Cancelled insurance help

That’s great @Muddledupzekey - glad it’s sorted!

They gave you the option to cancel before they did precisely so you don’t have a record of cancelled insurance that you have to declare. You cancelled it, as is your right in any situation, and it is not at all the same thing as them having cancelled it.

But you will have to be very careful to not try to take out a policy with any affiliated companies and that can be very hard to do when they all use various brand names to cover the same insurer.

Exactly - that’s what I would worry about too. You need to get it in writing that you don’t need to declare this. Don’t rely on what was said over the phone.

@Muddledupzekey I would look for a local insurance broker and go through them as they would be able to advise you and find you the best deal for your circumstances.

If you would prefer, you can cancel this policy before we do. If you cancel this policy, please be aware that the above points will still be applied

I would read this as there is no difference in this case whether the insurance company or the OP cancels, which is at odds with what was said over the phone.

I would want it in writing that it doesn't count as a voided or terminated policy

If Darwin confirms that the op cancelled then technically she doesn't have to declare it as a policy terminated by the insurance company.
It's like I have bought a van and had it converted into a motorhome, some insurance companies don't insure conversions unless done by the original manufacturer...I don't have to declare that I have had insurance declined.

Whilst insurance company's will decline for non disclosure, and I did it hundreds of times myself, in the example I gave above where the wife claimed her husband didn't tell her he was disqualified from driving, the ombudsman as it was at the time, found in the customer's favour.

Insurance companies have a habit of denying claims based on incomplete or incorrect information.

The email the OP recieved was materially a notice of cancellation. I would be very surprised if that wasn't used as a reason to decline coverage if someone were to make a claim on the OP's policy.

If it were me, I would declare the "cancellation" and let the insurance company decide its relevance.

The Darwin insurer has confirmed to OP that by her cancelling the policy, this means her insurer didn't cancel it. The insurer gave her notice of their intention to cancel the policy but gave her the option of cancelling it herself, which she took. OP has notified the new insurer of all these details and they have accepted this. I would recommend that OP continues to notify future insurers of the full circumstances in the same way and to keep records of timestamps of these notifications.

I don't this this is right

My understanding is that the insurer warned OP that they no longer wished to insure her and planned to cancel the policy, but gave OP the option to get in first and cancel it herself, which she did

OP ask for an email confirming that your insurance wasn't cancelled by the insurer and you should be ok

This ‘named driver’ has totally stitched you up. I would also be furious and very worried in your position. Will they pay for your (likely) increased premiums in future? Please be honest with any new provider.

Who is the new named driver?

I'd be furious that they had saddled me with this saga.

Have you got to the bottom of this unknown cancellation they had?

If it does not exist they must work to get it off their record so you can clear yours.

What else have they not told you about?

I would get what she says in writing to confirm. I once had Tesco choose not to renew my insurance (due to them changing underwriters) and had it in writing that it did not count has a cancelled or voided policy that needed to be declared.

I wouldn’t trust what someone tells you over the phone.

@Chiseltip it’s not necessarily true that she’s now screwed for life with insurance - lots of companies will cover you if you’ve had a policy cancelled or voided, you just need to be honest with them.

I remember reading a thread on Reddit where someone had a policy cancelled on them and it didn’t actually cost them any extra to declare it. It all depends on your claims history, why the policy was cancelled and the insurance company themselves. It’s certainly a cut and dry “you’re fucked”.

I would be extremely cautious OP. Factually, you have had a policy cancelled, they have quite literally informed you of this in writing.

You will be asked "have you ever had a policy cancelled?". The only correct answer to this question is "yes".

The small print on your next policy will also state "any incorrect information may invalidate your policy, and it will be treated as though it never existed"

I think that realistically, you can choose to not mention it, however, if there is a record of the cancellation on the MIB database (you can contact them and check this) then it WILL be discovered, in which case you will have your new policy cancelled as well. All insurance companies share data, so even if the MIB don't have a record, your previous provider will, and may still share the info. This would result in you having two cancelled policies on your record within a short period of time. If that were to happen, you wouldn't be able to insure a bicycle, let alone a car.

I wouldn't risk it, if you can get a quote with the cancellation, I would go with that. It's the lesser of the two potential issues.

Although not the best outcome, it is a good one and must be a relief! I hope you get to the bottom of the situation with the additional driver and that they didn't knowingly put you in this position.

This is great advice.

Op.there was an insurance ombudsman case about 30 years ago where the wife had a claim declined because her husband hadn't told her that he was banned from driving. Ring the company cancelling and say you answered 'to the best of your knowledge and belief ' or whatever their wording is, explain you were completely unaware and could you take the policy without the named driver. Lodge a formal complaint and go down the complaints route

Plus speak to the FSA for advice on what recourse you have... you may have to renew and then complain to get your record sorted

Yes. You will have to declare it, your policy has been cancelled and there will a record of this. Unfortunately, this means that UK Insurance underwriters will not offer you any cover in future. UK Insurance underwrites Direct Line, Churchill, and a few others..

You can try Admiral, LV, Axa, Aviva, as those aren't affiliated with UK Insurance. However, because you've had a policy cancelled, you're unlikely to be offered cover by any company. You are now classed as a fraud risk, and as such are basically un-insurable.

Sorry OP, your named driver really stiched you up on this.

Ther may be brokers who specialise in high risk drivers that would be able to offer you cover, but premiums will be eye-watering, around 1k per annum more expensive than your old one.