ANOTHER little insurance misnomer..

[DaveB]

Hi Chaps..

Here's another little insurance tale for you. Question.. are you really insured to drive your car?

My poor old Dad passed away last Tue in the wee hours and has left me his car. I can't find the bloody logbook and have pulled the house apart but thats another matter. My sister was a named driver on his policy for when she was in the UK but fearing it would be null and void after his death, SWMBO got in touch with the RAC who we've been insured with for donkeys years with a view to us taking the car on or getting my sister as a named driver on our insurance.. at least for the time being.
The RAC blokey was very helpful and told Alison that the way they worked, the policy would remain valid as there was a named driver and this has turned out to be true with Dads insurers. It only lasts for 30days from the time I reported it but that's better than a poke in the eye.

While checking to see if we could get my sister on our insurance, the RAC man asked to confirm our details which Alison did then he paused for a while and said that our current insurers didn't insure licensees In effect, we've been driving around uninsured!!!!!!! Why is this asked Alison. We've been with you for years and our details haven't changed. We've been at this address for 10years (The Bull is a good clue to the address wouldn't you say), the car is the same car and all that's happened is that we've got older yet suddenly, we weren't insured. The man very sheepishly replied.. it's because we don't speak to you anymore! We all know the routine.. the renewal comes, we check the details and if everything is good, we do nothing and the renewal goes ahead automatically.

It would have made an interesting test case don't you think should something have happened! So my friends, I ask you the same question. Are you really insured to drive your car??

ATB
DaveB

[airboatr]

Well insured here Dave. Been with the same agent for 24 yrs now although not with the same insurance company. Good rate too, I pay 570.00 roundabout a year and that's a business policy.
My RV runs me 189.00 a year.
Now as to the matter of your insurance company taking your money but effectively not insuring you.... they will give you a refund - right? those




.... Sorry to hear about your father. My most sincere condolences Dave

[nigelb]

Dave, my condolences to you and your family. It is always difficult to loose a parent even if it is anticpated in advance. My thoughts are with you and Ms. Dave!

Nigel²

[DaveG]

Wonder why they consider licensees as uninsurable?

My condolences to you and you family Dave.

[DaveB]

Thanks for the kind thoughts fellas.. much appreciated

DG.. the licensee 'lark' has been in situ for yonks and is one of those things one has to put up with. I guess they think a publican will drink and drive (and I'm sure some do) so it's an excuse to load the premium. I've also been told that in situations where someone might be barred from the pub, the offender will return to do damage to property.. namely the car! I can see this happening in some areas but it's horses for courses. You run a rough pub in a rough area, you expect the consequences

As for our insurance, the RAC man changed it immediately and without cost though I'm still quite angry it could have happened in the first place! My bike insurance is another odd one. I've been with the same company (not the RAC) for 10 years and originally had the Kwak ZX9R insured. I then bought the Triumph Daytona 955i and added that to the policy. I changed it last Tue for a Triumph 675 Daytona and they've asked for a copy of my driving licence, proof of no claims and proof of alarm fitment. The alarm fitment I can live with but why all of a sudden do they want my driving licence and proof of NCB? All I've done is take one bike off and put another bike on! It makes my head itch!!

ATB
DaveB

[Garry Russell]

What happened to innocent until proven guilty

Under British law it is up to them to prove you have, not for you to prove you haven't

It is easy to find evidence of a claim but how the hell do you produce evidence of something that never happened???

[dodger]

Hello,

My condolences to you and you family Dave, i lost both my parents a few years ago and although it was expected ,well what can i say, my thoughts are with you.

Regards,

Roger.

[SkippyBing]

Under British law it is up to them to prove you have, not for you to prove you haven't

Not really, they're not trying to convict you, just check that the details you've given them are correct.
Proving evidence of no claims is easy enough, you just send a copy of the cover note from your current insurer which will say on it 'X years no claims discount applied' or words to that effect. Note they're asking for evidence you haven't made a claim, not that you haven't had an accident which I grant you would be harder to prove.

[DaveB]

Thks Roger Even though you know it's going to happen, it still kinda gets you when it does.

One of Dad's doctors had phoned the pub Mon morning and said he was stable but not going the right way. I didn't think much of it as that's exactly how he'd been on and off for the previous couple of months since his admission. Perhaps the fact a doctor had called should have set alarm bells ringing but we've had 'issues' with the hospital and I'd presumed this was an audible/visible indication of their intent to improve. Never mind. He's in a better place now and that's the important thing

I've had to go out and buy a suit today for the funeral. The wife said it would have to be a 'nice' one as I'll end up being laid out in it:-O How rude!!

Skip.. yes, that's true mate. However, the cover note I always get is from the broker not the underwriter and it's the broker I deal with. Just seemed a bit odd that's all. They've not got back so I guess they have my NCB proof there after all

ATB
DaveB

[Paul K]

Sincerest condolences, Dave.