I've been very happy with Churchill insurance for some years now, and have
clocked up 9 years no claims or accidents, so I should be a very good
prospect for any insurance co, but but unfortunately it came to a sticky
end.

I'm a contractor and require business insurance. I asked them for a good
quote and mentioned that I was between contracts; that completely screwed
the renewal. As she had told the computer that I was 'unemployed', I could 
only get social and domestic insurance. This was naturally cheaper, but 
not what I wanted. I then asked for a quote including business usage, but
she said that the information was already in the computer and couldn't be 
changed, so I couldn't get business usage. I could change it when I 
started the contract, but they would then charge an admin fee of 15. I
told them that such a charge was unfair, as the problem was in their
system (or thinking). I still drive around and talk with businesses for
possible job contracts. So I finished this conversation without a deal.

A couple of days later I called them up again and said that I wanted to
renew the insurance exactly as the renewal letter. But again they said
that this was not possible because their computer already had me as
'unemployed' - and that databases are shared throughout the insurance
industry. I'm really miffed and don't know what to do now. I don't want
to risk being uninsured, perhaps I could take a short time cover note?

On Fri, 07 Oct 2005 12:59:26 GMT, Johannes
 wrote:


>I've been very happy with Churchill insurance for some years now, and have
>clocked up 9 years no claims or accidents, so I should be a very good
>prospect for any insurance co, but but unfortunately it came to a sticky
>end.
>
>I'm a contractor and require business insurance. I asked them for a good
>quote and mentioned that I was between contracts; that completely screwed
>the renewal. As she had told the computer that I was 'unemployed', I could 
>only get social and domestic insurance. This was naturally cheaper, but 
>not what I wanted. I then asked for a quote including business usage, but
>she said that the information was already in the computer and couldn't be 
>changed, so I couldn't get business usage. I could change it when I 
>started the contract, but they would then charge an admin fee of 15. I
>told them that such a charge was unfair, as the problem was in their
>system (or thinking). I still drive around and talk with businesses for
>possible job contracts. So I finished this conversation without a deal.
>
>A couple of days later I called them up again and said that I wanted to
>renew the insurance exactly as the renewal letter. But again they said
>that this was not possible because their computer already had me as
>'unemployed' - and that databases are shared throughout the insurance
>industry. I'm really miffed and don't know what to do now. I don't want
>to risk being uninsured, perhaps I could take a short time cover note?


Tell them where to stick it and get a quote from another company. It's
usually perfectly straightforward to change your employment status on
their computer. They were talking bolleaux.
-- 

Paul Rooney

"Johannes"  wrote in message 
news:4346720F.A43F7A67@slap-spam-sizefitter.com...


> I'm a contractor and require business insurance. I asked them for a good
> quote and mentioned that I was between contracts; that completely screwed
> the renewal. As she had told the computer that I was 'unemployed', I could
> only get social and domestic insurance. This was naturally cheaper, but
> not what I wanted. I then asked for a quote including business usage, but
> she said that the information was already in the computer and couldn't be
> changed, so I couldn't get business usage. I could change it when I
> started the contract, but they would then charge an admin fee of 15. I
> told them that such a charge was unfair, as the problem was in their
> system (or thinking). I still drive around and talk with businesses for
> possible job contracts. So I finished this conversation without a deal.


So get them to change the status - you're not unemployed, you're 
self-employed. Or if you contract via a ltd company, you're employed by 
them. Recording you as unemployed is the original cockup - fix that, and 
you'll be able to fix the rest.

cheers,
clive

Why on earth are you divulging the nitty gritty day to day running of your 
business with the insurance company? Surely you are employed by your own 
contracting company, whether it has contract(s) or not. If not, then I would 
guess you are touting for new business for your company and your employment 
status hasn't changed at all.

Anyway, most insurance renewals give you 14 days to correct any mistakes and 
there shouldn't be any charge for this. I'd get onto it sharpish if I were 
you.


"Johannes"  wrote in message 
news:4346720F.A43F7A67@slap-spam-sizefitter.com...

> I've been very happy with Churchill insurance for some years now, and have
> clocked up 9 years no claims or accidents, so I should be a very good
> prospect for any insurance co, but but unfortunately it came to a sticky
> end.
>
> I'm a contractor and require business insurance. I asked them for a good
> quote and mentioned that I was between contracts; that completely screwed
> the renewal. As she had told the computer that I was 'unemployed', I could
> only get social and domestic insurance. This was naturally cheaper, but
> not what I wanted. I then asked for a quote including business usage, but
> she said that the information was already in the computer and couldn't be
> changed, so I couldn't get business usage. I could change it when I
> started the contract, but they would then charge an admin fee of 15. I
> told them that such a charge was unfair, as the problem was in their
> system (or thinking). I still drive around and talk with businesses for
> possible job contracts. So I finished this conversation without a deal.
>
> A couple of days later I called them up again and said that I wanted to
> renew the insurance exactly as the renewal letter. But again they said
> that this was not possible because their computer already had me as
> 'unemployed' - and that databases are shared throughout the insurance
> industry. I'm really miffed and don't know what to do now. I don't want
> to risk being uninsured, perhaps I could take a short time cover note? 

Johannes wrote:


> A couple of days later I called them up again and said that I wanted to
> renew the insurance exactly as the renewal letter. But again they said
> that this was not possible because their computer already had me as
> 'unemployed' - and that databases are shared throughout the insurance
> industry. I'm really miffed and don't know what to do now. I don't want
> to risk being uninsured, perhaps I could take a short time cover note?


They're in breach of the Data Protection Act. Personal data must be 
"accurate and up to date". Tell them that if they refuse to make the 
correction free of charge, you will make a formal complaint.

Johannes wrote:

> 
> I've been very happy with Churchill insurance for some years now, and have
> clocked up 9 years no claims or accidents, so I should be a very good
> prospect for any insurance co, but but unfortunately it came to a sticky
> end.
> 
> I'm a contractor and require business insurance. I asked them for a good
> quote and mentioned that I was between contracts; that completely screwed
> the renewal. As she had told the computer that I was 'unemployed', I could
> only get social and domestic insurance. This was naturally cheaper, but
> not what I wanted. I then asked for a quote including business usage, but
> she said that the information was already in the computer and couldn't be
> changed, so I couldn't get business usage. I could change it when I
> started the contract, but they would then charge an admin fee of 15. I
> told them that such a charge was unfair, as the problem was in their
> system (or thinking). I still drive around and talk with businesses for
> possible job contracts. So I finished this conversation without a deal.
> 
> A couple of days later I called them up again and said that I wanted to
> renew the insurance exactly as the renewal letter. But again they said
> that this was not possible because their computer already had me as
> 'unemployed' - and that databases are shared throughout the insurance
> industry. I'm really miffed and don't know what to do now. I don't want
> to risk being uninsured, perhaps I could take a short time cover note?


Got a better deal with Directline. However, their classification was
basically the same. 'Unemployment' is weighted by 17 extra compared
to 'Professional' and you don't get business cover. Sad, but there it
is! However, as Directline was cheaper, it was less of a problem.

 


problem to

"> Same here. I've done it before on another occasion and even told them
that

> I was out of work, thereby successfully got the premium lowered without
> changing the policy. It makes sense since the risk is less. However, it
may
> be that the insurers are generally tightening up their rules. E.g. I've
just
> read in Auto Express that the insurers intend to do away with DOC (driving
> other cars).


I just wish they (the courts) would do something practical with those
drivers that drive without insurance.  I would not pay the 20%+ extra in
premiums to cover the costs of morons.
Up here in Scotland, notes in the paper indicate fines of between 100 and
250 for driving without insurance or a valid MOT / Tax.  My insurance
premium alone beats their fine !!

Gio