Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 16
Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
Hello. Am in the process of buying a car and need insurance. Can anyone tell me if a letter from your previous insurer in the UK has any bearing on the premium quoted? I was told from the agent at AMA (Calgary) that there was a law passed in 2004 that doesn't recognise any previous insurance other than in North America. If anyone can share their knowledge it would be much appreciated, also any companies they can recommend. Thank you.
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Formally Scotland. Now Bay of Quinte...Ontario
Posts: 2,466
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
I had a similar letter from my long term UK insurers when I moved here a few years ago. I was 58 then with a full no claims. In short, it did not matter a jot to any of the insurers I approached. They were only interested in Canadian driving experience....all else seemed irrelevant. Their may be an insurer out there who will take your UK record into account but I was unable to find one.
Bite the bullet I think...cars/fuel may be cheaper than the UK but insurance costs (in general terms) soon wipe out the savings unless you do lots of miles per annum.
Best of luck
Bite the bullet I think...cars/fuel may be cheaper than the UK but insurance costs (in general terms) soon wipe out the savings unless you do lots of miles per annum.
Best of luck
#3
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
My local insurance broker was able to leverage three years driving recognition from my UK insurance driving record. Better than a poke in the eye.
Might be worth phoning around, some brokers are more sensitive to the idea that flexibility on there behalf might lead to long term business with a new client.
Might be worth phoning around, some brokers are more sensitive to the idea that flexibility on there behalf might lead to long term business with a new client.
#4
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
We made sure we had letters from our UK insurers before we left the UK (we asked for them when we cancelled the policies), and they made a huge difference to our insurance here. We found a great broker who accepted the letters and equated it to several years no claims here. (Worth ringing around though, as some of the brokers would not accept them).
#5
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
Originally Posted by GillCol
Hello. Am in the process of buying a car and need insurance. Can anyone tell me if a letter from your previous insurer in the UK has any bearing on the premium quoted? I was told from the agent at AMA (Calgary) that there was a law passed in 2004 that doesn't recognise any previous insurance other than in North America. If anyone can share their knowledge it would be much appreciated, also any companies they can recommend. Thank you.
#6
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
Originally Posted by GillCol
Hello. Am in the process of buying a car and need insurance. Can anyone tell me if a letter from your previous insurer in the UK has any bearing on the premium quoted? I was told from the agent at AMA (Calgary) that there was a law passed in 2004 that doesn't recognise any previous insurance other than in North America. If anyone can share their knowledge it would be much appreciated, also any companies they can recommend. Thank you.
#7
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
We had letters going back about 8 years - our insurer only wanted to see the previous 3 years and gave us the insurance at a good price!
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 360
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
Originally Posted by GillCol
Hello. Am in the process of buying a car and need insurance. Can anyone tell me if a letter from your previous insurer in the UK has any bearing on the premium quoted? I was told from the agent at AMA (Calgary) that there was a law passed in 2004 that doesn't recognise any previous insurance other than in North America. If anyone can share their knowledge it would be much appreciated, also any companies they can recommend. Thank you.
I landed in 2005, I am in BC.
My insurance company recognised my no claims bonus , I do recall though, they were really particular about the format, you had to provide it the way they asked, Direct Line were great about it back home, so no problems.
It gave me a great saving, so definetly worth doing.
#9
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
Originally Posted by iaink
My local insurance broker was able to leverage three years driving recognition from my UK insurance driving record. Better than a poke in the eye.
Might be worth phoning around, some brokers are more sensitive to the idea that flexibility on there behalf might lead to long term business with a new client.
Might be worth phoning around, some brokers are more sensitive to the idea that flexibility on there behalf might lead to long term business with a new client.
#10
Here at last!!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: In the boonies, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 116
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
Our insurance company gave us full no claims based on a letter from our insurance company. I don't know whether they are nationwide but they are Co-operators. They also do a good deal on a house insurance (if you have everything from the same place, you get discounts for each insurance).
#11
Re: Insurance - UK No Claims Recognised?
ICBC accepted letters of proof of NCB from our UK insurers and we were granted full no claims discount in BC. The format and wording of the letters is VERY important - it took us numerous conversations with UK insurers to stop them from just churning out standard responses, which ICBC wouldn't accept.
Most importantly specific dates indicating the commencement and the end date of the insurance must be gained in writing. It's no good just having a letter that states 'Mr X was entitled to 4yrs NCB whilst insured with Company Y'
Most importantly specific dates indicating the commencement and the end date of the insurance must be gained in writing. It's no good just having a letter that states 'Mr X was entitled to 4yrs NCB whilst insured with Company Y'