Oh No, its insurance
Discussion
I had a minor accident last week. Lapse of concentration. My fault. No one else involved. I don't really want to go into too much detail on a public forum. Damage is minor, but due to parts cost, the insurance have declared its a total loss and beyond economic repair. To be honest, I am not that surprised. So far, so good.
Then it started going wrong. To cut a long story short, the underwriters were not aware its an import, and are considering whether or not to pay out.
I KNOW the broker knew it was an import when quoting, but cannot find any documentation to prove that. I can understand the underwriters not being happy if the import was a differnt spec, or more powerful, but in this case it is normal UK spec apart from the badge, so no more of a risk. As the car is insured for market value, and imports are worth less, then the underwriters are better off in one way.
Anyway, no desicion has yet been made, but I have been asked to send a copy of the reg document so they can clarify what spec etc it is. All they will be able to clarify is that its an import, which they know.
However, if they do NOT pay out, ( apart from finding a good solicitor and killing the broker ) I intend to repair the car myself, which using second hand parts would be viable.
My questions are :
1 ) with a copy of the reg document, can they make it a cat D write off, and if not why would they be asking for it.
2 ) if they do not pay out, is it worth me taking them to court ( & if so, the underwriter or broker ), or as I have no proof ( it was a phone conversation ) have I got no chance of winning?
3 ) If they don't pay out, then I have been driving all year without insurence. Should I be entitled to my premium back? Also when getting future quotes, would this count as " a claim " if they have not paid anything out.
Any help or advise appreciated.
Then it started going wrong. To cut a long story short, the underwriters were not aware its an import, and are considering whether or not to pay out.
I KNOW the broker knew it was an import when quoting, but cannot find any documentation to prove that. I can understand the underwriters not being happy if the import was a differnt spec, or more powerful, but in this case it is normal UK spec apart from the badge, so no more of a risk. As the car is insured for market value, and imports are worth less, then the underwriters are better off in one way.
Anyway, no desicion has yet been made, but I have been asked to send a copy of the reg document so they can clarify what spec etc it is. All they will be able to clarify is that its an import, which they know.
However, if they do NOT pay out, ( apart from finding a good solicitor and killing the broker ) I intend to repair the car myself, which using second hand parts would be viable.
My questions are :
1 ) with a copy of the reg document, can they make it a cat D write off, and if not why would they be asking for it.
2 ) if they do not pay out, is it worth me taking them to court ( & if so, the underwriter or broker ), or as I have no proof ( it was a phone conversation ) have I got no chance of winning?
3 ) If they don't pay out, then I have been driving all year without insurence. Should I be entitled to my premium back? Also when getting future quotes, would this count as " a claim " if they have not paid anything out.
Any help or advise appreciated.
Would suggest first port of call is to speak with your broker...mate of mine once found that he wasn't properly insured, when he tried to claim, due a broker not getting things done properly. He simply paid the difference in premiums that he "owed" and the insurance company were fine.
The underwriters have said they do not normaly insure imports, but need to look at the V5 to make a decision. What will that tell them, other than it is an import? ( which they know )
Regarding the write off, if they do not pay out and I mend it ( or rather pay someone to mend it ) can the insurence still register it as a cat C just from a photocopy of the V5, and if so, is that the real reason they want it?
Regarding the write off, if they do not pay out and I mend it ( or rather pay someone to mend it ) can the insurence still register it as a cat C just from a photocopy of the V5, and if so, is that the real reason they want it?
My wife has a 2000 Renualt Megane 1.4 RXi that was imported from Ireland when new (not by us, we are the second owners). Car is identical to the Sports Alize model sold in the UK. Many insurance companies will not insure the car (because it is not on their database of cars sold in the UK?).
We went to a broker who obtained us insurance at a reasonable cost. However, the insurance certificate stated the car was a Sports Alize model. I wrote to the broker and asked for written confirmation that the insurance company knew that the car was actually an imported RXi.
A few days later I received a letter from the broker confirming that the insurance company knew about the 'real' model of the car and that it was imported. Also enclosed was a new insurance certificate from a different insurance company with an instruction to return the 'old' certificate to the broker! I assume that the broker never actually informed the original insurer about the car being imported.
As we have never had a claim on my wife's policy I don't knew what would happen, but at least I have it in writing that the broker has informed the curent insurer.
We went to a broker who obtained us insurance at a reasonable cost. However, the insurance certificate stated the car was a Sports Alize model. I wrote to the broker and asked for written confirmation that the insurance company knew that the car was actually an imported RXi.
A few days later I received a letter from the broker confirming that the insurance company knew about the 'real' model of the car and that it was imported. Also enclosed was a new insurance certificate from a different insurance company with an instruction to return the 'old' certificate to the broker! I assume that the broker never actually informed the original insurer about the car being imported.
As we have never had a claim on my wife's policy I don't knew what would happen, but at least I have it in writing that the broker has informed the curent insurer.
Edited by Philbes on Friday 2nd March 12:19
Edited by Philbes on Tuesday 6th March 13:56
With hindsight, I should have done the same.
I phoned rather than wrote a letter, and then forgot to follow it up.
Looks like it was an expencive thing to forget.
Just spoken to the broker, and they are trying to be helpful, but conviniently have no memories of the phone call ( almost a year ago ).
I phoned rather than wrote a letter, and then forgot to follow it up.
Looks like it was an expencive thing to forget.
Just spoken to the broker, and they are trying to be helpful, but conviniently have no memories of the phone call ( almost a year ago ).
If they are going to pay the claim, and take the car away, I have no problem with them having the V5 and the MOT.
What I cannot understand is why they want to see a faxed copy of the V5 before deciding whether or not they will pay out or say " sorry its an import your not covered ". What will it tell them, they know its an import allready. I will fax it off to them as they have asked for it, but what are they looking for on there?
What I cannot understand is why they want to see a faxed copy of the V5 before deciding whether or not they will pay out or say " sorry its an import your not covered ". What will it tell them, they know its an import allready. I will fax it off to them as they have asked for it, but what are they looking for on there?
Quite often, in any claim, an insurer will want to see the V5, the MOT and a copy of the driver's full licence.
The reason is to see if there is anything there which was not declared originally, which they can then use as a reason to decline the claim or reduce the payout.
Stuff like points on licence, lots of miles on limited mileage cover (from MOT), 5 litre engine rather than 1.2 on V5 etc.
The reason is to see if there is anything there which was not declared originally, which they can then use as a reason to decline the claim or reduce the payout.
Stuff like points on licence, lots of miles on limited mileage cover (from MOT), 5 litre engine rather than 1.2 on V5 etc.
ean218 said:
No help on the broker vs ins co. aspect, but if it is "written off" due to the cost of repair being higher than the value it will be a cat c write off.
Cat D surely if damage is minimal and it's purely costs of parts and labour? Cat C is an extensively damaged, but repairable car.
do you have any notes of the phone call? I always take detailed contemporaneous notes of phone calls arranging insurance. It has saved my bacon on a couple of occasions as it is extremely conducive to help the broker with their memory.
They contain enough detail that they can only have been made at the time (date, time, person's name, accent, mannerisms, details of the convo, any consulting of people in the background, I often ask contextual questions like where the person is and what the weather there is like to get even more detail!).
Bert
They contain enough detail that they can only have been made at the time (date, time, person's name, accent, mannerisms, details of the convo, any consulting of people in the background, I often ask contextual questions like where the person is and what the weather there is like to get even more detail!).
Bert
Hi Dunc
as long as you declared it any point to the insurers then they have to comply with the claim. You can take both to court (county). This happens very frequently, most insurance claims departments will try and minimise their loss(es). Yes in certain circumstances you can claim yr premiums back.
Insurance is a minefiled though, but there are civil statutory rights that you can refer to if they dont play ball.
as long as you declared it any point to the insurers then they have to comply with the claim. You can take both to court (county). This happens very frequently, most insurance claims departments will try and minimise their loss(es). Yes in certain circumstances you can claim yr premiums back.
Insurance is a minefiled though, but there are civil statutory rights that you can refer to if they dont play ball.
BIG DUNC said:
I had a minor accident last week. Lapse of concentration. My fault. No one else involved. I don't really want to go into too much detail on a public forum. Damage is minor, but due to parts cost, the insurance have declared its a total loss and beyond economic repair. To be honest, I am not that surprised. So far, so good.
Then it started going wrong. To cut a long story short, the underwriters were not aware its an import, and are considering whether or not to pay out.
I KNOW the broker knew it was an import when quoting, but cannot find any documentation to prove that. I can understand the underwriters not being happy if the import was a differnt spec, or more powerful, but in this case it is normal UK spec apart from the badge, so no more of a risk. As the car is insured for market value, and imports are worth less, then the underwriters are better off in one way.
Anyway, no desicion has yet been made, but I have been asked to send a copy of the reg document so they can clarify what spec etc it is. All they will be able to clarify is that its an import, which they know.
However, if they do NOT pay out, ( apart from finding a good solicitor and killing the broker ) I intend to repair the car myself, which using second hand parts would be viable.
My questions are :
1 ) with a copy of the reg document, can they make it a cat D write off, and if not why would they be asking for it.
2 ) if they do not pay out, is it worth me taking them to court ( & if so, the underwriter or broker ), or as I have no proof ( it was a phone conversation ) have I got no chance of winning?
3 ) If they don't pay out, then I have been driving all year without insurence. Should I be entitled to my premium back? Also when getting future quotes, would this count as " a claim " if they have not paid anything out.
Any help or advise appreciated.
Then it started going wrong. To cut a long story short, the underwriters were not aware its an import, and are considering whether or not to pay out.
I KNOW the broker knew it was an import when quoting, but cannot find any documentation to prove that. I can understand the underwriters not being happy if the import was a differnt spec, or more powerful, but in this case it is normal UK spec apart from the badge, so no more of a risk. As the car is insured for market value, and imports are worth less, then the underwriters are better off in one way.
Anyway, no desicion has yet been made, but I have been asked to send a copy of the reg document so they can clarify what spec etc it is. All they will be able to clarify is that its an import, which they know.
However, if they do NOT pay out, ( apart from finding a good solicitor and killing the broker ) I intend to repair the car myself, which using second hand parts would be viable.
My questions are :
1 ) with a copy of the reg document, can they make it a cat D write off, and if not why would they be asking for it.
2 ) if they do not pay out, is it worth me taking them to court ( & if so, the underwriter or broker ), or as I have no proof ( it was a phone conversation ) have I got no chance of winning?
3 ) If they don't pay out, then I have been driving all year without insurence. Should I be entitled to my premium back? Also when getting future quotes, would this count as " a claim " if they have not paid anything out.
Any help or advise appreciated.
- Streaky MR2Mike said:
ean218 said:
No help on the broker vs ins co. aspect, but if it is "written off" due to the cost of repair being higher than the value it will be a cat c write off.
Cat D surely if damage is minimal and it's purely costs of parts and labour? Cat C is an extensively damaged, but repairable car.
Quick answer:
The vehicle belongs to you right up until you are in reciept of settlement from ins company. They cannot total loss or Cat a/B/C or D a vehicle they don't own. This means if they don't pay out on the claim, it's still your car and you can do what you like without it appearing on any register.
The Ins company should not be requesting documents until a settlement has been achieved. Do NOT send your V5, a photocopy is sufficient.
My background:
I repair the cars on behalf of clients and Ins companies.
Brokers have come back and said that they do not record any phone calls, so have no information they can give me. Which takes me back to the starting point. i.e. I cannot prove they knew at the time that it was an import. That probably means its not worth my while taking it to court. However, I will be drafting a letter to the brokers shortly stating that hold them responcible.
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