19 replies to this topic

[AndyMiniMad.]

So today I twatted my van in the snow..,.Not to bad and only me involved but repair bill is still over £1500..Roads not gritted and Police have advised I make a complaint to the Highways agency as they themselves had requested the road be gritted on two occasions prior to my crash..Anyway I called my insurance company and informed them of my accident, they then asked me a million or so questions regarding my policy...I asked them why they were wanting to know some of the stuff and they just said it was "policy" in the event of a claim..
So as it turns out my van does not come with a tow bar as standard and despite me telliing the insurance that it was fitted to the vehicle when new (April this year), they have bumped up my excess to £850 from £350 and told me I am lucky to be able to make a claim at all..Whats going on? Are they just trying to get out of paying up or is a tow bar on a van really a modification..It was fitted two weeks after I bought the van brand new...because they had none in stock at the time of delivery.

Does anyone know if I can complain about this hike in my excess? It seems to me that they are just trying to get me to pay more for the repairs..

[conlad]

So theyve ramped it up more than double...

because of a tow bar?!?!?!

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?

[DAVEY_C]

yes a towbar is a modification.... did you get a proposal list since fitting the towbar stating it was on your policy??... ask them for a detail of whatwas included on your policy previously i supose

[AndyMiniMad.]

I suppose I should tell them about my bluetooth handsfree kit as well then....This insurance malarky is becoming crazy...I mean how can a tow bar on a van be classed as modifying your vehicle...and its not like I hadnt told them it was fitted....they just bumped up the excess because ive made a claim...Ive checked the policy and its not listed as a modification on there...but as all the calls are recorded I got them to check the recording of me telling them it was on the van and the guy on the other end saying "dont worry that wont affect your premium"..

[j-b_2009]

have been looking at insuring with direct line... please keep this topic updated as im gonna hold off now!

[jaydee]

I've had nothing but troubles with direct line years ago (2006?)
They'll never see me again.

[j-b_2009]

quite glad i didnt rush in then!

[AVV IT]

This insurance malarky is becoming crazy...I mean how can a tow bar on a van be classed as modifying your vehicle.....

....because its presence can make a massive difference in the event of a collision and subsequent claim. A towbar is usually bolted directly into the chassis meaning that if struck, any impact forces are transferred directly into the chassis itself, as opposed to being absorbed by a smaller and cheaper to reapir/replace superficial component that is more likely to just crumple (i.e a rear bumper or panel.) The result is potentially more significant damage to the vehicle and whatever it has struck, causing structural damage as opposed to merely superficial. In short a bigger claim and payout for the insurer.

[Bungle]

so you say the insurance company knew you had a tow bar

if this is so ask them why they are now charging extra for a modification they already knew about

[AndyMiniMad.]

so you say the insurance company knew you had a tow bar

if this is so ask them why they are now charging extra for a modification they already knew about

Thats exactly the case yes...Im waiting for them to review the recordings and get back to me...They say they have no notification that it was fitted.


AVV IT....
As for the towbar making things worse in the event of an accident...I can see your point, but would I not need to be reversing at a hell of a speed to bend the chassis....and if I was hit from the rear would that not be someone elses fault and not affect my insurance...

Edited by AndyMiniMad., 13 December 2011 - 05:28 PM.

[Bungle]

you can also ask them for all paperwork and recordings under the data protection act to do with you and your insurance policy

them maybe you could find the info they can't

[AndyMiniMad.]

you can also ask them for all paperwork and recordings under the data protection act to do with you and your insurance policy

them maybe you could find the info they can't

Thanks Bungle I'll call them back and quote the data protection act.?

Im all to aware of this act as I work in the CCTV industry..

[j-b_2009]

wouldnt it be the freedom of information act?

[AndyMiniMad.]

Not for recorded info...be it visual or audio...But I suppose it does comes under the freedom of information act based on the fact that you are entitled to ask for it.

Edited by AndyMiniMad., 13 December 2011 - 05:51 PM.

[AVV IT]

AVV IT....
As for the towbar making things worse in the event of an accident...I can see your point, but would I not need to be reversing at a hell of a speed to bend the chassis....and if I was hit from the rear would that not be someone elses fault and not affect my insurance...

"White van man" reversing at high speed....... you're right that could never happen!!

It's not just reversing though, if you were to loose control at speed and the vehicle were to "spin" with the rear colliding with another object, the presence of the tow bar could also cause damage to the chassis .

...and if I was hit from the rear would that not be someone elses fault and not affect my insurance...

Yes in the majority of cases the rear most party is usually at fault in the event of a rear end collision, but in certain circumstances that might not always be the case. Also your insurer has to account for the fact that you might be struck by an uninsured driver and therefore there could still be a claim in which they have to pay out, even though you were not at fault yourself.