Insurance with turbo - palaverama

[Pupp]

So, my long-held Mannings arranged policy with Amlin falls due for renewal on 24 August - I receive the renewal invitation for a quite acceptable premium but, doing the honourable thing given the car will hopefully be running again by then and what I thought was a good relationship based on my loyalty, I give Mannings a call to declare the turbo etc and revise the cover from renewal. Cue the sharp intake of breath and the "sorry sir, we don't insure aftermarket turbocharger or supercharger conversions, even for customers who have been with us and claim/conviction free for donkeys years..., nope, not at all, not at any price, not never ever" conversation

So, an hour on the phone later, Mannings/Amlin lose my business and goodwill completely, and their invited renewal premium plus all of £25 more secures equivalent or better cover and lower excesses, and agreed value, with turbo etc specifically declared via Equity Red Star. Absolutely senseless

[Pupp]

I wasn't for a moment expecting there would be no additional premium, fair's fair etc and I was entirely happy to negotiate a realistic loading to reflect the extra risk. Summary rejection without, as far as I could tell, so much as even putting the proposal to an underwriter just seems lazy and hardly what I'd expect of a 'performance' specialist broker; he may as well have said 'no way mate, we don't insure blue cars'. Maybe life's a little too easy presently in Henley on Thames

[Pupp]

Just as I thought; lazy brokering. Well rid

[Pupp]

Mannings after being asked to account for renewals said:

Dear Mr Pupp,

The changes to our policy came into effect some years ago. We were obliged to continue cover for existing policies that had already performed these modifications. We have been unable to cover any customer, new or existing, that has performed these type of modifications mid-term in the last few years.

Again it is with regret we have lost you as a customer after so many years. However underwriting changes do happen to all policies over a period of time to keep them viable products. While we would like to cover all eventualities and scenarios this is not possible. Which is where the competitiveness of the insurance market comes into effect with different insurers being able to take on different aspects of risk. I am glad you have managed to find cover with a policy you are happy with elsewhere.

If you would like to make a formal complaint we would ask if you could submit it in writing to us.

Regards...