Direct Line Insurance

[ripley500]

Does anyone on here insure their Aston with Direct Line?
I just changed from CCI to DL because they offered unlimited mileage for less than CCI who could only offer me fixed mileage this year (shame because I've always liked CCI).

However DL insist on me proving that the car has an approved alarm - so we sent them a letter and certificate direct from AM (who have been exceptionally helpful as has my local dealer) but DL keep saying that they need an actual certificate otherwise the car will not be insured for theft.

Now, when buying the insurance online, the option comes up for 'Factory Aston Martin Alarm/Immobilizer' which I selected. AM have sent an insurance letter to DL to verify that my car 56 plate V8 Vantage has the alarm/immobilizer and still DL are insisting for a 'certificate'

My wife has spoken to countless people at DL and they all contradict one another - upshot being that they seem to be saying my car is not insured for theft until they receive said certificate. Their incompetence is astounding and we're now past the 14 day cooling off period, otherwise I'd ask for my money back and take my business elsewhere (even if it costs more).

I'd be interested to find out if others on here use DL and what you did to satisfy their demands.

Thanks

[IanDH]

That's barmy. I've never had to provide proof of factory fitted equipment on any car I've bought. Elephant didn't even ask for proof of my Tracker system installation.

[clorenzen]

Make your own conclusions, but if DL are so difficult when trying to prove something which is essentially basic how would they be to deal with when you have an insurance claim. Sometimes it is just a little better to pay a little more and be certain that your service level is up to scratch when you really need it.

[woolders]

Ian, I imagine that they don't care. When I bought mine, I added it to my Admiral policy and when asked if it had a tracker, I told them I didn't because I hadn't picked the car up. When I found out that it had and told them, they said that it would not attract a discount!

[NigelStn]

woolders said:

Ian, I imagine that they don't care. When I bought mine, I added it to my Admiral policy and when asked if it had a tracker, I told them I didn't because I hadn't picked the car up. When I found out that it had and told them, they said that it would not attract a discount!

The same thing happened to me with Aviva

[macpaul]

Admiral put my insurance UP when I told them the car had a Tracker.

'Computer says so.......'

[ripley500]

clorenzen said:

Make your own conclusions, but if DL are so difficult when trying to prove something which is essentially basic how would they be to deal with when you have an insurance claim. Sometimes it is just a little better to pay a little more and be certain that your service level is up to scratch when you really need it.

Yes, lesson learned - been with CCI for many years but this time they couldn't offer unlimited mileage and I like the piece of mind knowing that I can drive the car as much as I want - hence DirectLine seemed like a good option. With hindsight I'd have made a different choice.

[leemanning]

I've just spoken to my girlfriend who recently left direct line after working for them for a number of years.

She has said you need to get this referred to the Technical Referral Unit. This will then go to an underwriter, who hopefully will use their common sense, and should go through. Should help with the 'Computer says no' response that you seem to be getting!

Let me know if you need any more info

[ripley500]

leemanning said:

I've just spoken to my girlfriend who recently left direct line after working for them for a number of years.

She has said you need to get this referred to the Technical Referral Unit. This will then go to an underwriter, who hopefully will use their common sense, and should go through. Should help with the 'Computer says no' response that you seem to be getting!

Let me know if you need any more info

Thanks for this - it looks like they have seen sense now, we have them verbally accepting (and recorded in their call centre notes) that the letter from AM is sufficient proof so hopefully this will be the end of it.

[burntout]

Mines insured with direct line, I seem to remember some confusion with the same issue, but I done the same as you and they accepted it......

Put in a complaint.....

[Roo3Stuart]

Direct Line refused to insure my V8 on the basis I had zero NCB, even though they have insured my 5 series without claim for the last 10 years! Sometimes it is just too hard..

[Slarti]

Cooling off period? I wasn't aware insurance companies had lock-ins(?) I've been with DL in the past and cancelled a policy part way through.