I had car insurance with a major insurance company up to 26 May this year. When I contacted them with a view to renewing the policy, they asked for a copy of my driving licence which I duly sent. I then received a phone call to say that I hadn't declared a speeding endorsement when I applied for the insurance and therefore I owed them £500.56. I am 100 per cent sure that the conviction was included in the application. I rely on my car for work and there is no way that I would jeopardise my livelihood by doing something so stupid. They have threatened that a debt collection agency will be instructed to collect the money.

What can I do? I have no proof that the endorsement was on my application form. I have had to borrow the money to pay. Because I wrote a letter of complaint, they have said that they will not cash the cheque until the complaint has been dealt with. I can ill afford to lose the money. I really don't know what to do next.