Mate had accident & insurance co have voided property
Discussion
Evening PH collective.
My mate (no really!) had an accident recently, was only doing about 20mph, young driver cut in front of him, lad's car rolled, no one hurt (save bruised ego's) so police attended the scene. Nothing untoward at this point. No witnesses to speak of so it's likely going to end up 50:50.
His car had minor damage, took bumper off and dented wing.
Insurance company arrange for a hire car and collected his van.
Two weeks go by and he gets a call from insurance company asking to clarify some points...! During the inspection process it was noted that the van had a sink fitted in the back (van came like this), turns out my mate had bought the van insurance without declaring any mods. The insurance company have apparently said that it doesn't appear like he was out to mislead them but the modification makes it a campervan and they don't insure campervans so they've voided his policy which means he wasn't insured when the accident occurred.
He's now freaking out that he's going to be arrested and sued for losses by the other insured party and be left with a huge bill for the hire car.
Does anyone have any helpful advice for him please?
Thanks
TLDR: Mate bought van insurance for his T5, had an accident, insurers took van for repairs, see's sink is installed claims it's a campervan that they don't insure so have voided his policy.
My mate (no really!) had an accident recently, was only doing about 20mph, young driver cut in front of him, lad's car rolled, no one hurt (save bruised ego's) so police attended the scene. Nothing untoward at this point. No witnesses to speak of so it's likely going to end up 50:50.
His car had minor damage, took bumper off and dented wing.
Insurance company arrange for a hire car and collected his van.
Two weeks go by and he gets a call from insurance company asking to clarify some points...! During the inspection process it was noted that the van had a sink fitted in the back (van came like this), turns out my mate had bought the van insurance without declaring any mods. The insurance company have apparently said that it doesn't appear like he was out to mislead them but the modification makes it a campervan and they don't insure campervans so they've voided his policy which means he wasn't insured when the accident occurred.
He's now freaking out that he's going to be arrested and sued for losses by the other insured party and be left with a huge bill for the hire car.
Does anyone have any helpful advice for him please?
Thanks
TLDR: Mate bought van insurance for his T5, had an accident, insurers took van for repairs, see's sink is installed claims it's a campervan that they don't insure so have voided his policy.
QuattroDave said:
Simpo Two said:
Does a sink really make it a campervan? No bed, no WC, no cooking facilities... how would you camp in that?
In my opinion? No. Especially when it was full of his work tools.But, some insurance companies like get outs on technicalities.
This is just classic insurance company trying to wiggle out of paying up in the event of a claim, though they ll happily take your money up until then.
Installing a sink counts as a modification. That modification wasn’t declared. Therefore insurance is void. It’s irrelevant whether it’s a van or a camper van or whatever.
He definitely won t get arrested or anything like that. He might be liable for car hire expenses and any claims from the other insurer though.
Installing a sink counts as a modification. That modification wasn’t declared. Therefore insurance is void. It’s irrelevant whether it’s a van or a camper van or whatever.
He definitely won t get arrested or anything like that. He might be liable for car hire expenses and any claims from the other insurer though.
Bill said:
Bit odd just to have a sink with no other camper bits, most people would start with a bed.
Faily common, most of the ex national rail vans have a sink. And would guess a lot of other simular companys do. My giess is a h&s thing now, having somewhere to wash your hands before you eat your sandwiches.georgeyboy12345 said:
This is just classic insurance company trying to wiggle out of paying up in the event of a claim, though they ll happily take your money up until then.
Installing a sink counts as a modification. That modification wasn t declared. Therefore insurance is void. It s irrelevant whether it s a van or a camper van or whatever.
He definitely won t get arrested or anything like that. He might be liable for car hire expenses and any claims from the other insurer though.
I told him to return the hire car asap! Agree that I think it's unlikely he'll get arrested.Installing a sink counts as a modification. That modification wasn t declared. Therefore insurance is void. It s irrelevant whether it s a van or a camper van or whatever.
He definitely won t get arrested or anything like that. He might be liable for car hire expenses and any claims from the other insurer though.
Also agree on the modification point, it wasn't declared so allows for an exit for them, just frustrating that him having a sink in the back didn't contribute to the accident. Moreso given he often transports sinks for his work as a bathroom/kitchen fitter!
What kind of sink? One which might typically be found in a work van such as those fitted in some AA vans, Network Rail, etc? Or is it the start of a camper conversion, ie a leisure sink? Does it also have a water tank (not an insignificant mod), pump, extra electrics etc?
In either case, its definitely a mod.
i believe what ought to happen is they calculate what the premium would have been had the mods been declared, then pay the pro-rata settlement based on the difference in premiums. Not sure what route is taken if they wouldn't have insured it at all though.
In either case, its definitely a mod.
i believe what ought to happen is they calculate what the premium would have been had the mods been declared, then pay the pro-rata settlement based on the difference in premiums. Not sure what route is taken if they wouldn't have insured it at all though.
Was under the impression that an insurance company can only void a policy from inception for undeclared modifications if they can show that they would not have insured had the mods been declared. If they would have insured (but potentially at an increased premium) then there are rules regarding reduction in payments of claims (I think perhaps in proportion to what the increased premium would have been).
Assuming that s correct then OP s mate needs to check the insurance co s position regarding whether they would have insured a van with a sink, versus whether they would have insured a camper van.
If the former but not the latter then they need to convince insurer (or the ombudsman if it gets that far) that it was not a camper van.
Assuming that s correct then OP s mate needs to check the insurance co s position regarding whether they would have insured a van with a sink, versus whether they would have insured a camper van.
If the former but not the latter then they need to convince insurer (or the ombudsman if it gets that far) that it was not a camper van.
Jamessd said:
Was under the impression that an insurance company can only void a policy from inception for undeclared modifications if they can show that they would not have insured had the mods been declared. If they would have insured (but potentially at an increased premium) then there are rules regarding reduction in payments of claims (I think perhaps in proportion to what the increased premium would have been).
Assuming that s correct then OP s mate needs to check the insurance co s position regarding whether they would have insured a van with a sink, versus whether they would have insured a camper van.
If the former but not the latter then they need to convince insurer (or the ombudsman if it gets that far) that it was not a camper van.
If you read it all, the Op states that the insurers dont cover camper vans so its voided.Assuming that s correct then OP s mate needs to check the insurance co s position regarding whether they would have insured a van with a sink, versus whether they would have insured a camper van.
If the former but not the latter then they need to convince insurer (or the ombudsman if it gets that far) that it was not a camper van.
Thats the angle, is it a 'campervan'. Would they have covered it if its a work sink, if so they should just take the increased premium.
Needs to be challenged and taken to the ombudsman. but first, is it only a sink and how big is it ?
Gary C said:
If you read it all, the Op states that the insurers dont cover camper vans so its voided.
Thats the angle, is it a 'campervan'. Would they have covered it if its a work sink, if so they should just take the increased premium.
Needs to be challenged and taken to the ombudsman. but first, is it only a sink and how big is it ?
He clearly had read it all. Did you read the post before replying to it :-) ?Thats the angle, is it a 'campervan'. Would they have covered it if its a work sink, if so they should just take the increased premium.
Needs to be challenged and taken to the ombudsman. but first, is it only a sink and how big is it ?
DVLA lists the items that are required to be installed in a van to make it a camper, just a sink alone doesn't make it a camper, storage, sleeping area, table and cooking area are all required.
I guess it depends if they're refusing to cover the mods or specifically saying that it's a camper, the latter is incorrect and could be challenged pretty easily I would think?
And pretty impressive to get a vehicle to roll over at 20mph.
I guess it depends if they're refusing to cover the mods or specifically saying that it's a camper, the latter is incorrect and could be challenged pretty easily I would think?
And pretty impressive to get a vehicle to roll over at 20mph.
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