Little win - insurance underwriter

[TravisBickle]

Underwriter tried to cancel my son's policy for misrepresentation because when they asked when he got his licence we entered the start date of his category AM licence (not the start date of his category A licence) as they did not specify which they were asking for, and technically that was the date he first obtained a full motorcycle licence. They took the view that this was misrepresentation and gave us 7 days notice that the policy was being terminated. As we were getting jerked around by customer services by phone and email while trying to argue our case (basically being told tough shit by everyone and when we asked to speak to someone with more authority the response was "no") we had to lodge a formal complaint (TWO MONTHS AGO!) so that we could refer it to the Financial Ombudsman at a later date if our complaint was not upheld. This also put the cancellation on hold so he's continued to hold insurance while we were waiting for the outcome. Two months down the line, this is part of the response to our complaint we have just received:

On review, and after concluding my investigation, I do agree that the Aggregator questions are not clear, and they do not give the option also for the different categories of motorcycles licences. They do have a help box on the side explaining the different categories, however, I do appreciate they do not ask for the specific categories when incepting the policy. As such, in the interest of treating you fairly, the Underwriter has agreed to allow your policy to continue and to also note the policy for your renewal to continue with the same licence start date, should you wish to continue with us in the future.

In summary, I am unable to uphold your complaint. I am satisfied that the Underwriter was entitled to exercise their right to cancel your policy due to the discrepancy with your licence length, which gave you 7 days to explain the situation and the cancellation was put on hold. The decision has now been overturned, as I agree the aggregator questions asked at the time of inception of your policy do not give clear or concise questions nor options in order to get the correct categories of motorcycle licenses disclosed. As explained above your policy has been noted of this and we are happy to continue cover.

Just thought I'd share that.

It's nice to get little wins like this on occasion and stick it to the man!
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2024 BMW M1000XR
2021 Honda CMX500 Rebel S
2016 Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport

[P.]

Your whole family seems to be thick as shit. I am pretty sure you know when you passed a "full" bike licence which is an unrestricted licence.

[TravisBickle]

And when you're 21 and only have A2 licence, and the same question is asked of you, phrased in exactly the same way, would you say the same then? So anyone giving the date they got their A2 licence is effectively lying because they don't currently possess category A?

What about if you're 24, have category A, but only ride a 46bhp bike? What date do you give them then? The date you passed A2 or the date you passed A?

It's not as black and white as you're making out, the question isn't specific to the category, and should be, especially if they're going to try to cancel policies for misrepresentation because of it.

Thick as shit. Hardly. We knew it was an ambiguous question when we filled it in, and clearly knowingly gave the answer that would give us the most appealing premium without actually lying. Seems to have gone in our favour, albeit with a little bit of a fight.
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2024 BMW M1000XR
2021 Honda CMX500 Rebel S
2016 Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport

[P.]

[TravisBickle]

[Easy-X]

TBF half the insurance forms I've filled in all ask the same thing: when did you get your licence? For most people that's a provisional at 16 if only for ID purposes rather than vehicular command. Some specifically say "full licence" but again: for what sort of vehicle? Logically one might think road experience of any kind would lower premiums in general.

Only recently and then only for motorcycle specific insurers have I been asked: when did you get a full licence, when did you get a motorcycle entitlement and a what level.

That being said, when it comes to insurance I find it's safer to paint the worst picture and you can't get caught out. I do have the luxury of age though so it only matters a few quid either way. Not so for anyone under thirty.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[TravisBickle]

[Baffler186]

Well done. All the insurers I've dealt with in the past seem to have no clue what different classes of motorcycle licence are.

It was similar with my lads moped, he only has his CBT and they asked when did he get his license. Even though "Moped (50cc)" was selected, so we had to give the date he was issued his provisional. There was not even a field for date of CBT certificate
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[P.]

[TravisBickle]

[P.]

[TravisBickle]

[P.]

I can literally call my insurer and speak to a human within a minute... if you aren't happy with the call times, use your brain and vote with your wallet.

You are paying for the service, get what you pay for or leave. Or in your case, moan whine bitch and cry until you weasel your way out.

I took a photo of my concrete base wooden 'shed' which contains 2 bikes and they said "thats not a garage in our books" so I put driveway. Not hard, not complicated, just matter of course.

You are out here making your own life harder. Use a braincell once in a while.

[TravisBickle]

[Ayrton]

I think they could write it a little better but it's pretty obvious you are supposed to put the date you obtained your current license, not when you got a provisional for a moped Sounds to me like you deliberately committed insurance fraud and was just lucky they had ambiguous wording.

No point taking a risk with insurance imo, too much of a risk that you have a crash and they refuse to pay out after going through your policy.

[TravisBickle]

[P.]

You. Call. Your. Fucking. Insurer.

Any. Ambiguity. Is. Uncertainty.

I'm genuinely fucking bored of dumb people. I bought house insurance last month and read through my statement of insurance, I called my insurer and I added some personal items as they didn't appear to be included.

Rather than winging it and hoping my.house doesn't burn down and erroneously assume my guitars were covered Vs 5 mins on a phone.

If you aren't sure. Ask. If you were on 46hp licence they'll want some proof unless you wanna risk that too.

Salads everywhere.

[Easy-X]

I'd imagine if you were insuring an A2 bike then when you first became entitled to ride an A2 bike would be most relevant. Then again, having an entitlement to full-powered bikes shows the sort of commitment underwriters might like even if it's more recent. AM doesn't really say anything as almost everyone has it stamped on their licence.

As to 45min waits for customer service I can't say I've specifically experienced it with insurance but I won't be renewing my contract with Vodafone as their CRM system sucks balls!
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[P.]

[DJP]

I'm glad I'm old and from the generation when there was only one "Full" license.

1987, ya cunts.
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Suzuki Bandit 1250
https://deejayp999.atwebpages.com/index.html
That's http not https

[Capt Sisko]

[Polarbear]

I passed my car test years after my bike, Can I put my bike license date when asking for car insurance.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[sickpup]

[Easy-X]

Something to bear in mind: how are the underwriters coming up with their numbers?

Rate tables and algorithms have parameters to plug in and spilt a risk value out. I'm sure if we could "peek under the bonnet" this would all make a lot more sense.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[P.]

Security through obscurity. Can't save money if you don't know the calculation