20/01/12 Car Insurance Scam - Trading Standards warning

Kent County Council Trading Standards are warning drivers to check that their car insurance is correct and valid.  Complaints have been received about an online motor insurance trader “Aston Midshires Insurance” which is based in Leicestershire. 

The trader has been targeting young and high-risk drivers across the country, and selling car insurance policies online.  However, it has been found that this trader has been running a scam and the insurance policies it has sold do not exist and offer no protection.

Consumers who have purchased these policies are in fact uninsured and are advised not to drive until they have arranged appropriate legal insurance cover.  Please note that driving without appropriate insurance is a criminal offence and may lead to you being stopped by the Police.

If you are not sure if your car is properly insured, you can check for free online at www.askmid.com

When shopping for car insurance you should check that the insurer is authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).  It is recommended that you obtain a few quotes to help you decide which offer to accept.  You can either contact insurers directly yourself or you can use an insurance broker to shop around on your behalf.  

If you decide to purchase your insurance policy online you should make some checks to ensure that the website is for a legitimate trader.  Look on the website to check it displays the full address and contact details of the trader, and check that their phone number works if you have any concerns or you have not heard of the trader before
Once you have taken out an insurance policy you should receive three documents:

• The Certificate: which contains the details of the vehicle and drivers insured
• The Policy: which sets out the full terms and conditions
• The Schedule: which sets out the specific details of your policy, such as any excesses and no-claims discounts

It is important to check these documents to ensure that all the details are correct.

When purchasing expensive goods or services, such as car insurance, it is recommended that you always consider paying with your credit card as your card provider may be able to provide extra support and cover should any problems arise with your purchase.

Further advice about how to purchase car insurance can be found online at www.direct.gov.uk

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