Problem with rare Touareg and insurance company

[Chris-8lhwy]

Hi all,

I loved my treg, it had pan roof, air suspension, Dynaudio pack, absolutely everything I wanted. It was an early 7P (2010). Unfortunately someone rear-ended me on the motorway and the car is a write-off. It took me many months to find one with air suspension and I had to pay a lot more to get this feature.

The insurance company is saying it doesn't matter how rare it is to replace and they don't understand how it can command a premuim. They have paid me nowhere near enough to get another treg with air suspension and I have shown them evidence of a car (the only one I could find) with air suspension which costs considerably more than the payout but they won't listen.

Anyone have any suggestions or expertise that could help me out please?

I am in the UK by the way...

Chris

[OoopsVoss]

Seems unlucky, push them more? I got a few k over list when mine was stolen a few years ago *caveat latest model. Admiral paid top book. Insurance Co, might be bandits, although used values have been crashing of late.

[JohnnyUK]

Did you tell them it was worth more than a standard model, when you insured it?

[samoht]

First, sorry your car was written off, what a pain.

Second, the rarity isn't relevant by itself, as long as it's possible to buy another equivalent car then it's possible to establish a fair market value.

However, if your car had air suspension then I'm fairly sure it's reasonable to use cars with that feature as a benchmark to establish fair value.

It's worth searching as widely as possible including recently sold cars on eg eBay to try and find some more examples with air to compare to. I found these three (motors tends to hold ads after the car's been sold so can be a good place to find examples of what rare cars go for). Also when looking for comparisons try to look fairly widely, i.e. not just 2010 cars with the same spec as yours.

https://www.motors.co.uk/car-68039210/?i=0&m=s...
https://www.motors.co.uk/car-68691615/?i=0&m=s...
https://www.motors.co.uk/car-68196310/?i=16&m=...

When you've got as far as you can with your insurer you can go to the Financial Ombudsman and try there

https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/c...

Ultimately you can take your insurer to court but that's likely to be a high cost route with a poor chance of a return.

[pits]

Insurance ombudsman, had similar when our 840 got hit, couldn't understand the difference between a 4.0 litre car and 4.4 eventually paid out after going through ombudsman with enough evidence to prove that our car wasn't a battered 4.0 litre worth 3k

[honda_exige]

JohnnyUK said:

Did you tell them it was worth more than a standard model, when you insured it?

Irrelevant - he was driven into.

[Bill]

Just keep pushing back. I got all sorts of bks excuses and eventually accepted their 3rd offer which was 10+% more than they started. £9800 iirc to £11500.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

honda_exige said:

JohnnyUK said:

Did you tell them it was worth more than a standard model, when you insured it?

Irrelevant - he was driven into.

It's not irrelevant if he's claiming off his own comp policy as opposed to claiming directly from the tp's insurer.

[honda_exige]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

honda_exige said:

JohnnyUK said:

Did you tell them it was worth more than a standard model, when you insured it?

Irrelevant - he was driven into.

It's not irrelevant if he's claiming off his own comp policy as opposed to claiming directly from the tp's insurer.

Why on earth would you do that?

[edc]

honda_exige said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

honda_exige said:

JohnnyUK said:

Did you tell them it was worth more than a standard model, when you insured it?

Irrelevant - he was driven into.

It's not irrelevant if he's claiming off his own comp policy as opposed to claiming directly from the tp's insurer.

Why on earth would you do that?

The price he paid was the market price and the price he wants is the market price to buy one of the same spec.

[Sheepshanks]

honda_exige said:

Why on earth would you do that?

Sometimes it works but you’re not the 3rd party insurers customer so you have no relationship with them. If you’ve got fully comp insurance why not let your own insurer deal with it? You’ve got to tell them anyway.


To the OP’s point, there another thread running where Direct Line have been pulled up and ordered to review payouts going back 5yrs - so the Ombudsman does take an interest in these things.

[MissChief]

edc said:

honda_exige said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

honda_exige said:

JohnnyUK said:

Did you tell them it was worth more than a standard model, when you insured it?

Irrelevant - he was driven into.

It's not irrelevant if he's claiming off his own comp policy as opposed to claiming directly from the tp's insurer.

Why on earth would you do that?

The price he paid was the market price and the price he wants is the market price to buy one of the same spec.

Exactly. His Insurance is in place to return him to the same position he was in prior to the accident. His Insurance company is not doing that.

[CanAm]

edc said:

The price he paid was the market price and the price he wants is the market price to buy one of the same spec.

But did he tell his insurer that the market price he paid was not that of the standard car?
And as usual, the first -time poster does not answer any questions.......

[edc]

CanAm said:

edc said:

The price he paid was the market price and the price he wants is the market price to buy one of the same spec.

But did he tell his insurer that the market price he paid was not that of the standard car?
And as usual, the first -time poster does not answer any questions.......

He just has a high spec car. Obviously the higher spec is harder to find and of course costs more than the more common lower spec ones on the market. It's a standard car with options, not a non-standard car as such. If your car was a low mile minter and you paid accordingly for it then you'd want to find a comparable low mile minter to benchmark your price not the high mile tatty ones which will be lower priced. The issue is whether you can find a comparable car in the first place.

[andy43]

edc said:

CanAm said:

edc said:

The price he paid was the market price and the price he wants is the market price to buy one of the same spec.

But did he tell his insurer that the market price he paid was not that of the standard car?
And as usual, the first -time poster does not answer any questions.......

He just has a high spec car. Obviously the higher spec is harder to find and of course costs more than the more common lower spec ones on the market. It's a standard car with options, not a non-standard car as such. If your car was a low mile minter and you paid accordingly for it then you'd want to find a comparable low mile minter to benchmark your price not the high mile tatty ones which will be lower priced. The issue is whether you can find a comparable car in the first place.

I was under the impression you have to tell your insurer what is non standard even if it’s factory fitted and let them decide. That’s what I always do - if it’s a high spec I call them and ask them to make a note of the specific options after I’ve taken the policy out online. They have never increased the premium when I do that. It clearly pees the call centres off and they probably think I’m a weirdo but it’s their rules I’m playing by.

[vikingaero]

First port of call is to register a complaint with your Insurer. Then as samoht has said, go via the ombudsman. There are many documented cases of the Ombudsman increasing payouts.

When my Mum wrote off her Note, I couldn't find anything as low mileage and good condition. They offered £7400 and the eventual payout when I provided screenshots was £9100. You have to email or call and say the magic word - complaint.

[Griffith4ever]

andy43 said:

I was under the impression you have to tell your insurer what is non standard even if it’s factory fitted and let them decide. That’s what I always do - if it’s a high spec I call them and ask them to make a note of the specific options after I’ve taken the policy out online. They have never increased the premium when I do that. It clearly pees the call centres off and they probably think I’m a weirdo but it’s their rules I’m playing by.

huh? So you tell your insurer every single optionL extra your car has? Crikey. You really don't have to. They really must love you :-) but, hey, you don't mind so bulky for you.

I don't even know which options on my cars are options.

[parabolica]

Griffith4ever said:

andy43 said:

I was under the impression you have to tell your insurer what is non standard even if it’s factory fitted and let them decide. That’s what I always do - if it’s a high spec I call them and ask them to make a note of the specific options after I’ve taken the policy out online. They have never increased the premium when I do that. It clearly pees the call centres off and they probably think I’m a weirdo but it’s their rules I’m playing by.

huh? So you tell your insurer every single optionL extra your car has? Crikey. You really don't have to. They really must love you :-) but, hey, you don't mind so bulky for you.

I don't even know which options on my cars are options.

Some insurers do require you to declare even factory-fitted equipment as part of their fine print when taking out the policy; I've always avoided them like the plague. Most don't, however.

[Griffith4ever]

parabolica said:

Griffith4ever said:

andy43 said:

I was under the impression you have to tell your insurer what is non standard even if it’s factory fitted and let them decide. That’s what I always do - if it’s a high spec I call them and ask them to make a note of the specific options after I’ve taken the policy out online. They have never increased the premium when I do that. It clearly pees the call centres off and they probably think I’m a weirdo but it’s their rules I’m playing by.

huh? So you tell your insurer every single optionL extra your car has? Crikey. You really don't have to. They really must love you :-) but, hey, you don't mind so bulky for you.

I don't even know which options on my cars are options.

Some insurers do require you to declare even factory-fitted equipment as part of their fine print when taking out the policy; I've always avoided them like the plague. Most don't, however.

Be very curious to know which ones? They would have to make that abundantly clear, not just in small print, as that woudl make them pretty much a specialist policy.

I just always don't tick the box, "has your car been modified in any way?"

I can imagine filling in the form now :-)

"12V Power Socket
360 Degree Parking Aid
360 Degree Surround Camera System
ACC - Adaptive Cruise Control
Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
Blind Spot Assist
Bluetooth Connectivity
Connect Pro Pack
DAB - Digital Audio Broadcast
Domestic Plug Socket
Head Up Display
Meridian Surround Sound System
Navigation Pro
No CD-DVD Player
No Rear Seat Entertainment
Park Assist
Protect
TPMS - Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
TV - Digital
Touch Pro Duo
Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
Trip Computer
USB Sockets
Voice Control
ABS - Anti Lock Braking System
Airbags - Curtain
Airbags - Front Side
Automatic Headlights
CBC - Cornering Brake Control
Centre High Mounted Stop Light
Clear Exit Monitor
Customer Configurable Autolock
DSC - Dynamic Stability Control
EBD - Electronic Brake-Force Distribution
EPB - Electronic Park Brake
ETC - Electronic Traction Control
Emergency Braking
Follow Me Home Lighting
Front Airbags with Passenger Seat Occupant Detector
Front Fog Lights
HDC - Hill Descent Control
Headlight Power Wash
High Speed Emergency Braking
Hill Launch Assist
Intrusion Sensor
Keyless Entry
Lane Keep Assist
Low Traction Launch
Perimetric and Volumetric Alarm with Engine Immobilisation
Pixel LED Headlights with Signature DRL
Power Operated Child Locks
RSC - Roll Stability Control
Rear ISOFIX
Rear Lights - LED
Rear Traffic Monitor
Rear Wash Wiper
Secure Tracker Pro - 12 Month Subscription
TSA - Trailer Stability Assist
22in Alloy Wheels - 5 Split-Spoke Style 5087 - Gloss Black with Contrast Diamond Turned Finish
Acoustic Laminated Windscreen
Auto-Dimming Power Fold - Heated Door Mirrors with Memory and Approach Lights
Black Painted Brake Calipers
Electric Windows with One-Touch Open-Close and Anti-Trap
Front Bumper Accent - Atlas
Front Grille Mesh - Gloss Black
Front Grille Mesh Edging - Atlas
Front and Rear Recovery Eyes
Heated Rear Window
Heated Windscreen
Laminated Front and Rear Side Glass
Locking Wheel Nuts
Mirror Caps - Body Coloured
Privacy Glass
Reduced Section Alloy Spare Wheel
Side Repeater Indicators in Mirror
Sliding Panoramic Roof
Twin Tailpipes
24-way Heated and Cooled Massage Front Seats with Executive Class Rear Seats
Armrests - Front - Driver and Passenger
Auto-Dimming Interior Rear View Mirror
Black Gearshift Paddles
Centre Console with Storage and Armrest
Electrically Adjustable Steering Column
Four Zone Climate Control
Front and Rear Cupholders
Front and Rear Grab Handles
Glovebox - Lockable
Loadspace Cover - Hinged with Hardcover
Luggage Tie-Downs in Loadspace
Multi-Function Steering Wheel
Powered Gesture Tailgate - Boot Lid
Premium Carpet Mats
Push Button Start
Rain Sensing Windscreen Wipers
Rear Centre Armrest
Soft Door Close
Steering Wheel - Heated
Steering Wheel - Wood and Leather
Adaptive Dynamics
Cabin Pre-Conditioning with Remote Control
EPAS - Electronic Power Assisted Steering
Electronic Air Suspension"

[TwigtheWonderkid]

honda_exige said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

honda_exige said:

JohnnyUK said:

Did you tell them it was worth more than a standard model, when you insured it?

Irrelevant - he was driven into.

It's not irrelevant if he's claiming off his own comp policy as opposed to claiming directly from the tp's insurer.

Why on earth would you do that?

Because you have a contract with your insurer. A relationship. To the third party insurer, you're a complete nobody, just someone their customer hit. Bottom of the pile, we'll get to you once we've looked after our own customers.

The end result is the same anyway on a non fault accident, the tp insurer pays. It's just that instead of paying you, they pay your insurer what your insurer paid you.