WARNING: Don't make a claim! (Norwich Union)

Member Name: sue.51

Product:	Norwich Union
Date:	10/05/01 (858 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap if you do everything right

Disadvantages: See text

I have now been driving for 12 years, and for 10 of them have kept a wonderfully clean unblemished record, no claims, no convictions, no problems.

HISTORY
4 years ago I changed my car insurance to CGU (now CGNU) as they offered the best quote. A year ago on renewing my insurance I had 7 years No Claims bonus and believed I had Protected No Claims. I also have a number of other major insurance policies with this company.

NEW CAR
Last year, in early summer, my partner and I finally decided we could afford to upgrade the car to something tidy, and set off on our search. We found the ideal car, and set about putting the wheels in motion to sort out the necessary details, upgraded the car insurance, which cost about an extra £200 as it was a better car with a much higher value, no problem, I duly paid my extra monthly premium and set about my business.

ACCIDENT
During late summer, after swimming with my daughter, I reversed my car out of the car-park, straight into the back of another car parked where it shouldn't be. I wasn't happy, but as my father quite rightly pointed out, it could have been a child in the wrong place so I paid for the other guys damage and put mine through the insurance, no problems, I received a courtesy car, and paid a £100 excess upon collection, no forms, no hassle, great, pretty stupid mistake I wouldn't make again..........

WAIT FOR IT..........
ACCIDENT No 2
Two months later, I was driving up the motorway to visit a friend in rush hour traffic, the roads were wet and the sun bright (you can probably imagine the rest), when I drove into another car. Luckily nobody was hurt, the AA came and towed my car back the garage, and again, after completing a few forms, my car was dealt with, I paid my £100 excess, and off I went, very nervous, and afraid to drive the car. Well I did get my confidence back eventually as driving is an essential requirement within our family.
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br><br>QUOTE
Whoops - my insurance is due - I knew it was going to be high, but nothing prepared me for the shock this morning, it had increased by £2,000, I have lost every trace of NCD, nothing for customer loyalty, I can't afford to pay this sort of amount. Astounded, one of work colleagues suggested I try a few other company, just a guideline as to the results, Direct Line - 50% less, Bell Insurance (part of Admiral) 55% less, Eagle Star £1000 less, elephant.co.uk - 60% less.

I recontacted Norwich Union Direct and advised them I was cancelling my policy, they asked my Why? Don't know if any readers can guess??? I am also cancelling some of my other insurances with them, again they asked why?

Yes, I was stupid, careless, unlucky, whatever you may want to call it having two accidents in close sucession, and yes they dealt with them efficiently and effectively, but I would have been better off paying for them myself, before that I had been claim free for over 10 years and full NCD and believed protection was included in my policy.

MY REQUEST TO YOU
BEWARE: read the small print, and if you have a relatively minor bump, make sure it is worth claiming. if you have full No Claims Discount, please ensure they are protected.

Summary: