Application Requirements
What do I need before I can apply for a car insurance quote?
Please ensure you have the following details to hand:
- Vehicle details (Registration number required on purchase only)
- Your Full Postcode and address
- Your Licence details
- Number of years of No-Claims Discount (NCD)
- Claims and convictions details for the last 5 years for all drivers to be included on the policy
- Details of other drivers including Licence details
- Type of cover - comprehensive, third party fire and theft, or third party only
Vehicle & Options
Why can I not find my car's make & model by its registration number?
If you find your vehicle's registration number does not return your vehicle's details, you can enter the vehicle's year of manufacture, make and model to assist your search.
Can I get a quote if I do not have the registration number available?
Yes, you can obtain a quote without the car registration number, however, we will need this information if you decide to purchase a policy.
What is ‘excess?’
This is the amount you will need to pay in the event of a claim. For example, if you have a £100 excess then you will pay the first £100 of the claim you make (excluding windscreen claims – comprehensive cover only).
What is Legal Cover or ‘Motor Legal Protection’ (MLP)?
Even in the case where an accident is not your fault, no car insurance policy will cover all your losses. Legal Cover (also known as Motor Legal Protection) can cover certain costs; which you may incur by seeking to recover your uninsured losses from the person who caused the accident.
If the accident is not your fault, your Legal Cover can instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf and attempt to claim compensation for your injuries, for example where a whiplash injury is caused by a rear end shunt. Even if you are the driver at fault, your passengers are covered under the Legal Cover policy if they are injured.
What are uninsured losses?
These losses can include your policy excess, loss of earnings, vehicle hire charges, personal injury damages (such as compensation for whiplash). Other losses include your vehicle repair costs (if third party cover), medical fees, compensation for the loss of use of your vehicle, damage to personal belongings, vehicle recovery, storage charges and out of pocket expenses. Our Legal Cover policies cover up to £100,000 legal costs and expenses.
Note that this cover is not included on a standard car insurance policy, it is only applicable if you have added Legal Cover.
What is Guaranteed Replacement Car service?
Our Guaranteed Replacement Car service keeps you mobile by providing a replacement vehicle should yours not be driveable following a claim. Unlike a garage's courtesy car, which is subject to availability, our guaranteed replacement car service will provide you with a car quickly and efficiently via a leading national network. This gives you peace of mind that you will not be left without a car.
The car will be a hatchback or similar with an engine size of at least 1000cc.
In the event of a non fault claim we will make every effort to provide a vehicle of similar physical size to your own.
Our guaranteedr replacement car service can be used in a range of claim situations, including:
- Accidents repairs
- Write off
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Fire or flood
You can choose from two duration levels – either 14 days or a market leading 28 days to ensure you are not left without a car after a claim.
Do I need ‘business use’ to drive to work?
No, you can use ‘social, domestic pleasure and commuting (SDPC)’ when travelling to your normal place of work.
You will need business use when travelling to other sites or any other business related travel.
What cover will ‘Breakdown Assistance’ provide me with?
The RAC provides the Breakdown Assistance and is for help with mechanical or electrical breakdown of the car. Assistance is also available to customers who have been involved in accidents.
Recovery from major roads can be very costly. Just one call-out fee will far exceed the price for Breakdown Cover. No matter which insured driver drives the car the RAC will provide assistance.
Roadside Assistance: We’ll send an approved mobile mechanic to wherever your vehicle is stranded.
Roadside Repairs: Whenever possible, a mechanic will fix the fault or problem on the spot. There is no charge for labour, only for parts used.
Cover for any driver: Motor assistance policy covers anyone who is driving the vehicle (not just the policy holder) and it extends to any caravan or trailer you may be towing at the time, unlike many other breakdown covers.
Towing service: If your vehicle is immobilised within 10 miles of your home, it will be towed by our approved repairer, including trailers and caravans.
Home Start: RAC mechanic will do their best to get your vehicle going, even if it is parked at or near your home, unlike many other breakdown covers.
Onward Travel: Overnight accommodation up to £150 per person or £500 for a group, or onward travel for you and up to 8 passengers, whichever is cheapest.
Replacement vehicle: A replacement vehicle will be provided for a maximum period of 24hrs (conditions apply).
24/7 service: Friendly operators who are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, alerting mobile units within minutes of your call.
Female Priority Scheme
Can I get instant cover?
Yes.
What are the different types of cover I can get?
The following options are available depending on your needs:
Third Party Only (TPO) - This will cover damage to third party vehicles only.
Third Party Fire & Theft (TPF&T) - This will cover damage to third party vehicles and also cover your vehicle in the event of fire or theft.
Comprehensive - This will cover your vehicle as well as third party vehicles in the event of an accident, regardless of fault.
Can I temporarily add a driver to my insurance policy?
Yes – subject to the insurers acceptance criteria.
Can I use my vehicle abroad?
Yes - All private car policies issued in the UK include third party cover for driving within any EU country.
Comprehensive/Third Party, Fire and Theft cover extension applies for a limited period.
Please refer to your policy documents for more information.
If I take out comprehensive insurance, can other people drive my car when they are not named on my policy?
No, cover is provided for the car shown in your current certificate of motor insurance only, and the named drivers on the policy.
No Claims Discount (NCD) Questions
What is No Claims Discount (NCD)?
This is the number of years you have been insured and not made a claim.
You will need proof of NCD on purchasing a policy.
What is ‘Protected No claims Discount’ (NCD)?
If eligible, you can protect your NCD which will allow you to make some claims without losing your NCD entitlement.
Can I switch No Claims Discount (NCD) between my wife or husband?
Yes, but this cannot be transferred back.
Can a No Claims Discount (NCD) be applied to more than one car?
No, an NCD can only be used on one policy at any one time.
Do you accept No Claims Discount (NCD) from a Bonus Accelerator policy?
Yes.
I have been driving a company car for the last few years. Will you give me a no claim discount?
If you are a company car user who is moving to your own insurance then we will require a letter from your employer confirming:
- That you were the sole user of the company car.
- The dates you were covered under the company car scheme.
- Details of any claims which occurred during this period and whether these were settled on a fault or non fault basis.
- That you no longer have a company car and that no more than 3 months have elapsed since you left the company car scheme.
- We cannot accept a no claims discount from a company van.
What forms of No Claims Discount (NCD) proof are acceptable?
An original (not a photocopy) renewal notice, policy schedule or letter from the previous car insurance company.
Is a foreign No Claims Discount (NCD) proof acceptable?
We currently accept NCD from all countries, however the criteria is as follows:
- The date of expiry of the previous car insurance must be shown.
- The name of the policyholder must be shown.
- The amount of NCD in years must be stated. This can be shown using ‘from’ and ‘to’ dates.
- Proof of foreign No Claims Discount must have been issued and dated within the previous 2 years.
- The claims and accidents history must be confirmed.
- The letter must come from a car insurance company.
- Foreign NCD is only acceptable, when the letter is written in English.
- Customers awaiting proof from abroad must supply the proof within 28 days, as do all other customers.
If a customer is having difficulty obtaining the proof they should contact us.
I have NCD with one vehicle and then different NCD with another that runs consecutively together - can these be linked?
In certain circumstances we are able to tie documents together.
Payment Options & Security Queries
How secure are my personal details and credit/debit cards on your site?
This site uses the latest technology to ensure that your payment details are secure.
How can I pay for my policy?
You can choose to pay your premium in a single payment by debit or credit card, or you can spread the cost of your motor vehicle policy over the year, for an additional charge.
We accept the following credit and debit cards:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Delta
- Maestro
- Solo
- Electron
If you choose to spread your payments with the instalment option, you can choose an early settlement and pay the outstanding balance in full at a later date.
Can I pay my premium using someone else’s credit card?
Payment from someone else's card is only available if paying annually or if the card holder is a named driver on the policy.
Can the policyholder and the registered owner be different?
Only if the registered owner is the policyholder's spouse/partner.
Personal Details & Additional Driver Options
Can I get insurance if I only have a provisional licence?
Yes.
How many additional named drivers can I have on my policy?
Up to 5 additional drivers can be added to your policy.
Claims and Convictions
Should I declare claims or convictions that were obtained more than 5 years ago?
No.
My previous claim had split responsibility – what should I choose under the ‘At Fault’ question?
If this is the result of a previous claim you have made, you will need to state that the claim was a 'Driver at Fault' claim.
I don’t know the exact cost of the claim – what should I put in the ‘Cost’ section?
If the cost is known, this should be entered in whole pounds when completing your details for a quote.
If you are not sure of the cost of a previous claim you can still complete a quote.
Just select ‘Unknown’ for the ‘Damage’ question. Alternatively, if the vehicle was a write-off and the cost is unknown, the cost field can be left blank.
What if I have an automatic ban?
If you have previously had an automatic ban, we will need to know how many points you were issued with and also the length of the ban before being able to quote.
Pre Contract Credit Information
What is the pre-contract credit information form and why do I need it?
Providing you with a pre-contract credit information form is a legal requirement under the Consumer Credit Act. It is also known as a SECCI (Standard European Consumer Credit Information) and helps to give you a better understanding of the credit agreement you are taking out prior to purchasing the policy.
What does SECCI stand for?
Standard European Consumer Credit Information. It is also known as pre-contract credit information and it is a legal requirement of the Consumer Credit Act to provide you with a copy prior to you purchasing a policy which is payable by instalments. The information in it helps to give you a better understanding of the credit agreement you are taking out.
What information is included in the pre-contract credit information form?
- The type of credit
- The total amount of credit
- How and when credit is provided
- The duration of the credit agreement
- Repayments
- The total amount you will have to pay
- The borrowing rate(s) which apply to the credit agreement
- Annual percentage rate (APR)
- Right of withdrawal
- Early repayment
What is the difference between the pre-contract credit information form (SECCI) and the Consumer Credit Agreement (CCA)?
The SECCI is a document that is provided to you before you take out credit to purchase the policy and the CCA is the contractual agreement between you and the credit provider (BFSL Limited) once you have taken out credit to purchase the policy. It is important that you read and understand the content of both documents.
Can I pay my premium early?
Yes – please call Customer Services on the number provided in your policy documentation to discuss doing this.
Can I pay off my premiums in part?
Yes – please call Customer Services on the number provided in your policy documentation to discuss doing this.
What if I default on a payment or cannot pay?
Please call Customer Services on the number provided in your policy documentation if you need to discuss the payments on your policy.
Would defaulting affect my credit rating?
This is dependent on individual circumstances, but defaulting may affect your ability to get credit in the future.
Who are BFSL?
BFSL Limited is part of the BGL group and provides you with the credit arrangement to enable you to pay for your policy by instalments.
Does this mean I will get marketing information?
If you have opted out of receiving marketing information as part of your purchase, then you will not receive any marketing information as a result of taking out this insurance policy or an associated consumer credit agreement.
Can I opt out of marketing information?
Yes - please call Customer Services on the number provided in your policy documentation to discuss this.
Who regulates consumer credit?
Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
What is a CCA?
A CCA stands for Consumer Credit Agreement. It is a legal contract to supply credit to a consumer and is regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
How does the Consumer Credit Act affect me?
The Act is a set of rules and regulations compiled by the Office of Fair Trading and agreed by the Government to safeguard the Consumer and the Creditor. All credit agreements made under the 1974 Act must comply with these rules, be laid out in a certain format, and contain prescribed (compulsory) terms in order that the agreement is binding and acceptable.
How do I check if my agreement complies with the rules?
Refer to the Office of Fair Trading website.
What information is contained in a CCA?
The CCA contains all the information relating to the credit on your policy. This includes key financial information such as:
- Amount of credit
- Term of agreement
- Instalment amounts & frequency
- APR rate
- Charges applied (e.g. missing premiums)
- Early settlement
Who can I make a complaint to about the CCA?
If you wish to complain by telephone, please call the Customer Services number which is in your policy documentation. If you wish to complain in writing, then the letter should be addressed to The Customer Relations Manager, Fusion House, Bretton Way, Peterborough,PE3 8BG.
What happens if I don’t comply with the CCA?
Full details can be found in the CCA document.
If I cancel my CCA, does this cancel my insurance policy?
No, your cover is likely to be at risk and you may be left uninsured if you do not pay your premium or otherwise cancel your credit agreement without paying the balance in full.
What is an APR?
APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a standardised measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate. Interest rates can be expressed in a number of ways. It helps to compare the cost of credit from different providers.
The APR must be disclosed to you prior to the completion of the credit agreement.
What is the Interest Rate?
The percentage charged on the loan for borrowing the money, it is calculated annually and applied monthly.
Claims Checking (CUE) Questions
Claims and Underwriting Exchange - what is it?
The Claims and Underwriting Exchange – also known as CUE – is a central database of claims reported to insurance companies. Most insurers will check it when you buy a policy from them or when you make a claim.
If you need any more information regarding CUE please visit their website at www.cueuk.org
Why is my claims history checked?
Your claims history is checked and validated when you take out an insurance policy with us for a number of reasons:
- to make sure that the information you have given us is right and you are properly insured.
- it is one of the factors used when working out your insurance premium and so giving us the right information will help us get the best possible price for you.
- to stop people from giving us incorrect details either accidentally or intentionally.
How did my details get onto CUE?
When you have an incident which may or may not result in a claim, your insurer can add this information to CUE. If you don’t agree with the details on CUE you will need to contact the insurer concerned and ask them to correct it.
What happens if there is a discrepancy with my claims history?
If you forgot to add a claim, or got the details wrong, this will be highlighted by CUE when we check the database. You will be advised of any difference in writing within a few days of buying your insurance policy. The cost of your policy may increase and in some cases your policy could be cancelled.
The information from CUE is wrong - what do I do now?
If there is a difference and you disagree with the information held on CUE you must contact the insurer concerned immediately to get written confirmation from them of the right details and that they have updated this on CUE.
This must then be sent to us as soon as possible:
- By post: Insurance Services, Unit 25, Tresham Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6BU
- By fax: 01733 233600
When we receive this we will update our records and tell you about any changes to your premium. If you aren’t able to get this confirmation to us by the date specified in your letter the cost of your policy may increase and in some cases your policy could be cancelled.
What happens if I entered the wrong claim details when I bought my policy?
If you now realise that the information you provided was wrong, or the same claim is showing with different dates please call us and we can update the details on your policy. Please note that we can’t update CUE with details from previous insurers – they will have to do this.
Can you contact my previous insurer to resolve this?
This information is covered by the Data Protection Act. Unfortunately we are unable to contact the insurer on your behalf. In order to keep your personal details confidential there may be restrictions on the information the insurer can release. You will have to contact your previous insurer direct to discuss any differences on the CUE database.
How can I reduce my premium?
If the cost of your policy has gone up because of a difference on CUE there are a number of ways you may be able to reduce your premium:
- increase your voluntary excess
- remove named driver(s) from your policy if the claim is in their name
- remove NCD protection if included in your policy
You will need to call us if you would like to make any changes to your policy and an amendment fee may be charged as outlined in your policy documents.
If I use another insurance company will they check CUE?
More and more insurers are checking claims on CUE when you buy a policy. It is therefore likely that they will also check your claims history when you buy a policy or if you make a claim.
I genuinely forgot about a claim – does this mean that I have a black mark against me?
No, you don’t have a black mark against you but your premium could change as a result. Your claims history is one of the factors used when working out the cost of your policy. Making sure the claims on CUE are right means that you are properly insured and that your details are right in the future.