Audi S1 - Stolen

[Krikkit]

joshcowin said:

How active a role does the ombudsman take?

None whatsoever until the insurance co consider the claim to be "completed in full". They provide minimal guidance, but even that is hard to get from them.

Until then you're entirely in the piss-poor customer service of whichever insurance co is trying to screw you.

[xjay1337]

Basically the message is, don't go with admiral.

I was with Admiral many years ago.

I owned a 1.9 Golf TDI at the time.

It came specified with Cruise Control.
Did I need to declare that?!
How would I know that it wasn't "standard" on that model.

If you own a Mercedes with the AMG Power pack, do you need to declare "engine remapping / ECU" changes despite the fact it's a factory fit option?

It's a very grey area which I would imagine the Ombudsman would side with the poor bugger who's being held to ransom.

[shost]

tomsugden said:

Admiral are now trying to argue that I didn't declare the options on the car. As I bought it as an approved used Audi, how was I supposed to know that someone had ticked lots of boxes when the car was built? They are saying their risk profile on the car was wrong, and I have countered by asking why they didn't question my valuation of the car of £29k when I first insured it.

I understand the need to declare modifications, but options, really?

When I added my 10 year old MINI had a massive argument with computer from abroad. I kept saying I don't know what is an option or not because it's a used 10 year old car. He kept saying "but sir if you find out please let us know". I made a complaint and stated that I do not know whether the various items are options or whether these were standard run out packages. I just kept stating I do not know and it is unfair to ask and if a claim is not upheld due to this issue I will be angry etc. Because it's an absurd rule. I don't recall being asked regarding my BMW which has options I picked 5 years ago. Think it's an relatively recent policy changes. Try calling at different times with admiral as during day more likely to get a sensible brit

Edited by shost on Thursday 2nd February 14:46

[HedgeyGedgey]

I know this isn't the answer but we have an evo with a 3/12inch all the way through exhaust (sets off car alarms and vibrates windows of buildings nearby) and a paddle clutch in our garage at home with a downhill drive. If the scrotes are willing to wake up the entire country by starting it up and revving the arse off it to get it off the drive with the paddle clutch then they can have it. Although having a dog and, valet mode and immobiliser does help lol. If they still manage to get it away from the area without giving up they can bloody well have it is our motto

[culpz]

Risotto said:

Which is why I always answer 'not to my knowledge' rather than 'no' when asked if my cars have any modifications or similar.

Edited by Risotto on Thursday 2nd February 12:37

That's fine if you ring up but not so much when you're doing it online with only set choice answers.

Unless they have one which allows that specific selection of course, but i highly doubt it.

[Jonno02]

HedgeyGedgey said:

(sets off car alarms and vibrates windows of buildings nearby)

I'm sure neighbours think very highly of that.

[Mr2Mike]

essayer said:

Admiral: "Anything which changes the makers standard specification"

The makers standard specification for a 2017 S1 or S1 Competition can be found here -
https://www.audi.co.uk/new-cars/a1/s1-hub.html
On the "Trim & Specifications" tab under "Standard Specification"

or here -

https://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/audi/production...

I would assume that anything selected from "Options" modifies the car from the standard specification and would need to be declared if asked.

That would depend on how you interpret "specify", since obviously factory fitted options are specified (i.e. specifications set) by the manufacturer. If an insurance company were so ridiculously picky about factory fitted options then I'd probably look elsewhere, you just know they'd be a nightmare to deal with in the event of a claim.

[HedgeyGedgey]

Jonno02 said:

I'm sure neighbours think very highly of that.

We've lived here for the longest in the street and never had any complaints, if it gets started early in the morning for shows etc we go around to the neighbours the day before saying sorry. But it's not like it gets left idling at all as the best way to warm up your car is to drive it

[framerateuk]

HedgeyGedgey said:

I know this isn't the answer but we have an evo with a 3/12inch all the way through exhaust (sets off car alarms and vibrates windows of buildings nearby) and a paddle clutch in our garage at home with a downhill drive. If the scrotes are willing to wake up the entire country by starting it up and revving the arse off it to get it off the drive with the paddle clutch then they can have it. Although having a dog and, valet mode and immobiliser does help lol. If they still manage to get it away from the area without giving up they can bloody well have it is our motto

I have a similar theory with my Caterham. If they can get it out of the garage without me or the dog hearing them, past my other car, and assuming they're wearing shoes small enough to let them touch only one pedal at once, good luck to them!

Having read this thread too, I'm with Admiral for my Clio, I've just contacted them to add my heated "Trophy" seats and carbon dash bits on to my policy since it didn't occur to me to include them at all when I got the insurance. I'd actually forgotten they were an option.

EDIT: Urgh, I've just realised the RS Monitor system is an option extra too.

Edited by framerateuk on Friday 3rd February 12:47

[ensignia]

I'm with Admiral, but won't be renewing if they expect people to start listing options as modifications.

[fushion julz]

I hope you get this all sorted OP...sounds a real nightmare.

I stopped using Admiral some years ago and won't go back...Currently using Hastings premier and hope they would be OK in the event of a claim

[Adz The Rat]

I got my insurance renewal through for my S1 on Monday, it had almost doubled!

I did some shopping around and got it down to almost where it was last year.

Im wondering if it went up because of the high theft target of Audi S products?

[PixelpeepS3]

Adz The Rat said:

I got my insurance renewal through for my S1 on Monday, it had almost doubled!

I did some shopping around and got it down to almost where it was last year.

Im wondering if it went up because of the high theft target of Audi S products?

My s3 was 25% more to insure than the 7R - same car... clearly seen as more desirable -/

[tomsugden]

framerateuk said:

Having read this thread too, I'm with Admiral for my Clio, I've just contacted them to add my heated "Trophy" seats and carbon dash bits on to my policy since it didn't occur to me to include them at all when I got the insurance. I'd actually forgotten they were an option.

As a matter of interest, did they adjust your premium?

[Buster73]

I always send our broker a copy of the invoice for any car I insure , funnily enough the Aston I bought last year had all the options listed on the invoice , but the value alongside said foc.

That'll confuse the bu ggers if there is ever a claim.

[WCZ]

food for thought, thanks - won't be insuring with Admiral again, I had a 5 series with £30k options or something stupid like that (every single option available) insured with them awhile ago, glad it didn't get stolen!

[familyguy1]

sadly I don't think they are "getting away with anything" when you read the terms and conditions

http://www.admiral.com/policyDocs/AD-003-011-Your-...

Modifications Any changes to your cars standard specification, including accessories and additional parts; optional extras and after market alterations; trade related changes and parts. These include, but are not restricted to, cosmetic and/or performance changes or changes related to your business or profession.

I'm not defending them, infact I think its barking mad and they are not clear/specific on if they mean manufacturers optional extras

[Dr Interceptor]

Doesn't surprise me that the Options issue has come up, unfortunately

Optional extras are a bit of a minefield. I've had four MINIs, and as you probably know, they used to come with sweet FA as standard (first one had a tape player), and you could double it's value with options. Because of that, I've always listed them, just to avoid the issue.

God help anyone who bought one of mine second hand, they were never 'standard'.

[framerateuk]

tomsugden said:

As a matter of interest, did they adjust your premium?

Just had a reply from them, the Seats and carbon inserts added £19.50, still waiting on the RSMonitor.

I won't be using Admiral again next year for sure!

[tomsugden]

Something has just occurred to me - Admiral have given my car to a salvage company without first agreeing a settlement figure with me. If we can't agree a figure, and they can't return the car, what happens then? Could I sue them?