Insurance NCB - cannt work this one out

[gemini]

Boy do they get you all ways.
Ive paid a premium for 5 yrs not having made a claim.
I then buy a TVR and insure through one of those fancy TVRCC recommended companies. They tell me Ok we'll put you on a classic policy so for 4 yrs (again claim free) I sail along happy.
Now when I need to insure a second car (for work) I am told that I cannot use the 9yrs NCB that I think I have because it was held on a classic policy which didnt actually "use" the NCB. Because the NCB wasn't "used" the original 5yrs NCB I thought I had really expired after 3 yrs of not using it.

What? SO now Ive not claimed for 9 years and had a motor policy running consistently for all those years I have No NCB???!!!
This cannot be right?
Im like a new driver again with silly premiums

Anyone out there from Insurance land that knows what's what?
Ways round?


>>> Edited by gemini on Tuesday 20th August 09:52

[SGirl]

I got round this by buying a cheap runabout so I still had a car that was using the NCB... Otherwise you're right, Classic policies (mine anyway!) don't "use" NCBs so they expire eventually. A cunning plan by the insurance companies.

Unfortunately you have to insure a second car before the NCB runs out...

[PetrolTed]

That's the reason I didn't take a classic policy. They did tell me that for a year or so the NCB would still be valid, but not in the long run.

Given that company car drivers can sometimes get discounts for accident free driving, perhaps you should ask for a similar concession?

[Bodo]

Not so O/T but another scenario:
started my British classic car insurance with a 4 yrs. NCB four claim-free years ago. When I cancel it now, will I have a 4yrs. NCB on normal insurances?

Thanks for replies,
Bodo

[TJMurphy]

Too late now I guess if you've been done on this classic NCB thing.
But, for (my) future reference, am I right in thinking that for couples with two cars, you can switch the name on the policies around on the annual renewal. This then keeps both of your NCB's intact and "fresh". So if one was on a classic policy then you could keep your NCB on the normal policy as well. Presumably most couples would be insured on both cars so I don't believe it's like the old trick of having your teenage offspring as a named driver on their own car.
I was told this when I was first getting a company car (I was worried about losing my NCB after 3 years). IIRC it was an insurance broker who said this.
Also of course if one of you has an accident you're back to square one.

[gemini]

quote:
Not so O/T but another scenario:
started my British classic car insurance with a 4 yrs. NCB four claim-free years ago. When I cancel it now, will I have a 4yrs. NCB on normal insurances?

I started mine with 5yrs NCB but now after the 4 claim free years have no valid NCB
I think this is what will happen to you!
Bugger isnt it?
I feel shafted!

[SGirl]

quote:But, for (my) future reference, am I right in thinking that for couples with two cars, you can switch the name on the policies around on the annual renewal. This then keeps both of your NCB's intact and "fresh". So if one was on a classic policy then you could keep your NCB on the normal policy as well.

Yes, you can do this. We had two separate Classic policies and took turns insuring the "spare" car so as to keep the NCBs running. Now I don't have a Classic policy any more so he insures the runabout each year although the car is actually registered to me.

[Podie]

Might be worth going back to the insurers you had PRIOR to the classic policy (where you got 5 years NCB) and asking if they can give you something to say that you had that level of NCB.

They MAY also give you some NCB as a goodwill gesture if you go back with them, whilst other insurers may look upon you with friendly eyes.

It's worth a go, since you have nothing to lose!

[jmorgan]

Had this whilst changing from "one" to the "other". "Other" accepted a letter saying no claims had been made on "one" policy. Don't know if they all do that though.

[MajorClanger]

Might be worth talking to a broker like Sunninghill who matched my existing NCB when I bought the second car. Also, shop around for deals. Some companies will offer introductory prices.

It's all too easy to get too focussed on NCB when getting the cheapest deal and best service is what you you really want.

Happy hunting

MC

[gemini]

Thanks for all the advice

Got a letter from my 5yr NCB company saying 5yrs NCB

The TVR company then added 4 yrs to that and sent me a very nice letter saying they had given me 9yrs NCB

The new insurance company are going to accept that as proof of 9yrs NCB

Maybe its not all over yet?

Quote dropped by 60%

[Podie]

Cool... nice to know that someone out there in the world of insurance has some kind of common sense.

Good result!