Octagon Insurance - signwriting not allowed!

Octagon Insurance - signwriting not allowed!

Author
Discussion

kingofherts

Original Poster:

383 posts

197 months

Monday 25th November 2013
quotequote all
Hi guys,

I've just received a phone call from Octagon Insurance who insures my work vans, telling me that they are cancelling my insurance (paid in full in Feb'13) as apparently they DONT INSURE vans with signwriting all over.

I first of all thought this was a joke, as i remember quite clearly filling in the boxes which ask about signwriting. It gave you a choice of no signwriting, signwriting on the sides, or signwriting on the sides,front and rear. - I chose all round, as that's what I have.

Now for some unknown reason, today they have told me that the underwriters have decided that my van is now 'uninsurable' with them, as they do not insure signwritten vans, as according to them it's a 'modification'.

All well and good you might think, but they have a page on their own website encouraging people to get signwriting all over their vehicles..

http://www.octagoninsurance.com/guide/van/branding...

According to the two people I have spoken to at Octagon today, they only insure vans with ONE DOOR signwritten. I asked them how many tradesmen bother to have one door signwritten, and they couldn't answer me.

I've also been told that I will have to pay a £50 cancellation charge, which is non negotiable according to the 'manager' who I spoke to.

Has anyone else heard of such rubbish? I'm really thinking about going to the Watchdog about this one it's ridiculous.

As you can understand, I'm fuming... I'm waiting to hear back from one of their monkeys

Edited by kingofherts on Monday 25th November 16:56

abbotsmike

1,033 posts

146 months

Monday 25th November 2013
quotequote all
Having considered contacting them on a seperate issue, I'd look into contacting the insurance ombudsman. From my reading this could be right up their street. Whilst I can't say they'll force the insurer to insure you, you shouldn't end up out of pocket!!

RSoovy4

35,829 posts

272 months

Monday 25th November 2013
quotequote all


"Watchdog"

rofl


Try the Ombudsman instead - you'll get what you want that way.


kingofherts

Original Poster:

383 posts

197 months

Monday 25th November 2013
quotequote all
abbotsmike said:
Having considered contacting them on a seperate issue, I'd look into contacting the insurance ombudsman. From my reading this could be right up their street. Whilst I can't say they'll force the insurer to insure you, you shouldn't end up out of pocket!!
Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a go... Still can't beleive they'd try this.

kingofherts

Original Poster:

383 posts

197 months

Monday 25th November 2013
quotequote all
Well that was sorted easily....

Just called the financial ombudsman and explained what had happened today, they said that they would be contacting Octagon insurance by letter and that I should call them back to let them know that I have logged a complaint against them.

Ten minutes later, phone call from Octagon - Apology, we were wrong etc etc. Definately won't be cancelling your insurance etc etc.. Very sorry for misunderstanding etc etc..

Been promised my insurance will be valid until end of policy next year, no extra charges to pay.

Result.


shovelheadrob

1,564 posts

172 months

Monday 25th November 2013
quotequote all
Sign writing on a van, my insurers NFU said it would be cheaper if my van was sign written as it makes it easier to identify if stolen. I argued that it also advertises to the lowlifes what trade you are in giving a clue as to what may be inside.

RSoovy4

35,829 posts

272 months

Tuesday 26th November 2013
quotequote all
kingofherts said:
Well that was sorted easily....

Just called the financial ombudsman and explained what had happened today, they said that they would be contacting Octagon insurance by letter and that I should call them back to let them know that I have logged a complaint against them.

Ten minutes later, phone call from Octagon - Apology, we were wrong etc etc. Definately won't be cancelling your insurance etc etc.. Very sorry for misunderstanding etc etc..

Been promised my insurance will be valid until end of policy next year, no extra charges to pay.

Result.
You're welcome hehe


AlexHerts

Original Poster:

383 posts

197 months

Wednesday 27th November 2013
quotequote all
RSoovy4 said:
You're welcome hehe
For what? The same advice twice?? wink lol

RSoovy4

35,829 posts

272 months

Wednesday 27th November 2013
quotequote all
AlexHerts said:
RSoovy4 said:
You're welcome hehe
For what? The same advice twice?? wink lol
hehe

It's a fair cop!

GC8

19,910 posts

191 months

Saturday 30th November 2013
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I too believe that the ombudsman will not support them. In theory you need to go through the insurers complaint procedure before theyll become involved, but they may give you leave to complain immediately and they can also instruct the insurers to pay you compensation to cover whatever expenses you run up as a result.