway stating it was an honest mistake but legally I don't think that will hold up unfortunately! All a bit of a mess really.

[dacouc]

You still have the option of advice given eg an Official Complaint and then the Ombudsman (Is optional) on the basis that it's unfair

[Welshblonde]

Unless you click on the parent button there is no warning. All I can do is go down the this was an honest mistake and I feel that my son has been treated unfairly due to my error and hope that the void is taken off his name. Not even bothered about the money for the car- just the fact that a genuine oversight on my part could have such an impact.

[dacouc]

Unless you click on the parent button there is no warning.

 

That is something worth highlighting in your complaint

[Welshblonde]

I sent a letter to the insurance company on the 25th February and have not received any reply from them regarding this matter. Should I send another copy of the letter I first sent and ask them to acknowledge receipt in writing?

[unclebulgaria67]

A bit early to chase. They have 20 days to respond and with Feb being a short month. But if you don't hear by middle of next week, chase it up.

[Welshblonde]

Had a letter today stating that as he was not owner/registered keeper then policy is voided according to the underwriters as there was a false declaration. There is also an enclosed form of consent and indemnity to fill in. Do I send it back or not???

[Conniff]

The insurance companies call this fronting and it used to be a common practice in order to reduce the young drivers premium, they will ask how many cars are in each house and who is the main driver. If you don’t tell the truth you could make your insurance invalid

[Welshblonde]

I understand what you mean about fronting - however, I had my own car with my own fully comp insurance. Took learner driver insurance out for my son on his own car -I just didn't send off the V5 - admin error on my part - I only drove his car as a named driver as named on the policy. I really did think I had sorted this in the correct way.

[unclebulgaria67]

The form is so you agree to repay them, whatever they pay to a third party, if you were liable.

 

Being that you are in dispute about the voidance, you can't really sign the form. It is like signing a blank cheque and letting them deal with it.

 

Think you now need to inform them that you will elevate the complaint to the FOS and take their response as their final letter. Then go onto the FOS site and start your complaint.

[Welshblonde]

I spoke to a lady from the FOS this morning who stated that as he wasn't the registered keeper she wasn't sure if I had a complaint. This is all such a mess and all because I didn't send off a piece a paper. Talk about a lesson learnt!

[Welshblonde]

Another question if my insurance states that I am allowed to drive any car that I am not the owner of as a third party - could my insurance pay out third party costs as I was not the owner only down as the registered keeper by error?

[unclebulgaria67]

If you read through this thread, it has given you plenty of information to help you make your complaint to the FOS.

 

Whether you complete the form or not, the Insurers will have to pay the third party, as the Insurers holding the risk under Road Traffic Acts. You are just not giving them a blank cheque.

[Welshblonde]

Thank you for all your help so far. It is very much appreciated.

[Conniff]

And lets not forget that insurance companies love taking money but hate giving any back so will try every trick in the book to avoid paying out.