stated vehicle is kept on the road overnight - new insurance was latterly cancelled...

[bigkahuna666]

Hello everyone,

 

I took out a vehicle insurance online via one of the van insurance comparison sites beginning of this month and paid the deposit of around £250 upfront with the first instalment of £130 coming out shortly after on the 10th of Feb.

 

Now, I just got home and had a letter (dated 20/02) from the insurance company, or rather the broker as it turns out, telling me that the insurer (they don't mention the name of the insurance company) advised them that my policy must be cancelled within the next 7 days. "This is because of where your vehicle is kept overnight".

 

The vehicle is kept on the road overnight, as I indicated on the comparison site, which based on all the information I have given listed the different insurers and their premiums, from which I had chosen this one.

 

The letter goes on to say that I urgently have to contact them so that they can place me with an alternative insurer.

 

Now I have a few questions:

 

1. First of all, I think this smells very fishy and I have doubts that this is legal?

 

2. I provided all the information beforehand, based on which I was given a premium. If this would have been an issue they should have not let me take out the insurance in the first place?

 

3. The vehicle is kept on the road overnight. I did not lie. It's not like I said it's kept in a garage when in actual fact it isn't. I mean everyone keeps their vehicle on the road, or at least the majority of the population? This would mean they would only have a handful of customers? Again, another reason why I think it doesn't make any sense?

 

4. Do I have 7 days from date of receipt of this letter, ie from today until the policy would be cancelled?

 

5. If I don't agree with this and they cancel me completely or I want to leave them as this is not a very honest start with them, can I get my money back? I haven't even been with them for a month. My installment from the 10th should at least take me up to the 10th of March, not to mention my £250 deposit I paid at the outset?

 

6. The premium is set up to be paid monthly through a financing deal, which I signed. Am I now required to pay the full premium every month to the Finance guys, even if the brokers or I end up cancelling altogether?

 

I would really appreciate if someone could explain the legalities of this all to me before I give them a call as I don't want to end up playing my cards wrong. Should I get legal help/advice to get my money back? Get in touch with watchdog?

 

I am a bit at a loss with this as you can probably tell so any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks a lot in advance!

[unclebulgaria67]

Unfortunately this is not that unusual with comparison sites. The data completed does not always transfer to the Insurers/brokers site to match exactly what you entered. You have to really check all of the information again carefully before proceeding

 

Check the comparison site that you completed if you can log in, to see what you entered. The comparison site can tell you, if you can't find it. Comparison sites have to comply with the same standards (FCA) as the Insurers/brokers, so if their systems caused this problem you can complain to them.

 

I don't think it is fishy. It is just that the Insurers won't cover your van parked on the road in the area where you live. They might have quoted because there was an issue with the data regarding where the van was parked. It might have assumed it was parked off the road. If the comparison site info was correct, then the issue is with the brokers site allowing cover with an underwriter that can't provide the cover.

 

In this situation the broker is responsible for honouring what they quoted, if you gave them the correct details. It is just the case of them using what you have paid already to cover the time on risk to the current Insurers. They can then use the money that is left towards cover with a different Insurers. They should ensure that the premium is the same as what was quoted originally. If they can't do that, then ask for a full refund and you will go elsewhere. Suggest that because of their mistake that they cover the time on risk and issue a full refund.

 

If they arrange cover with a different insurers at the same premium, you can keep to current finance to pay monthly. If they can't honour what they sold you, then they should cancel the finance at no cost to you and refund premiums.

 

Try and sort this out with the brokers, so you are not left out of pocket. A decent brokers will resolve this.