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Massive insurance hike due to condition.

S

samdurrant5

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi all.

Recently, I have tried to get quotes for my next car. I fancied a bit of an upgrade, and my car is quite old now.

I tried to insure my new car, so i put all of my relevant information in, etc etc but forgot about my T1. Luckily i spotted this mistake and requoted.

I was (without my restriction) quoted £80 a month on an admiral policy with no black box.

With my restriction, this jumped to £230-250 on a no box policy. Even the box policies were more expensive.

For reference, this would be my second year of driving.
I have never been admitted to hospital or received any special help due to hypoglycaemia since I was diagnosed 13 years ago (I am now 19).
The only change is my disability.
Is this even legal?
Is it worth calling brokers and explaining, is this normal? It seems wildly unfair that I should not be able to enjoy reasonable premiums with a controlled condition purely because I count as disabled.

I currently hold a 3 year restricted DVLA license. I tried quotes for 5 year restrictions just out of curiosity and the case was still that my insurance would cost me nearly the triple amount.

It baffles me that, since I am entitled to no benefits, i can be charged so much more. It feels so discriminatory!

Any advice appreciated, thank you!
 
I’m sure it is discrimination @samdurrant5 As you say, I didn’t think they were allowed to increase premiums for diabetes. What did the quote form actually ask?

See here:

Insurance and diabetes

Most people living with diabetes have encountered difficulties arranging insurance, whether it is life assurance, income protection and family income benefit insurance or travel insurance. Please note: this section aims to provide you with general information to assist in obtaining insurance. It...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk

Frankly, I’d try another insurance company. I had no problems with mine.
 
Maybe worth you calling the DUK Helpline next week @samdurrant5 ?

It does sound discriminatory, and was a pretty huge increase which I find surprising.

The Helpline is open Mon-Fri 9-6 on 0345 123 2399, and the advisers may be able to clarify the legal position, and suggest some ways forward. Shopping around certainly does seem worthwhile, and to have the ‘black box’ policies even more expensive makes no sense at all!
 
samdurrant5 said:
I was (without my restriction) quoted £80 a month on an admiral policy with no black box.

With my restriction, this jumped to £230-250 on a no box policy. Even the box policies were more expensive.
Click to expand...
That’s not how insurance works. You must have changed something else too.
 
Lucyr said:
That’s not how insurance works. You must have changed something else too.
Click to expand...
No, I simply went onto the comparison site, and changed the “are there any conditions you need to notify the dvla of” and selected “yes” rather than “no” and then selected the 3 year license option. No other changes.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Maybe worth you calling the DUK Helpline next week @samdurrant5 ?

It does sound discriminatory, and was a pretty huge increase which I find surprising.

The Helpline is open Mon-Fri 9-6 on 0345 123 2399, and the advisers may be able to clarify the legal position, and suggest some ways forward. Shopping around certainly does seem worthwhile, and to have the ‘black box’ policies even more expensive makes no sense at all!
Click to expand...
Definitely sounds worth a shot, thank you!
 
Inka said:
I’m sure it is discrimination @samdurrant5 As you say, I didn’t think they were allowed to increase premiums for diabetes. What did the quote form actually ask?

See here:

Insurance and diabetes

Most people living with diabetes have encountered difficulties arranging insurance, whether it is life assurance, income protection and family income benefit insurance or travel insurance. Please note: this section aims to provide you with general information to assist in obtaining insurance. It...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk

Frankly, I’d try another insurance company. I had no problems with mine.
Click to expand...
Hi!

This was through a comparison site, wonder if its worth calling a broker directly with an explanation of the condition over the phone rather than just putting the fact that I have a disability the DVLA need to be aware of on an online form…
 
Martin.A said:
You might find this useful:-

www.diabetes.co.uk

Having diabetes can mean that your insurance premiums are higher, but shop around and you could help to offset the extras charged by the insurance companies.

Having diabetes can mean that your insurance premiums are higher, but shop around and you could help to offset the extras charged by the insurance companies.
www.diabetes.co.uk www.diabetes.co.uk
Click to expand...
Hi!

I have tried various comparison sites and unfortunately they point me to a similar result, i’m thinking it’s got to be worth calling a broker directly with an explanation of my condition and its state. It seems baffling that a relatively perfectly controlled condition is causing such a gigantic hike!

Thanks
Sam
 
samdurrant5 said:
, I simply went onto the comparison site, and changed the “are there any conditions you need to notify the dvla of” and selected “yes” rather than “no” and then selected the 3 year license option. No other chan
Click to expand...
You’re absolutely doing something wrong, either changing the start date, changing other details, or filling in the driving penalties box instead of the medical restrictions box. I’ve done some checks and absolutely no changes in price or order of quotes returned whatsoever.
 
If you want to find out what you’re doing wrong though, get the quote reference of the before and after your change for two quotes with the same company, call them up and ask them to investigate and explain the difference. They might need to take it away and come back to you but they will then explain what details you entered differently.
 
samdurrant5 said:
Hi!

This was through a comparison site, wonder if its worth calling a broker directly with an explanation of the condition over the phone rather than just putting the fact that I have a disability the DVLA need to be aware of on an online form…
Click to expand...

I used a comparison site and it didn’t hike my price @samdurrant5 I wouldn’t call a broker. I’d look through the comparison site results, find three companies you like the look of and call them direct for a quote.

I’m also wondering if you’re listing your licence incorrectly. I remember finding it quite confusing when I did it, which was why I recommend phoning them. You can then give them all the information and get a proper quote, knowing you’re both talking about the same thing.
 
It is important to know that there is usually an additional charge added to your premium for contacting them by phone rather than taking out the insurance online.
I did an online comparison earlier this year and got a good quote but couldn't figure out how to add recovery to the online quote and ended up ringing them to sort it and they added another £25 I believe for sorting it by phone as well as the recovery premium.

I too suspect you have done something amiss to make the premium jump that much just by adding a 3 year medical licence.
 
samdurrant5 said:
Hi!

I have tried various comparison sites and unfortunately they point me to a similar result, i’m thinking it’s got to be worth calling a broker directly with an explanation of my condition and its state. It seems baffling that a relatively perfectly controlled condition is causing such a gigantic hike!

Thanks
Sam
Click to expand...
The actual condition is irrelevant. If your state of health and management of the condition satisfies the DVLA that you should be issued a 3-year restricted licence, then that is all the insurance provider needs to know and that is what the quote is based upon, along with other factors - the prime ones being type of car, driving experience and claims history. It can help if you can put another family member on as a named driver.

Like others I would recommend phoning the insurer.
 
rebrascora said:
It is important to know that there is usually an additional charge added to your premium for contacting them by phone rather than taking out the insurance online.
I did an online comparison earlier this year and got a good quote but couldn't figure out how to add recovery to the online quote and ended up ringing them to sort it and they added another £25 I believe for sorting it by phone as well as the recovery premium.

I too suspect you have done something amiss to make the premium jump that much just by adding a 3 year medical licence.
Click to expand...
Seriously? Wow.

I wait for my renewal letter each year then do an online comparison and if appropriate ring my insurer and challenge them to match the results. They usually manage it! Never been any mention of fees for telephone contact. I suppose they’d argue that it helps keep the premiums down…
 
rebrascora said:
It is important to know that there is usually an additional charge added to your premium for contacting them by phone rather than taking out the insurance online.
I did an online comparison earlier this year and got a good quote but couldn't figure out how to add recovery to the online quote and ended up ringing them to sort it and they added another £25 I believe for sorting it by phone as well as the recovery premium.

I too suspect you have done something amiss to make the premium jump that much just by adding a 3 year medical licence.
Click to expand...

I should have been clearer - apologies. Phone them, get the quote, and if you like it, buy online if there’s a price difference. I find mentioning you’ll go with their biggest competitor usually reduces their quote anyway.
 
Lucyr said:
If you want to find out what you’re doing wrong though, get the quote reference of the before and after your change for two quotes with the same company, call them up and ask them to investigate and explain the difference. They might need to take it away and come back to you but they will then explain what details you entered differently.
Click to expand...
l certainly will try this. I’ve been through the quotes and reused the previous answers, and once done, double checked them. The details are identical however my quotes are different, but I’ll definitely ring up and ask why they’re so different and to explain me a difference. Thanks
 
JJay said:
The actual condition is irrelevant. If your state of health and management of the condition satisfies the DVLA that you should be issued a 3-year restricted licence, then that is all the insurance provider needs to know and that is what the quote is based upon, along with other factors - the prime ones being type of car, driving experience and claims history. It can help if you can put another family member on as a named driver.

Like others I would recommend phoning the insurer.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it shouldn’t make any odds as its never effected my ability to drive. Will definitely make some calls and ask what on earth is going on.
 
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