Motorists in the UK warned over invalid insurance
The financial services industry watchdog in the UK issued a warning today about a company selling invalid motor insurance policies.
Any consumers who have bought car insurance from a firm called Double Easy Brokers – trading as Eeasybrokers – are being urged by the Financial Services Authority to arrange valid cover immediately.
Double Easy Brokers, which is not authorised by the FSA, has been offering invalid policies to the public.
The FSA said: “Consumers would be committing a criminal offence by driving without valid insurance cover.
“Consumers should also contact the FSA’s consumer helpline on 0845 606 1234 to assist with their inquiries.
“Because the firm was not authorised, consumers do not have access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service.”
The FSA said it knows of only a limited number of invalid policies that were sold to consumers in the Cardiff, Leeds and Southampton areas.
But because policies may have also been sold by franchises, the extent and location of the sales could be greater.
Although Eeasybrokers appears to have ceased trading, it is possible that policies issued by Double Easy Brokers may be still be sold by franchisees or other intermediaries.
Double Easy Brokers claimed association with Zurich Insurance Company, but is not affiliated with Zurich in any way. Double Easy Brokers also falsely claimed that it was authorised to issue the policies in Zurich’s name.
It was trading through its website in a style identical to that of easyMoney.com Car Insurance, but neither easyMoney.com nor any other company within the easyGroup group of companies has any affiliation with Double Easy Brokers.
Both Zurich and easyGroup brought the matter to the FSA’s attention and provided information on the activities of the firm.
Double Easy Brokers is registered with Companies House under the company number 05885504 and at 11 Murray Street, Camden, north London.
Literature distributed by the company lists a further address – Capitol House, 1 Houndwell Place, Southampton.
