I want my no-claims reimbursed

My Esure car insurance premium jumped from �460-�2,200 after minor scrape

While exiting a petrol station last September I turned the wrong way and found the route too narrow. I backed up and took the correct road. Later that month I had a letter from Albany Assistance telling me I had been involved in an incident. I wrote to Albany and my insurer ? ABC Insurance, a subsidiary of LV. I was happy to pay if I had unwittingly touched a stationary vehicle as I knew any damage could only be minimal, but I was unable to make any progress.

I renewed my insurance in November and found that LV had noted my "incident". My premium had gone from �460 to �2,200. I reinsured with Esure for �1,100 but Esure wanted to see my nine-year no claims discount.

LV told me the repairs cost �226 but that I can't pay the claimant direct. LV will pay and I can reimburse the cost to have my no claims discount reinstated. I am heavily penalised for an alleged incident that has never been proved and could only have been the slightest scuff mark. FG, Nottingham

Before Christmas you decided to pay the repair bill from your winter fuel allowance so there was no more help I could give. You wrote again because LV still hadn't sent the required confirmation of your no claims discount and you were worried that Esure could say you were uninsured if you had an accident.

LV has assumed that, as you paid for the repairs, you accepted liability for the incident. It can't understand that you paid just to maintain your no claims discount and because you weren't getting anywhere in your negotiations with them. But at least it has sent now the important confirmation and your discount is intact.

You can email Margaret Dibben at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Margaret Dibben, Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU and include a telephone number. Do not enclose SAEs or original documents. The newspaper accepts no legal responsibility for advice.

Margaret Dibben

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/apr/10/no-claims-discount-reimbursed

European football US economic growth and recession United Kingdom West Bromwich Albion Highlands Stoke City