Is this a new thing?

[Wapping]

OK, I see what you mean.

The subject changed, as these things often do, between the opening post and post #9.

The two month period is odd. Many bods put their bike away for say, January and February, when the frost is on the pumpkin, digging it out again in mid-to-late March when the clocks change and the first buds of spring appear. I voluntarily put my bike(s) away for a year or more, not even opening the garage, having done about 22,000 miles the year before. Why? Because I had just about bankrupted myself on tyres alone for the big 1600. The nine months or so ‘off the road’ with a ruptured Achilles was separate and a separate cause. But hey, I wasn’t asked the question.

That said, most bods (myself included) don’t ‘break’ (by which I assume the machine means, cancel) their insurance for the two months or (as in my case a year and, separately nine months) they leave the policy running. I simply declared the bikes / cars SORN, to the DVLA. *

But, what we don’t know is what happens if the fellow enters an answer in the box.


* I do have an agreement with my current insurer, whereby I do tell them if I put a high-end sports car into extended storage, removing the road risk element entirely. But that’s entirely different, of course.

 

[er-minio]

To approach the FCA, you have to first exhaust the insurance provider’s own ‘Complaints’ procedures. This (sadly) does not embrace asking UKGSer or your mate’s mate down the pub

What are you proposing the OP complains about? That he’s been asked a question? That the question, relating to experience, is unreasonable? That he’s been ‘dissed’, to use the popular expression?

Admittedly I don't know the procedure. I also have a view that the FCA is essentially financial services "policing themselves" - but admit that might be a distortion of reality because of my distrust

The point here is that there is/should be a reasonable limit into meaningless details the motor insurances can use to push up the prices:

What the algorithm driven box seems to seeking to do is weeding out the ‘Born again’ riders, who passed their test in (by way of example only) on their Honda 125 or 250 in 1975 but gave up riding in 1980 when the kids came along and now (45 years or so later) fancy owning the YamHonKawa 1000cc bike, that their mother never let them have or they couldn’t previously afford, death of the mother and PCP having come along to solve those two problems.

Then – if that really is the case – they should ask/check for long gaps (years).
Not two months.
Also, see what Wessie replied just above.

This is the same bullshit logic that pushes up prices (ever so slightly) if you seek renewal outside what the window they consider you should use otherwise you are "careless" and so higher risk.

If we go down this route, at some point they will start asking what type of breakfast you have in the morning so they can charge more people who have heavy meals as they might be sleepier when riding later in the same morning.

While – at the same time – they play fast and loose with the details provided.
Over the years i received many contracts with data that was non exact, called the insurer to get it fixed and they couldn't be bothered.
Again: my license has been converted to a full UK one years ago. Insurers only consider that date for my "experience". Happily dismissing an extra 15 years before the conversion. Is it fair? Don't think so.

If you wanna be tedious over details, then it works both ways.

Now, for these reasons over the years I started moving towards less price-based motor insurance brokers and, of course, it seems that they have broader terms for the contract.
But I do believe people should raise questions (as OP is doing here) and complain when there is what could be perceived as "overreach".

 

[Wapping]

….. I also have a view that the FCA is essentially financial services "policing themselves"…

It’s not. But, we digress.

 

[chrisjk]

One is a question, the other is clarification, surely?

What the algorithm driven box seems to seeking to do is weeding out the ‘Born again’ riders, who passed their test in (by way of example only) on their Honda 125 or 250 in 1975 but gave up riding in 1980 when the kids came along and now (45 years or so later) fancy owning the YamHonKawa 1000cc bike, that their mother never let them have or they couldn’t previously afford, death of the mother and PCP having come along to solve those two problems.

I wasn’t asked the question when my motor insurance came up for renewal, during the extended period of being ‘off the road’ due to rupturing my Achilles. Had I of been, I’d have given the truthful answer and the truthful reason why. There again. I don’t buy my insurance on-line.

Please could you tell me how you buy insurance if not online? I thought it was the only way these days.

 

[Big Si]

Please could you tell me how you buy insurance if not online? I thought it was the only way these days.

Through an agent or broker?

 

[wessie]

Please could you tell me how you buy insurance if not online? I thought it was the only way these days.

NFU, Swinton & Howden have national coverage as brokers in bricks & mortar shops. NFU no longer does bikes but will sell you other domestic insurance.

There are many independent brokers with offices.

The likes of Devitt, Carole Nash, Direct Line, Hastings, Aviva, Axa etc all have phone lines.

 

[chrisjk]

NFU, Swinton & Howden have national coverage as brokers in bricks & mortar shops. NFU no longer does bikes but will sell you other domestic insurance.

There are many independent brokers with offices.

The likes of Devitt, Carole Nash, Direct Line, Hastings, Aviva, Axa etc all have phone lines.

Many thanks.

 

[Steptoe]

I must be extremely lucky..,
I’ve sailed through life without any of this angst with motor insurance on many and various types of vehicles….

Where’s the “smug” emoji when you need it

 

[glenn2926]

I must be extremely lucky..,
I’ve sailed through life without any of this angst with motor insurance on many and various types of vehicles….

Where’s the “smug” emoji when you need it

Similar here, I’ve currently five vehicles insured and it’s all been pretty painless to be honest.
Perhaps our surname is an honest name ?