Insurance Backdated

random.stranger

Hi All,
I was away on holidays for a couple of weeks & let my insurance expire. When I arrived home I called my insurer to get covered.

When I recieved my paperwork today, I see they backdated my policy to the expiry date of my previous policy. The way I see it, they are charging me for two weeks cover, when I wasn't actually covered.

Before I call them & start making noise, I thought I'd post here to see if there are any downsides to having gaps in insurance cover (does this effect no claims bonus etc)?

Chippy01

What's the problem?
Would you normally cancel or suspend your insurance policy when you go on holiday?

I had the same thing with Zurich in October (but only for 2 days) and when I queried it, they explained that they could actually start it again from the date I paid, but that would involve them requoting me etc and would probably not work out in my favour.
So if I were you, I would just leave it as it as it could end up costing you more!

keithclancy

random.stranger wrote: »

Hi All,
I was away on holidays for a couple of weeks & let my insurance expire. When I arrived home I called my insurer to get covered.

When I recieved my paperwork today, I see they backdated my policy to the expiry date of my previous policy. The way I see it, they are charging me for two weeks cover, when I wasn't actually covered.

Before I call them & start making noise, I thought I'd post here to see if there are any downsides to having gaps in insurance cover (does this effect no claims bonus etc)?

The renewel quote was from the date of expiry, if you wanted insurance from the date you called you should have requested a new quote.

galwaytt

...you wouldn't be moaning if your car had been damaged or stolen whilst you were away...:rolleyes:

.........there's people that'd give their eye-teeth for back-dating of insurance.................but usually for nefarious reasons !

random.stranger

random.stranger wrote: »

Hi All,
I was away on holidays for a couple of weeks & let my insurance expire. When I arrived home I called my insurer to get covered.

When I recieved my paperwork today, I see they backdated my policy to the expiry date of my previous policy. The way I see it, they are charging me for two weeks cover, when I wasn't actually covered.

Before I call them & start making noise, I thought I'd post here to see if there are any downsides to having gaps in insurance cover (does this effect no claims bonus etc)?

Most, (if not all) insurers issue a cover note to cover for 10 days after expiry so that your covered while you are sorting your renewal anyway. Otherwise, instead of starting a new policy, you just renewed, which is why they "back-dated".

They technically just kept your previous policy running, you cant actually back-date a policy, otherwise you could have an accident and THEN go get insurance backdated and you would be covered.

If that makes sense?

Pkiernan

random.stranger wrote: »

. The way I see it, they are charging me for two weeks cover, when I wasn't actually covered.
QUOTE]


Actually you were covered for those two weeks, so you are not being overcharged.

Anan1

Actually, I agree with the OP. I'd call them and have them begin cover from the date of the phone call to renew. NCB isn't generally affected by a lapse of less than two years.

Barr

If your on direct debits your renewal rolls over automatically.

Did you sent back your cert + disc if you wanted your policy cancelled ?

Anan1

Barr wrote: »

If your on direct debits your renewal rolls over automatically.

Did you sent back your cert + disc if you wanted your policy cancelled ?

Cert & disc would have expired. The way I see it, the OP paid for a year's insurance and got it. Two weeks after the expiry of that policy the OP paid for a new policy, which should have started on the date of payment and run for a year from that date. There is no obligation on the policyholder to inform the ins co that they do not wish to renew an expired policy.

Anan1

Anan1 wrote: »

Cert & disc would have expired. The way I see it, the OP paid for a year's insurance and got it. Two weeks after the expiry of that policy the OP paid for a new policy, which should have started on the date of payment and run for a year from that date. There is no obligation on the policyholder to inform the ins co that they do not wish to renew an expired policy.

That's the issue. It's not a new policy, if it was a new policy a new policy number and a new quote would be issued. The OP didn't ask for a new quote or a new policy, he rang to renew, and that's the way renewals work.

Anan1

Deleted User wrote: »

That's the issue. It's not a new policy, if it was a new policy a new policy number and a new quote would be issued. The OP didn't ask for a new quote or a new policy, he rang to renew, and that's the way renewals work.

You might have a point there, actually.

-Corkie-

Deleted User wrote: »

That's the issue. It's not a new policy, if it was a new policy a new policy number and a new quote would be issued. The OP didn't ask for a new quote or a new policy, he rang to renew, and that's the way renewals work.

Yes youre correct. I have a lot of different vehicles insured with the one company. I can stop a policy if the vehicle is not going to be used at the renewal. However If i have a vehicle of the road and renew and forget to tell them i still have to pay from renewal.

Hope i am not confusing:). Anyway op what money are you going to save for 2 weeks insurance???. If you can afford to go on hols for 2 weeks, 2 weeks insurance shouldnt bother ya.;)

Btw great username above:p

thenightrider

galwaytt wrote: »

...you wouldn't be moaning if your car had been damaged or stolen whilst you were away...:rolleyes:

.........there's people that'd give their eye-teeth for back-dating of insurance.................but usually for nefarious reasons !

Ya but if the op's car was damaged or stolen i can asure you he would not have been covered and they would not pay out a cent

Barr

Anan1 wrote: »

Cert & disc would have expired. The way I see it, the OP paid for a year's insurance and got it. Two weeks after the expiry of that policy the OP paid for a new policy, which should have started on the date of payment and run for a year from that date. There is no obligation on the policyholder to inform the ins co that they do not wish to renew an expired policy.

The renewals usually contain the new cert + disc , well AVIVA policies work that way anyway. Not a great system imo.

I'm guessing the o/p is on some AVIVA policy given the fact it rolled over and is paying by direct debit.

P.C.

Anan1 wrote: »

There is no obligation on the policyholder to inform the ins co that they do not wish to renew an expired policy.

Yes, there is.

It is in the small print.



The issue is with the semantics - renewal Vs new policy.

Renewal is from the day the old policy expired.

New policy starts on the day that you specify (they actually ask you - 'when would you like the cover to start from').

oldyouth

P.C. wrote: »

Yes, there is.

It is in the small print..

Rubbish, that's why the legislation was changed obliging Insurers to send out your NCB in advance of the renewal date. It allows you move cover without ever having to go near your previous insurer again. 'Small print' indeed............

random.stranger

Pkiernan wrote: »

random.stranger wrote: »

. The way I see it, they are charging me for two weeks cover, when I wasn't actually covered.
QUOTE]


Actually you were covered for those two weeks, so you are not being overcharged.

Thanks everybody for your input. For the record, I wasn't aware that I was covered once the policy had expired.