Ask the Expert: Has my insurer penalised me for my disability?

Dear Alex,

My wife and I have one car, insured in my name with her as an additional driver. However, I suffered a stroke in January and have had my licence revoked. I informed my insurer, which acknowledged this in writing. My renewal is now due and my insurer offered a slight reduction, but based on me as the main driver with my wife as an additional driver. When I phoned to correct this, they re-quoted with my wife as the main driver but, instead of the slight reduction in premium, they now quoted a 20 per cent increase, apparently because my no-claims bonus no longer applies. Is this normal? It seems unfair that the no-claims bonus has been forfeited in this circumstance and I feel penalised for my disability.

– AK

Dear AK,

I'm afraid it is normal and entirely in keeping with the way insurance works in the UK. Think of it this way: while we talk about car insurance, insurers don't cover the car – they insure the driver. That means the no-claims bonus usually only applies to the person named as the main driver on the policy – not to all the drivers.

Thus, it's completely normal that your wife, who evidently hasn't bee...