Car insurance FAQs
For FAQs relating to our breakdown assistance cover please take a look at our Breakdown Assistance FAQs page.
- Can I get a quote if I don't have a registration number?
- Can I cover a personally imported car?
- Do I need to provide evidence of my no claim discount?
- I've been driving a company car for the last few years. Will you give me a no claim discount?
- What is protected no claim discount for life?
- Can you explain the full claims process to me?
- What should I do if my circumstances change during the period of insurance?
- Am I covered when I drive abroad?
- How do I get my Certificate of Motor Insurance?
- What can I use my car for?
- Does your policy cover me to drive other cars?
- How can I pay for my Sheilas' Wheels policy?
- What should I do if I don't want you to send me any marketing material?
- How do I cancel my policy?
- How do I complain?
- How do I know if my cover has been accepted?
- How can I renew my policy?
- Can I renew my policy if I haven't yet received my renewal invitation?
- Do you offer non-comprehensive insurance?
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Can I get a quote if I don't have a registration number?
Yes. We understand that there may be circumstances where you won't have the registration number of the car you want to insure - it may be that you're thinking of changing cars and want to find out how much it would cost to insure. You can select from our list of cars to get a quotation, but if you decide that you want to buy a policy, then you will need to know the registration number.
Please note that you can't use the same no claim discount on more than one policy at the same time.
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Can I cover a personally imported car?
Yes, but only if the car is, or has been, available as a standard production model in the United Kingdom and has a United Kingdom registration number.
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Do I need to provide evidence of my no claim discount?
If you decide to take out a policy with us, you'll need to provide evidence of your no claim discount, which must have been earned on a private car insurance policy. This is the original of your most recent insurance document from a UK insurer that shows the number of years' no claim discount you've earned, the expiry date of your last insurance policy and any claims you've made. Usually this is one of the documents in your renewal invitation from your last insurer.
Please note that we ONLY accept original documents from UK insurers relating to a no claim discount which has been earned on a private car insurance policy. We don't accept photocopies or documents from brokers or intermediaries. The expiry date of your last insurance must be no more than 2 years ago.
Please note that you can't use the same no claim discount on more than one policy at the same time.
Unfortunately, we can't return your evidence of no claim discount once it has been used for your policy. -
I've been driving a company car for the last few years. Will you give me a no claim discount?
f you're a company car user who is moving to your own insurance, then we'll need a letter from your employer confirming that you were the sole user of the company vehicle, the dates you were covered under the company car scheme, details of any claims which occurred during this period and whether these were settled on a fault or non fault basis. The letter will also need to confirm that you no longer have a company car.
If you don't produce evidence of your declared no claim discount, we'll either charge you for the additional premium required from the start date of your policy or cancel the policy.
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What is protected no claim discount for life?
Protected no claim discount for life guarantees that you will not lose your no claim discount for the life of your policy, regardless of the number of claims you may have providing your policy remains in force and you continue to be eligible for this benefit. You may be able to add it for an additional annual premium at the start of your period of cover, if you have four or more years’ no claim discount.
No claim discount protection for life can only be added to your policy at the start of the period of cover, and is a benefit that relates to your no claim discount only. It does not protect you against any other changes in your premium.
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Can you explain the full claims process to me?
If you would like some more information about making a claim on your car insurance, click to go to our car insurance Claims FAQs page.
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What should I do if my circumstances change during the period of insurance?
You must tell us as soon as possible if any of the following occur:
- you make changes to your car which improves its value, performance or attractiveness to thieves
- you change your car
- you want to use your car for a purpose not included in your schedule
- you become aware of any medical condition of any driver named on the policy which may affect their ability to drive
- you or any other driver named on the policy are convicted of a motoring offence other than fixed-penalty parking offences
- you change the address where you normally keep your car
- you or any other driver named on the policy change your occupation
- you change your annual mileage.
- you or any other driver covered by your policy are convicted of any offence relating to dishonesty, fraud or arson.
We may then re-assess your cover and premium. If you don't tell us about any relevant changes, we may reject or reduce any claim or treat you as being uninsured. We may charge you an administration fee for any changes you make to your policy details during the period of cover. This is shown in your policy schedule.
Please call us on 0845 604 3550 to make any changes to your policy.
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Am I covered when I drive abroad?
Your policy will provide the cover required for Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, and during sea journeys between these places.
It also provides the MINIMUM cover you need by law to use your car in:- any country which is a member of the European Union; and
- any other country for which the Commission of the European Community is satisfied that arrangements have been made to meet the requirements of EC Directives on insurance.
If you ask, we can provide an international motor insurance certificate (Green Card). This will provide less cover than you have at home. The maximum period that you are covered for is 90 days.
In return for any extra premium we may charge, we'll extend the level of cover provided by your policy to named countries in Europe, and certain other countries outside Europe for up to a maximum of 90 days in one policy year, as well as giving you an international motor insurance certificate (Green Card). This extension to your level of cover doesn't include motoring legal protection and breakdown assistance cover. Your car will also be covered while being carried by a recognised carrier between those countries for the period shown on the Green Card. -
How do I get my Certificate of Motor Insurance?
Your Certificate of Motor Insurance is held on our system and will be posted to your contact address by first class mail.
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What can I use my car for?
Your online cover allows use of your car for social, domestic and pleasure purposes, commuting to and from a permanent place of work and allows personal business use for you and your spouse/partner, if named on the policy.
You are not covered to use your car for commercial travelling, any purpose in connection with the motor trade, carriage of goods or passengers for hire or reward, racing, pacemaking, speed testing, rallies, trials or competitions.
If you want any other people to use your car for business purposes, please call us on 0845 604 3550. -
Does your policy cover me to drive other cars?
There are certain occupations where cover to drive other cars is not provided and also some age limitations. We'll tell you during the quote if this cover is not available. Please note that the cover provided to drive other cars is Third Party only.
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How can I pay for my Sheilas' Wheels policy?
We offer our customers a choice of easy payment methods. You can choose to pay your premium in a lump sum by direct debit, debit card or credit card. Or, if you prefer, for a small additional charge, the cost of your car policy can be spread over the year by paying instalments by direct debit. Paying online is via secure server, which uses advanced encryption technology to ensure your details are safe during transmission.
We accept the following credit and debit cards:
The terms and conditions that apply if you want to pay by instalments are set out in our Credit Agreement
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What should I do if I don't want you to send me any marketing material?
We give you an option to tell us during the quote process if you don't want to receive any marketing material. If you don't take up this option and change your mind at any future date, you can also email us at dpo@sheilaswheels.com or write to the Data Protection Officer, Sheilas' Wheels, The Observatory, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 0SG.
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How do I cancel my policy?
If you're not satisfied with the cover provided by your policy, you have 14 days to cancel. If you are a new customer, this will be 14 days from the date you receive your documents. If you are an existing customer, you'll have 14 days from the renewal date of your policy. If you decide to cancel, you must return your Certificate of Motor Insurance to us at Equinox, 19 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 6QQ. As long as no incidents have arisen which could result in a claim under your policy, we'll refund the premium you've paid. If any incidents have arisen, we'll refund the premium you have paid less a pro-rata charge for the time you've been on cover, unless your car is considered to be a total loss or has been stolen and not recovered. In the latter situations we won't refund any premium and, if you are paying by instalments, you must still pay us the balance of the full annual premium.
If you don't exercise your right to cancel during the 14 day period, your policy will continue as normal. If you decide to cancel after this 14 day period, you must give us seven days' notice in writing and return your Certificate of Motor Insurance to us. As long as no incidents have arisen which could result in a claim under your policy, we will refund the part of the premium you have not yet used, less an administration fee to take account of our costs in providing your policy. The fees are detailed in your Schedule.
We'll cancel your policy from the date we receive your Certificate of Motor Insurance. If you have lost your Certificate of Motor Insurance, we'll ask you to complete a Lost Certificate Declaration and your cancellation will not take effect until the date we receive your Certificate of Motor Insurance or Lost Certificate Declaration. If the amount due when you cancel your policy is more than the amount you have paid, you must pay us the difference. If a claim has been made, we'll cancel your cover but not refund any premium. If you are paying by instalments, you must still pay us the balance of the full annual premium.
We also have a right to cancel your policy at any time by giving you seven days' notice in writing. We'll send our letter to the latest address we have for you. If we do cancel your policy, we'll refund the part of your premium you haven't yet used.
If you or we cancel your motor insurance at any time, we'll automatically cancel any motoring legal protection or breakdown assistance cover purchased with it.
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How do I complain?
We are committed to providing you with a first class service but we recognise that there may be an occasion when you feel we may not have done this and you wish to make a complaint. We will always try to resolve any complaint speedily and at the earliest possible stage.
In the first instance, please call us.
If it is about our customer service,
Call 0845 604 3550If it is about your claim,
Call 0845 604 3564We will try to resolve your complaint on receipt but if this is not possible then we will send you a written acknowledgement no later than four working days after we receive your complaint. This will tell you the name of the person handling your complaint and enclose our complaints procedure leaflet.
We will write to you to confirm our resolution of your complaint. If we have not resolved it within four weeks, we will write to you again to explain why and tell you when we expect to give you our decision.
In the unlikely event that the problem has not been solved to your satisfaction, you may contact our Customer Relations Manager who will review your complaint and send you our final decision in writing. Our Customer Relations Manager acts with the full authority of our Chief Executive. The address of our Customer Relations Manager is:
The Customer Relations Manager
Sheilas' Wheels
The Observatory
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 0SGIf we have not resolved your complaint within eight weeks, or if your complaint is still not resolved to your satisfaction, you have the right to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. The contact details for the Financial Ombudsman Service are:
Financial Ombudsman Service
South Quay Plaza 2
183 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SR
Telephone: 0845 080 1800
www.financial-ombudsman.org.ukThe Financial Ombudsman Service will handle most complaints you might have but there are some instances that fall outside its authority. The Ombudsman's decision is binding upon us but you are free to reject it without affecting your legal rights.
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How do I know if my cover has been accepted?
Once you've entered your payment details, the "payment confirmation" page will be displayed. This page is confirmation of your cover, and will display your policy number and cover start date. Your policy documents, including your Certificate of Motor Insurance will be posted to you by first class post.
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How can I renew my policy?
Approximately 4 weeks before your policy expires, we'll send you a renewal invitation by post which will show details of how to renew and what your new premium is.
We'll provide you with details of the terms on which your policy may be renewed. If we're unable to offer you a policy, we'll let you know and you may be provided with details of the terms on which your cover will continue via another insurer in our group (we are part of the Halifax and Bank of Scotland group). By taking out a policy you agree to allow a change of your insurer at renewal.
If you pay your premium by direct debit, your existing policy may be automatically renewed, or your cover may continue to be provided through another insurer. You'll be notified of this before your policy expires and you'll be given details of the renewal terms including any changes in your policy cover. If you don't wish to renew your policy, you should tell us before your renewal date. If you don't tell us and your policy is renewed, we'll continue to make deductions from your bank account for the new premium. If your insurer changes at renewal, we'll ask you to sign a new direct debit form.
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Can I renew my policy if I haven't yet received my renewal invitation?
About 4 weeks before your policy is due for renewal, we'll provide you with the details of the terms on which your policy may be renewed. However, you can renew your policy up to 6 weeks before the renewal date. To do this please call our Customer Service Department on 0845 604 3550 (office hours : Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 2pm.)
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Do you offer non-comprehensive insurance?
If you are looking for Third Party Fire & Theft or Third Party Only insurance then there are two options. Firstly you may call our Contact Centre on 0845 604 3550 or secondly, if you prefer to arrange your insurance online, our sister brand First Alternative may be able to help as they offer non-comprehensive insurance.
