Nightmare Insurance Company

[yaris781]

Thought I'll warn you guys about an experience I had with a certain insurance company

I renewed my policy last year as it was cheapest quote I had found. Everything was supposed to be done online including any changes etc. they asked me for proof of no claims. Bonus which I'd expected them to and I forwaded on to them

Everything was fine until a few weeks ago when the renewal came through. Once again they were competitive and I decided to stay with them. 7 days later I received an email that I need to send copies of my driving licence and proof of no claims. I thought this must be a standard automatically produced letter. I emailed them back saying I gave you all these last year. The response I got was its company policy that you provide us these documents or your policy will be cancelled then went on that if they cancel it would be difficult for me to buy insurance as I had a policy cancelled. By now I was confused and honestly didn't know how to respond back. Once again I told them the same and got same response. By now I was fed up and gave them Tbe copies of the no claims bonus (which was from them anyway) and the copies of our licences. Anyway after all that got a letter and email today saying they have cancelled my insurance ad of 24/02/2012 as I did not provide them with proof of NCB and driving licences.

I just can't believe how pathetic this company is and the stupid policy of providing proof of NCB when they've given me the proof themselves.

I've sent them a letter stating all the facts and how poor their service has been. In the last 25 years I've never ever had this problem. To think I was alone in this but was chatting to someone at work and they've had similar problems and he cancelled it himself.

I've written them a very strong letter expressing how unfair and senseless their policies are and that if I don't get a reasonable response I'll take the matter to the ombudsman do see what their response is

I'm not sure if I can mention the companies name so will refrain from that for now

[jedi134]

Sounds like Sureterm Direct, they quoted me £300 cheaper than anyone else, but wanted to know the ins and outs of a cats bottom. They wanted me to fill out numerous forms, and kept asking me from my card number all the time...I went with some else £300 more for peace of mind.

Next day they rang me again, asking for my card number quoting " its a great deal" lol....

The film boiler room springs to mind with this firm :D

[acetip]

One wonders if they are that bad just to get insured by them,what would it be like if you had to make a claim. hate to think.

[Davrav]

And the company is?

[yaris781]

Found some reviews of the company seems like I'm not the only unhappy person.

I would dread to see what problems you could encounter if you were to make a claim

http://m.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.ecarinsurance.co.uk

Think speaks for itself

[MarsKy]

I've been with the same insurance company for the last 10 years (always the cheapest and great customer service) but they always ask me every year for proof of NCB, even though they issue the bl**dy thing. A phone call always sorts it out.

Quite unusual for the driving license needing to be forwarded. Even if you have points on it, they don't usually ask for it until you have an accident. And then if you hadn't declared the points to them, they can use it as an excuse to invalidate your insurance...

And what I've found out lately: when you apply for insurance, you need to get the basic spec for your car, and then notify the insurance company of any factory fitted options, and then any modifications after that. So I had to notify them of an added towbar and adaptive headlights and cornering lights (which I thought were standard but were a factory fitted extra). No extra cost, but the want to know everything that deviates from the basic factory spec. Or your insurance may be invalidated.

And then inform them of anything you would like to declare with respect to points on your license.

[MarsKy]

Oh - and cancelling your insurance is a biggie. You always get asked when you apply if you have ever had insurance cancelled or been rejected for insurance.

I would try and get that overturned, as every time you go for insurance (car, home and contents, etc.) it will come up, and could cause problems in getting insurance or claiming later on.

Have you applied for new insurance and been accepted?

[yaris781]

I have managed to get insurance with another provider and asked them to make a note on their system with regards to the previous company

I appreciate about declaring everything which I do. The NCB thing is stupid as theyve sent and same as the licence as nothing has changed and they have copies anyway

I'm surprised that with all the reviews they have had no one has done anything about it. There's an article in a newspaper about the company too so just don't understand.

I'm glad I didn't have a claim

[crofter]

I've been with the same insurance company for the last 10 years (always the cheapest and great customer service) but they always ask me every year for proof of NCB, even though they issue the bl**dy thing. A phone call always sorts it out.

Quite unusual for the driving license needing to be forwarded. Even if you have points on it, they don't usually ask for it until you have an accident. And then if you hadn't declared the points to them, they can use it as an excuse to invalidate your insurance...

And what I've found out lately: when you apply for insurance, you need to get the basic spec for your car, and then notify the insurance company of any factory fitted options, and then any modifications after that. So I had to notify them of an added towbar and adaptive headlights and cornering lights (which I thought were standard but were a factory fitted extra). No extra cost, but the want to know everything that deviates from the basic factory spec. Or your insurance may be invalidated.

And then inform them of anything you would like to declare with respect to points on your license.

After reading Marksy's post I contacted my insurance rep to see if sidesteps fitted affect the premium on my cover.

I was asked if they where OEM parts (yes) and if they were "professionally fitted" then that was OK no added premium, and they may ask for proof of this in the case of a claim!!

Being a fitter/mechanic since leaving school in civilian and military roles made no differance if I had fitted them myself.The mind boggles!! It aint rocket science.

Del

[Hoovie]

After reading Marksy's post I contacted my insurance rep to see if sidesteps fitted affect the premium on my cover.

I was asked if they where OEM parts (yes) and if they were "professionally fitted" then that was OK no added premium, and they may ask for proof of this in the case of a claim!!

Being a fitter/mechanic since leaving school in civilian and military roles made no differance if I had fitted them myself.The mind boggles!! It aint rocket science.

Del

If they are asking the direct question "are they professionally fitted" then you could totally legitimately say yes even if you fitted them yourself as you are a mechanic and therefore a professional in that field surely.

It is the same as when if comes to various work in a house where the test may be " was it done by a 'competent' person" - if you are competent, you can say yes with a completely clear conscience

[dwilson]

Thank you very much for this post Yaris 781 - how shocking that an insurance company operates in this way. I shall definitely avoid.

David

[Andy Pigott]

Yaris781 - wow, the link really highlights a nightmare company best avoided. Thanks for the heads up.

Andy

[Scorpion-gb]

Hmmm, I've never heard of this company and judging by posts I have read here and on other forums I try to avoid 'minor' insurance dealers. Had to use Adrian Flux and then Sureterm for my imported Surfs but luckily never had any hassle, I even had all the mods included on my policy.

I also use Adrian Flux for my little off road Vitara as it has a 2" suspension lift and 3" body lift (Sureterm will only cover up to a 2" lift).

Just renewed the policy on my wifes Ford Galaxy and the cheapest quote was £178.00 fully comp with protected NCB from the AA, not bad at all!