I haven't had a claim in since 1992 and if my motor hadn't been a serious write-off I wouldn't even have put one in then. Since that time I have had accident free motoring which had in combination with my age resulted in lower Premiums, (why do they call them premiums? Every other bill is known as a bill).
For a while however I have been Car free so I haven't needed insurance, then I re-inherited the little Ford Fiesta from my daughter.
It needed insurance, I looked on the web and a company offered me a very good deal, I filled in the details and was accepted. Then when the bumph arrived all I had to do was put details of my last insurer in their pre-paid Envelope, this I did, yesterday I received a letter from them please contact urgently, Ring, ring, usual shuffle around departments, We are sorry to inform you Sir, that because it is two and a half years since you had car insurance your no-claims is no longer valid and we will have to cancel your policy.
Gobsmacked was not the word that can describe my feelings, what am I supposed to do I asked, We'll put you through to our sales department for a fresh quote, (fortunatley she added, don't worry we won't cancel this policy until they transfer you back).
I went through all the required details with the salesman, the computer quote he assured me was a very good deal it was after all
only two and a half times your original quote!
I tried to explain that although I hadn't had insurance of my own I was the named driver on both my daughter's and my son's car insurance and that because I was on my daughters insurance and she is under 25 she gets 50% off for having me on her policy
as a safe driver!
It didn't work, put me back to the other department please there is no way I am paying more in insurance than what the car is worth.
I eventually got back to the original department, ring, ring etc. not the same person! (I then had to explain yet again why I was on the 'phone in the first place).
OK. so are you sorted she asked? , yes I'm sorted I replied cancel the policy I'll find someone else, right sir to cancel the policy, we require the full deposit that you have already paid plus one months payment because you didn't cancel within 14 days, £25.00 legal costs and £1.00 for administration!
I told her to go swivel, That £1.00 Administration, that was the straw on the Camels back. There was no administration they are the ones that should administrate not me! it should come out of the other money they have ripped me off for.
Tune in same time same place, when I give you a description of what the food tastes like in debtors prison!
