Just rung Norwich Union Direct but didn't want to speak to someone from India so didn't ring the various freephone or 0870 numbers available.  I instead opted for the 0114x in the (verified) database.

I rung up to get some kind of proof that I have more than 5 years NCD which the letter they sent me only said 5 years which is maximum their automated letters will state regardless of how many years NCD you may have.

Anyhow to cut a long story short (too late), I spoke with a polite lady and explained my circumstances that now that I've changed insurers, I've effectively gone back to 5 years NCD even though I knew I had over 7 years NCD at least.

This polite lady explained that yes their system was only capable of doing their maximum accepted 5 years NCD on any (automated) letter but she could do a letter herself that stated how many years NCD I had when I joined them and how long I've been with them.  This letter effectively now states 9 years NCD.

At the end of this conversation and after she did the letter (she kept me on hold whilst she typed the letter), she came back to the phone and informed me the letter was done, etc but said that a system message had appeared on my account that stated I had rung a non-recognised number and could I confirm which number I rung and she was then to forward this info to their ICT department.

I, of course, said I'd rung a freephone and gave her this information.  I've never had any other company ask this unless I've rung someones direct line and acted dumb and they transferred me.

The moral of the thread is that it appears that Norwich Union Direct's telephone system is obviously capable of determining that a non advertised freephone/0870 number was rung.

For the record, the 0114 number answered with the "Thank you for calling Norwich Union Direct......".

Therefore, if you ring NU on any number not released to the public and you're ever asked which number you rang please state it was freephone or 0870 number (and give them a number).

This will hopefully mean the geographical number will last longer before taken out of circulation.