Black Box - Insurance Cancelled

[NewCarGuy]

I received an email from my insurer telling me the following.



I had their app installed on my phone since the policy started just over a month ago and every time I checked it, it would tell me that I haven't driven enough to be given a score yet. I received no warning, just an email/letter telling me about the above cancellation in 7 days.

What are my options here? Can I appeal this? Do I get a refund as I paid for the whole year up-front?

Can I contact them and cancel the insurance before the 7 days so it doesn't go on my record as a cancelled policy?

Is there anything else I should know/ask/explore?

[texaxile]

Get as much evidence as you can, and call a good Solicitor.

Having insurance cancelled is a question asked when applying for a new policy and the load is considerable is the answer is "yes"

Speak to and maybe engage BM "AGT Law" in the "Speed plod and Law" sub forum, and get legal advice from here on. That (professional legal advice) is literally your only option.

The initial expense is well worth years of headache.

Edited by texaxile on Saturday 29th June 21:36

[Mr E]

So, no box in the car? Just an app?
Do you have to have the app running when you drive?

[texaxile]

Mr E said:

So, no box in the car? Just an app?
Do you have to have the app running when you drive?

I'm guessing by the topic title there's a BB installed.

[NewCarGuy]

Mr E said:

So, no box in the car? Just an app?
Do you have to have the app running when you drive?

Yes, the black box was installed the day it arrived in the post

[FMOB]

I would ask for a copy of the records they hold and a written explanation explaining their decision to withdraw your cover.

Just sending a letter basically saying you are not meeting your end of the deal without any evidence is poor at best.

[Flumpo]

Sorry if this his a stupid question. Do you think it’s a mistake at their end or do you think you have broken their driving rules?

Does the app let you download the data so you can see what it says?

[NewCarGuy]

.

Edited by NewCarGuy on Saturday 29th June 22:34

[Alex Z]

Definitely push them for evidence of what you appear to have done wrong, as this will have a big impact on insurance for years.

Is it realistic that you might have been driving in a way they don’t like?

[phil1979]

Was there a curfew on your policy, I wonder?

If so, perhaps you didn't Ride on Time?

[NewCarGuy]

Alex Z said:

Definitely push them for evidence of what you appear to have done wrong, as this will have a big impact on insurance for years.

Is it realistic that you might have been driving in a way they don’t like?

I've just sent them an email with the following:

"Please provide a copy of the records that you hold and a written explanation explaining your decision to withdraw my car insurance cover.

You have not provided me with any warnings nor has your app provided me with any feedback regarding my driving.

In addition to this, please confirm that you will be refunding my car insurance premium which was paid in full for the year as you are cancelling my policy unjustly and outside of the terms of our agreement."

They didn't provide any warning or feedback as you can see in the screenshots from their app.

Edited by NewCarGuy on Saturday 29th June 22:34

[NewCarGuy]

phil1979 said:

Was there a curfew on your policy, I wonder?

If so, perhaps you didn't Ride on Time?

No curfew, I read their terms before agreeing to insure with them because I was wary this could happen but their terms read to me that only good behaviour is "rewarded" by a cheaper renewal next year. I didn't read anything about them being able to cancel my policy if they don't like my driving behaviour.

I'm 30 years old for reference and have been driving for 8 years.

[FMOB]

NewCarGuy said:

phil1979 said:

Was there a curfew on your policy, I wonder?

If so, perhaps you didn't Ride on Time?

No curfew, I read their terms before agreeing to insure with them because I was wary this could happen but their terms read to me that only good behaviour is "rewarded" by a cheaper renewal next year. I didn't read anything about them being able to cancel my policy if they don't like my driving behaviour.

I'm 30 years old for reference and have been driving for 8 years.

Driving for 8 years and on a black box policy! That is long enough to pick up a few bad habits, I thought these were for new drivers until they get a bit of ncb and then bin it to get the monkey off your back.

Other thought, how well installed is the box, if it is loose it may give incorrect data, take photos of the box install as further evidence.

Edited by FMOB on Saturday 29th June 22:31

[NewCarGuy]

FMOB said:

Driving for 8 years and on a black box policy! That is long enough to pick up a few bad habits, I thought these were for new drivers until they get a bit of ncb and then bin it to get the monkey off your back.

I only went with it because the annual cost was half the price of the next lowest quote without a blackbox. I 100% regret not just paying the extra without a box though now, will never choose a black box policy again after this experience.

[pingu393]

They have banned you after 24 miles? Holy Moly.

Don't go into too much detail on a public forum about what you think you may have done wrong.

[texaxile]

pingu393 said:

They have banned you after 24 miles? Holy Moly.

Don't go into too much detail on a public forum about what you think you may have done wrong.

1000% right.

Get some legal advice on this, professional legal advice.

The cost is well worth it.

[Jasey_]

https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/freed...

Reviews don't look promising

Good luck

[Geertsen]

My money is on not installing the black box correctly, removing it or not having it onboard in some other way. You’d have to be driving pretty wildly to be cancelled after 24 miles.

[Geertsen]

This is probably worth reading if you haven’t already:

https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/c...

[NRG1976]

Shambles of a firm.