What to do if you disclose something that makes the insurance company want to change your premium
. . . or impose extra conditions that you're not happy about.
What can happen
You may be asked to fill in a proposal (or application) form – or to sign a ‘statement of fact’ to say that the information you have given is correct. Make sure any statement of fact is correct, and change anything that’s wrong. Do this as soon as possible so the insurer has no excuse for delaying things or for declaring your insurance is invalid.
It’s possible that, when you fill in a form or alter a statement of fact, you will disclose some information you hadn’t previously mentioned. Although this is unlikely, the insurer may just think this disclosure is so significant that they want to alter the premium you’ve already agreed, or to impose some new condition or restriction.
And what you should do
- If this happens, resist strongly.
- Emphasise you disclosed all the information you believed was relevant to the insurance, and you agreed to accept the insurer’s quote in good faith.
- If you’re using a broker, get them to argue on your behalf.
- If all else fails, here's a compromise solution. Many insurers may agree to accept the premium you’ve already agreed at least for the first year – after which, if necessary, you can always shop around again.