INSURANCE COMPANY TAKING THE MICHAEL?

[Kevin-2g5x2]

Father who is elderly pensioner renewed his insurance with company linked to a Naval rank, then received e mail saying they needed to see copy of V5 as there appeared to be a 'discrepancy'.
After sending it to them they replied that he'd stated on renewal he'd owned the car since Jan 2013 when in fact V5 showed Jan 2016, he obviously made genuine error.
They now want an additional £72 including £26 admin fee, I think they are taking the Mick, he's been driving the car for over 8 years so it's not as if it's a new to him vehicle that he's not familiar with and may be more of a risk.
Not paid up yet, anyone got any suggestions other than pleading with a 'manager' or phoning Martyn Lewis to put it in the public domain?

[Mr E]

V5 is not proof of ownership.
Find another insurer.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Do an imaginary quote online with the exact same details as your dad, with car owned since 2013 and 2016. If there's a difference, then fair enough. If there isn't, they're taking the piss.

[Mr_J]

The insured vehicle is newer than originally declared and arguably valued at a higher price, seems pretty reasonable that the premium would increase.

[MB140]

Mr_J said:

The insured vehicle is newer than originally declared and arguably valued at a higher price, seems pretty reasonable that the premium would increase.

Doesn’t say that at all. Just says his father has owned it less than thought.

The car could be 20 years old for all we know. All that is in dispute is how long he’s owned it for. The insurance know its age from the reg number alone.

[Mr_J]

MB140 said:

Mr_J said:

The insured vehicle is newer than originally declared and arguably valued at a higher price, seems pretty reasonable that the premium would increase.

Doesn’t say that at all. Just says his father has owned it less than thought.

The car could be 20 years old for all we know. All that is in dispute is how long he’s owned it for. The insurance know its age from the reg number alone.

True, my mistake.

[NortonES2]

MB140 said:

Doesn’t say that at all. Just says his father has owned it less than thought.

The car could be 20 years old for all we know. All that is in dispute is how long he’s owned it for. The insurance know its age from the reg number alone.

Might be on a personal number plate

[Mr Tidy]

Kevin-2g5x2 said:

Father who is elderly pensioner renewed his insurance with company linked to a Naval rank, then received e mail saying they needed to see copy of V5 as there appeared to be a 'discrepancy'.
After sending it to them they replied that he'd stated on renewal he'd owned the car since Jan 2013 when in fact V5 showed Jan 2016, he obviously made genuine error.
They now want an additional £72 including £26 admin fee, I think they are taking the Mick, he's been driving the car for over 8 years so it's not as if it's a new to him vehicle that he's not familiar with and may be more of a risk.
Not paid up yet, anyone got any suggestions other than pleading with a 'manager' or phoning Martyn Lewis to put it in the public domain?

I really can't see how owning the car longer justifies any increase!

My nephew had to deal with that insurer some years ago when they made his car a Cat S based on photos from his phone - it was only a Cat N because of part prices.

I'd be looking for another insurer!

[CanAm]

NortonES2 said:

MB140 said:

Doesn’t say that at all. Just says his father has owned it less than thought.

The car could be 20 years old for all we know. All that is in dispute is how long he’s owned it for. The insurance know its age from the reg number alone.

Might be on a personal number plate

Even if it’s been changed, the Reg number gives them the date of first registration.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Mr Tidy said:

I really can't see how owning the car longer justifies any increase!

Nope, he's owned the car for less time than he originally declared. It's a known fact that driving a car that's new and unfamiliar to you increases your risk of having an accident. But I'd be amazed if there are stats to say after 8 years of ownership, you're more of a risk than 11 years of ownership.

It could be an admin fee to change the details, which they have to do now they know the correct info. OP's dad has cost them time and money by not getting it right initially. Seems a bit heavy though, £75.

[Mr Tidy]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Nope, he's owned the car for less time than he originally declared. It's a known fact that driving a car that's new and unfamiliar to you increases your risk of having an accident. But I'd be amazed if there are stats to say after 8 years of ownership, you're more of a risk than 11 years of ownership.

It could be an admin fee to change the details, which they have to do now they know the correct info. OP's dad has cost them time and money by not getting it right initially. Seems a bit heavy though, £75.

So even you seem to reluctantly agree it's a piss-take then!

What's all this admin-fee nonsense anyway?

Would you buy a car from a vendor charging an admin fee to put a few details on a V5?

[CanAm]

Mr Tidy said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Nope, he's owned the car for less time than he originally declared. It's a known fact that driving a car that's new and unfamiliar to you increases your risk of having an accident. But I'd be amazed if there are stats to say after 8 years of ownership, you're more of a risk than 11 years of ownership.

It could be an admin fee to change the details, which they have to do now they know the correct info. OP's dad has cost them time and money by not getting it right initially. Seems a bit heavy though, £75.

So even you seem to reluctantly agree it's a piss-take then!

What's all this admin-fee nonsense anyway?

Would you buy a car from a vendor charging an admin fee to put a few details on a V5?

No, as a matter of principle I wouldn't. But a lot of dealers are sneaking in an Admin charge.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

CanAm said:

Mr Tidy said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Nope, he's owned the car for less time than he originally declared. It's a known fact that driving a car that's new and unfamiliar to you increases your risk of having an accident. But I'd be amazed if there are stats to say after 8 years of ownership, you're more of a risk than 11 years of ownership.

It could be an admin fee to change the details, which they have to do now they know the correct info. OP's dad has cost them time and money by not getting it right initially. Seems a bit heavy though, £75.

So even you seem to reluctantly agree it's a piss-take then!

What's all this admin-fee nonsense anyway?

Would you buy a car from a vendor charging an admin fee to put a few details on a V5?

No, as a matter of principle I wouldn't. But a lot of dealers are sneaking in an Admin charge.

Yup, many used car places have a £99 admin fee or whatever. Especially cheapo places. One of the ways some of these bargain bucket insurers can charge low prices is by having in their Ts & Cs high admin charges for any alterations. It's not new news.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Mr Tidy said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Nope, he's owned the car for less time than he originally declared. It's a known fact that driving a car that's new and unfamiliar to you increases your risk of having an accident. But I'd be amazed if there are stats to say after 8 years of ownership, you're more of a risk than 11 years of ownership.

It could be an admin fee to change the details, which they have to do now they know the correct info. OP's dad has cost them time and money by not getting it right initially. Seems a bit heavy though, £75.

So even you seem to reluctantly agree it's a piss-take then!

If they are genuinely saying owning a car for 8 years makes you higher risk than 11 years, then yes, a piss take. If they are charging £75 admin fee, that was in the Ts & Cs your dad agreed to in order to get cheap insurance in the first place, then that's fair enough. He should have read about the high admin fees and made absolutely sure he got everything spot on.

[king arthur]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

If they are genuinely saying owning a car for 8 years makes you higher risk than 11 years, then yes, a piss take. If they are charging £75 admin fee, that was in the Ts & Cs your dad agreed to in order to get cheap insurance in the first place, then that's fair enough. He should have read about the high admin fees and made absolutely sure he got everything spot on.

Read the OP. The admin fee is £26, they want an additional £75 including that. Piss take IMO.

I am with an insurance company that is named after a naval rank and if the thngs I'm reading about them on here are true I won't be when my policy is up for renewal.

[Richard-D]

I'm not sure if I've ever been asked how long I've owned a car when insuring it. I certainly haven't in the last few years.

The only similar questions I've answered are how long I've held a licence and age of car. Are you sure the discrepancy is about the length of ownership?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Richard-D said:

I'm not sure if I've ever been asked how long I've owned a car when insuring it. I certainly haven't in the last few years.

The only similar questions I've answered are how long I've held a licence and age of car. Are you sure the discrepancy is about the length of ownership?

I've always been asked

Maybe it varies by company?

[recordman]

Richard-D said:

I'm not sure if I've ever been asked how long I've owned a car when insuring it. I certainly haven't in the last few years.

The only similar questions I've answered are how long I've held a licence and age of car. Are you sure the discrepancy is about the length of ownership?

I'm pretty sure most comparison sites ask the month/year the vehicle was acquired.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

I'm usually asked about length of ownership.

[Kevin-2g5x2]

Some interesting comments, it wasn't a bargain cheap insurance company it was renewal with a major player in the business, the premium wasn't cheap either (£890) this with forever NCD no convictions, claims or accidents, just old age for a driver which he accepts as why the cost is what it is.
On renewal he discussed premium by phone with an advisor, assures me he didn't say he'd owned it 3 yrs longer than he has so date may have been given when he insured with them the previous year, I'll see what a phone call with them reveals tomorrow.