Frequently Asked Questions
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If you need to provide proof of No Claims Discount to another Insurer, written proof can be provided on request. Please call us on 0844 836 0001 or by e-mail admin@directchoice.co.uk
If you choose to protect your NCD when you take out or renew your policy, typically your NCD will not be affected if:
- You make one claim in any one year
- You make two claims in a three-year consecutive period
Please note that these are common terms; however the terms for your policy may differ. Please check your policy documents for full details.
You can protect your NCD when you take out your policy, but once you have bought your insurance you cannot add NCD protection until your policy is renewed the following year.
Your NCD is valid for one vehicle only.
You can only use your No Claims Discount for one vehicle at any one time
You can send proof of your NCD by post, fax or e-mail
If you're using a NCD earned with a previous Insurer, please send your proof by post or call
us within 14 days of your new policy start date. This must fit the following criteria:
- Issued by your previous Insurer in the UK
- Less than 24 months old *
- Earned in the UK (not abroad) on the same type of vehicle (car, bike or van)*
- Has your name as the policyholder
- Not used to insure another vehicle
*Some Insurers may accept proof that does not meet these criteria. Please call us on 0844 836 0001 for a bespoke quotation.
It is quicker and easier to provide your no claims bonus over the phone - please call us on 0844 836 0001 and provide the expiry date, policy number and contact details for your previous Insurer. Please allow up to 24 hours from purchase to ensure your policy shows on our system.
If you are unable to provide proof verbally please send in written confirmation. Details of where to send this proof are available on the contact us page. We will not be able to return any proof of No Claims Discount sent in the post, so it is advisable to keep a copy for your own records. It can take up to 72 hours to process your NCD proof from receipt of the information. There is no need to call to check whether we have received it as we will send written confirmation that this has been processed. However, if you have not received this within ten days of postage please call us on 0844 836 0001.
Call our dedicated renewals team with any change of circumstances or amendments required to your policy. Let them do the rest and find a deal to suit your needs. To renew a household policy, call us on 0844 836 1420. For all other policies, call 0844 836 1309
You can get your renewal price up to 14 days before your renewal date, and you will receive a renewal invite at this time. This letter will advise you of your renewal premium price, and you can choose to accept or decline your renewal offer. If you do not accept or decline your renewal offer, your policy will renew automatically (subject to qualifying criteria).
Our prices are among the lowest on the market; however, you may occasionally find a cheaper price elsewhere. If you find a cheaper price please contact us to see if there are any further discounts we can offer. As well as standard internet discounts there are various discounts we can only provide during bespoke telephone quotations.
If there is anything on your policy which is incorrect please call us on 0844 836 1324 for Home, Holiday Home and Landlord Cover and 0844 836 0001 for all other products to amend this information, as failure to ensure accurate details could invalidate your policy. An administration charge of £25 will be applied. Changes which would not attract a charge include those from your renewal date and updating claims and convictions details.
Driving abroadDetails on what your policy covers will be found on your policy documentation. Please note that some insurers require 14 days notice before you travel. Please call us on 0844 836 0001 if you have any questions about travel abroad.
Most Insurers will cover these countries - please check that the country you wish to travel to is covered by your Insurer. This information can be found in your policy documents.
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Going to a country not on this list? Call us on 0844 836 0001 to find out if we can offer cover.
You can pay securely online by the following methods
- As a one-off payment by credit or debit card
- In monthly instalments (subject to certain criteria)
If you decide to pay in monthly instalments we require an initial deposit by credit or debit card, followed by monthly instalments by Direct Debit.
All your payment details will be sent to you with your policy document. If you need copies or clarification, please call one of our customer service advisers on
0844 836 0001.
Please call us on 0844 836 0001 or by e-mail (admin@directchoice.co.uk) if you wish to discuss the possibility of changing your payment date.
You can pay with someone else's credit or debit card. When using another person's card, please make sure that:
- You have permission from the cardholder
- It is a card we accept (Visa, MasterCard, Switch or Maestro)
We apply a £15 charge for all late payments. If you are concerned about missing a payment, please call us as soon as possible to discuss the options available to you. Please note however that failure to meet your payments could result in the cancellation of your insurance policy.
You can do this securely online
- Get an online quote for insurance
- Submit your bank details securely online
- Click submit and then set up your Direct Debit
Alternatively you can set up your Direct Debit over the telephone on 0844 836 0001.
A refund will be calculated unless you've made a claim. If you cancel your policy within 14 days we will refund you in full, unless you've made a claim, less an administration fee of £30. Cancellation after the first 14 days will be refunded on a pro-rata basis, unless you have made a claim, less an administration fee of £75. For full terms and conditions please click here.
Your refund can take up to 14 days to credit your account. A refund will not be processed whilst you are in
possession of a valid Insurance Certificate or Cover Note.
Please refer to the terms and conditions of your policy for further details and to see which cancellation rules apply to you.
Once your policy has been cancelled, we will request your original Certificate of Insurance or Cover Note to be returned before we can process your refund. This is in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Once your policy has been cancelled, if you have received your documents by email, you must surrender or destroy all copies of the Certificate of Insurance or Cover Note that you have printed and you must not print, or permit to be printed, any further copies and delete any electronic communications that might otherwise allow further copies to be printed.
Your payment is taken from your card immediately
If you pay for your insurance by credit or debit card we take the payment as soon as you press the 'Buy' button.
Your deposit payment is taken from your card as soon as you press the 'Buy' button.
Your monthly payments will be debited on or around the date you set up your Direct Debit, and monthly thereafter.
If you pay in full for your insurance by credit or debit card we take the payment as soon as you press the 'Buy' button.
Choose either Comprehensive or Third Party, Fire and Theft or Third Party Only insurance
Comprehensive car insurance includes:
- Repair or replacement of your car if it is damaged or stolen
- Protection against injury to you or other people
- Protection against damage to other peoples' cars and property
- Windscreen repair or replacement
- Cover if your car stereo is damaged or stolen
Third Party Fire and Theft car insurance includes:
- Protection against damage to other peoples' cars and property - but not your own
- Protection against injury to other people
- Repair or replacement of your car if it is stolen or damaged by fire
Third Party Only car insurance:
- Protection against damage to other people's cars and property - but not your own
- Protection against injury to other people
We provide policies to people who are:
- Permanent UK residents
- Not disqualified from holding or obtaining a UK Licence
We cannot cover anyone:
- With non-motoring offences unspent under Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
- Who has had insurance declined, cancelled, voided, or special terms imposed
We do not cover more than four drivers in addition to the policyholder on any one policy.
Check your cover before you drive
If your policy allows you to drive other cars please be aware of the following:
- You will not be covered on a vehicle if you are the owner, registered keeper or if the vehicle is leased to you or hired out under a hire purchase agreement.
- The vehicle you are driving must be insured to be left on the road (minimum legal requirement or Third Party only cover).
Other terms and conditions may apply - please check your policy documents carefully
Policies normally cover social and pleasure use. If you choose to add commuting use you will be covered for normal trips back and forth to a single place of work, but if you use your car while you're working, rather than just driving it to work and back, or if you will ever need to take your vehicle to more than one place of work, you'll need business use cover.
Business use is restricted to driving for your business only. If your spouse requires business use please call us on 0844 836 0001 as some Insurers will provide this.
Please note that business use is dependant on the Insurer - not all Insurers will allow this use.
Adding business cover is likely to result in your premium rising.
Written-off vehicles come in four different classes - Categories A, B, C and D. If your vehicle is a category C or D write off please call us on 0844 836 1309 as we may be able to offer cover.
Your car's log book or an HPI database check will tell you if your car has previously been damaged, repaired or scrapped.
With Windscreen Cover, we will pay to repair or replace broken glass in your car's windscreen or windows through one of our approved repairers. If you wish to make a claim please see the section on making and tracking a claim.
Our Comprehensive car insurance includes windscreen cover as standard, but Third Party, Fire and Theft doesn't. If you require windscreen cover on Third Party, Fire and Theft or Third Party Only policies, this can be added for a nominal charge.
You can make and track a glass claim at any time. Please note however that if you opt for additional windscreen cover (Third Party, Fire and Theft or Third Party Only policies) a 28 day validation period will apply unless you have your windscreen validated at one of our national centres.
Many Direct Choice policies cover you for driving in the EU for free. If this applies to your policy you'll get the same level of insurance that you have in the UK, and it won't cost you anything extra. However, please check your policy documentation or call us on 0844 836 0001 to check your policy terms.
For further details please see the section on Driving Abroad.
Simply fill in our quick and easy online application form or call us on 0844 836 0836 for Car, Motorbike and Van Insurance, 0844 836 1227 for Home, Holiday Home and Landlord or 0844 836 1306 for Caravan & Tradesman Liability Insurance.
From early 2011 a new scheme is being introduced to make sure that all vehicles stay insured or a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) is made. Records held by the DVLA will be compared with those on the Motor Insurance Database (MID). From early 2011, if it appears from the database comparison that the vehicle has no insurance or SORN, a letter will be sent to the registered keeper. If the keeper takes no action, the keeper faces a fixed penalty fine, court prosecution and having the vehicle clamped, seized and destroyed. For more details please visit www.direct.gov.uk/stayinsured.
When you arrange your insurance with Direct Choice, your details are put on the MID. It is vital that the MID holds the correct registration number for your vehicle. If it is incorrectly shown you are at risk of having your vehicle seized by the Police. You can check these details by visiting www.askmid.com.
If you are unsure of the market value of your vehicle, please click here for a free valuation.
If you are unsure of the cost to rebuild your property, please click here to use the free rebuild calculator.
To change driver details please call us on 0844 836 0001 or e-mail us on admin@directchoice.co.uk
To add a driver please call us on 0844 836 0001 or e-mail us on admin@directchoice.co.uk
To change vehicle details please call us on 0844 836 0001 or e-mail us on admin@directchoice.co.uk
To cancel your insurance, you need to call us. Please contact our customer service advisers on 0844 836 0001.
If you intend to scrap your car, call us on 0844 836 0001 for advice on how to proceed.
Any complaint is a serious matter
We aim to provide the highest levels of customer service and as such we take all complaints seriously.
If you wish to make a complaint, please call us on 01303 757 939 or follow the link below.
Why choose Direct Choice?
- We consult over 60 policies to get you the lowest, most competitive quote possible.
- UK based call centres for both Customer Service and sales.
- Our panel of insurance providers enables us to cover a wide variety of vehicles and circumstances.
- We have a 24 hour claim line so that you can report a claim the moment it happens.
- Direct Choice is part of the Acromas Group, which includes brands such as the AA, and arranges insurance or breakdown cover for over six million customers.