Chris

This is the FOS link which refer to the case in your post.

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/25/25-disclosure-of-spent-motoring-convictions.htm

Huckster

Hi,

The advice that huckster gives is absolutely right.

Also, I'm not particularly sure on how this relates to motor insurance and motor convictions (so please do correct me), but there was a case (ex parte Pearson) against the DVLA which looked at endorsements on a licence and how this related to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Given you reference to five years, I am assuming you received some form of fine or community sentence, which would need to be disclosed for insurance purposes for 5 years. Post that period, the case looked at the fact that some endorsements remained on the licence for 11 years. The case ruled that the individual was not under a duty to disclose it, as it would violate the protections afforded by the 1974 Act.

Although that doesn't overcome the problems that you have faced with First Car Insurance (and hence hucksters advice on that regard is very valuable) it is an issue worth considering for future reference.

Hi

You should make a formal complaint to Lisa McPherson - Managing Director of Fresh Insurance group, detailing the service you have received and advise her that you wish to make a formal complaint to the Financial Ombundsman Service( FOS). You should also make her aware of your comments to this forum and advise that there are many such forums on the internet.

If you make this a formal complaint threatening the FOS, they may back down and maintain cover until renewal or offer to refund premiums. Fresh will want to avoid you going to the FOS as they will be charged £450 and it will cost you nothing apart from postage and your time.

Huckster

email address is lisa.mcpherson AT freshinsurance.co.uk

Fresh Insurance Group Ltd
Ladybird Suite
Burnt Meadow Road
Moons Moat Industrial Estate
REDDITCH
B98 9PA

I am writing this note after having a discussing with my former car insurance company "first car insurance" www.first.co.uk, part of the Fresh Insurance Service Group, unwritten by Equity and would like other people to be aware how disappointed I am with their customer service and company policy.

After going through moneysupermarket.com to find myself a cheap car insurance company, I found a broker first insurance - insurance for men (www.first.co.uk) this car insurance company was not the cheapest, however had the cover I required based on my criteria, which I am not proud of, however honest!

Male, DR10 (drink driving, 2003, apparently this will not take effect on the insurance due to being over 5 years ago I was advised by the advisor at first car insurance).

I paid the policy in full via the phone after stating my conviction to the advisor, a lengthly few weeks later I recieved a letter detailing they require my full license both parts, and a signed policy by return, which I completed.

Another week past before I received a letter from first car insurance stating they were cancelling my policy, no written explanation? I rang first car Insurance immediately and spoke to an advisor who informed me that due to a conviction on my license (over 6 years ago) they were canceling my policy, I replied, it was a bit informal not to respond with a letter detailing this, never the less ok please refund me my pro-rota amount and I will find alternative cover elsewhere, ok head of customer services replied I will issue the refund in a weeks time when we have set the policy to cancel, there will be a £40 cancellation charge also.

So to summarise first car insurance cancelled my policy after taking 5 weeks to establish that they were not going to be covering me, state they will not refund me for another week, plus will not issue the refund until the date of their stated cancellation, to top if off they will be charging me £40 for them canceling the policy!

This is another reason why small subsidiaries such as first car insurance, (part of Fresh Insurance group) should be avoid, their customer service is poor, their lead time is poor, the way in which enquiries are handled are poor, and the policy after reading the terms is very poor!!

Cheaper car insurance is not always the best policy, avoid this company like the plague!