I had a word in the legal ear about this, and the answer is:
I have no come back at all with the insurance company, they are within their rights to cancel the policy at any time if they haven't been paid. They did try and contact me, it was just an unfortunate error on my behalf that the email went straight into my junk mail folder and not into my inbox, so I wasn't aware of any problem until the blue lights appeared behind me...and by then it was too late. It could have been worse, I could have been involved in an accident and then I would have been in very serious trouble. That's the legal view...
So, I paid the fine today by cheque, I've made a few alterations to my junk mail filter so as I receive anything that the noddingdog.com care to send me, my new insurance is paid up, no direct debits, it was paid in one lump sum, so I am now fully and completely insured to drive my car on the road.
The cost of the fine and the cost of the new insurance policy are in total just about the same as the value of the bl**dy car!!! And guess what? The bl**dy road tax is due at the end of the month!!!!
Anybody want to buy a Rover 214? (short tax, six months MOT, new cat converter...buy your own bl**dy insurance!!!)
Rich (not now I'm not.....)