Privilege Insurance - Proof of Immobiliser

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

I'm wondering whether anyone has come across a situation I find myself in concerning Privilege Insurance.

I have taken out a policy with them for my 944. As part of that I need to prove that I have an immobiliser fitted to my car. I have a certificate from the installer, with the registration number of the car as used by the previous owner and the chassis number. The registration number on the certificate is a private one which was moved off the car and a 'regular' one put on it by the old owner before I bought it, and I don't have the DVLA documents relating to the change.

Privilege have declined to accept this, saying they need to see a certificate with the current registration number. I pointed out that the certificate has the chassis number of the car and they can check this with the DVLA. I have also offered to post them a copy of the V5, which would link the chassis number with the reg number, but they have adamantly insisted on having a certificate with the registration number.

I have just had a somewhat disappointing conversation with a Privilege call-centre bod who would simply re-state their policy, declined to listen to reason and refused to put me through to anyone more senior.

Has anyone come across this before or have any suggestions on what to do?

Thanks,


Oli.

[Yell_M3]

Take your money elsewhere... you're in call centre hell, no other way out.

[Gareth79]

I would write them a formal letter with a copy of the certificate setting everything out, saying that you think it is unreasonable to have to pay for an inspection, and given the chassis number is authoritative and included on the certificate precisely because registration numbers can, and do change across the life of the vehicle.

Mention that if they decide that it is still not acceptable that you would like to invoke their complaints procedure - that will focus their minds on what the Ombudsman would think of their replies.

Edited by Gareth79 on Thursday 2nd August 14:46

[Devil2575]

It's a long time since I had a car were I needed to produce an immobiliser certificate for insurance.

Paying £125 to get a cat 2 immobiliser used to be common place.

These days most cars proper factory fit security.

No idea how to help though. Sorry.

[whatmoretyres]

Stay on the phone until they put you through to someone senior. I had this with Admiral and after 10 mins of 'there isn't anyone' and me saying 'yes there is' they put me through.

I got it fixed on the phone there and then, it was an equally tedious matter to yours!

Good luck and persist!

[scarble]

Tell them you don't have one, just checked this online and it knocks £20 of my premium.. which incidentally would be about £1k cheaper if I took it out now than 11 months ago, even if I put down my dob a year later, time held license a year less etc.

[zcacogp]

Update to this: I called their main switchboard and asked to be put forward to customer complaints. Ended up talking to someone who sounded senior, and who knew the muppet whom I originally spoke to. He agreed that an immobiliser fitting certificate showing the chassis number was more than sufficient, so I scanned a copy of the certificate, and a copy of the V5 showing the chassis number and (current) registration number and eMailed it to him. He called back within 30 minutes confirming that all was well.

I formally complained about the person who originally took the call, by name, and he said he would listen to the recording of the call and ensure it was looked into appropriately.

All in all, I'm happy with the outcome. Thanks for your suggestions everyone.


Oli.