Informing insurance company...

[EmmyBuzz]

So I just called my car insurance company (direct line) and they said I didn't need to inform them that I am a type 1 diabetic? I'd have expected it to be important that it's on my policy incase I have an accident due to having a hypo? (Obviously hopefully I won't!) The lady noted it on my policy so at least they can't turn round and say I didn't tell them but I suppose I am pleasantly surprised! (Tbh I expected to be walking everywhere for the rest of my life when I was first diagnosed!)

 

[Robin]

The advice you read always seems to be to tell them, but mine said they didn't need to know either. It certainly doesn't appear on my documents anywhere. I think they have to be careful about disability discrimination legislation. (Not that I think of my diabetes as a disibility, more a condition, but that's what we are lumped under).

 

[Austin Mini]

When I got a quote in January from Churchill I was asked what sort of license I had either full or provisional were the only two tick boxes to choose from.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

It's always best to tell them you have diabetes, because if you don't it's an excuse for them not to pay out.
Always also follow up the phone call with a letter confirming your conversation with them.

 

[EmmyBuzz]

I suppose its for the doctors/nurses and DVLA to decide if you are fit to drive not the insurance companies and if you are fit to drive you have to be well enough to be behind the wheel just like everyone else and insurance companies do risk being seen to discriminate if they charge you more or put conditions on you! Though I feel better for informing them at least even if its only being noted on my policy, it just surprised me!

I would guess that all licenses are still full licenses as you have still passed the same test as everyone else in the first place!

 

[Matt Cycle]

There seems to have been a change in the insurance industry over the years regarding driving and diabetes. When I got my first car it was before the internet and online insurance (no, it wasn't a Model T Ford!) I phoned a local broker, went through all the details and they gave me a price. They then asked about medical conditions and as soon as I said insulin dependent diabetes there was a long pause. "Oh, I'll just re-check the quote" - it went up about £20. I had no option but to pay - this was in 1989.

Over the years as everything is now done online I haven't seen any mention of medical conditions on the online sites for years. As you say it's probably due to some discrimination legislation.

 

[trophywench]

Yup - not 'probably due to legislation' - it is SOLELY due to legislation ! But not all companies EVER applied a surcharge for us in the first place. Most of the large composites (eg Sun Alliance, Royal, Commercial Union, Norwich Union, Guardian, Eagle Star ....) did not and about half of Lloyds didn't either. Highway and Equity Red Star definitely didn't. Don't think the Co-op did either. Think you must have been exceedingly unlucky, Matt - to have picked someone that did !!

I worked in insurance all my life and one year my premium shot up (just generally not a surcharge) so I shopped round. The Economic were the cheapest, but including a surcharge. However I did not move it to them. They sent an inspector out to cross examine me. Why?

For the simple reason that at the time another question was also asked on proposal forms (for all classes of business) 'Has any insurer ever applied a surcharge blah blah' - and if you answered 'Yes' then the insurer you were proposing to, would think automatically that there was something iffy about you 'personally' and some companies would refuse to quote at all. Hence - since I did NOT wish to get into THAT scenario* thanks very much - I did not place the cover with them.

* This sort of thing in those days, had future job prospect implications. 'CLUE' (the common claims database) didn't exist till recently - but if you honestly think insurers didn't share info with each other before that - you're fooling yourself.