SORN...Beware insurance cover

[jacko]

Phoned my insurance company this afternoon to tell them to let my E30 policy lapse in 3 weeks time. The nice chap asked me why, so I informed him I will be selling it due to lack of use.

His next question was, 'is the vehicle sorned at the moment', to which I replied yes, since last month.

The nice chap was no more! He started reading me the riot act, he said my policy would be cancelled imediately because they do not give cover to a sorned vehicle if it is not garaged, even though my policy states it is parked on my drive, and I would have to pay 40 quid cancellation fee!

My response, "wind your neck in fella, I am not giving you 40 quid to cancel my policy that runs out in three weeks anyway".

He tells me I don't have a choice and reminds me the conversation is being recorded. I suggested "stuff it, i'll go and get it taxed again," but he doesn't like that and tells me my insurance could be voided by admitting the car was sorned and didn't notify them!

My next question was, "Suppose I wasn't selling the car, and I was having trouble getting it through the MOT, the tax runs out and I have no garage, so I sorn it to be a good boy, Am I supposed to let you know?" Yes was the answer.

At that point I was feeling quite beaten because lets face it, I aint no expert in insurance, I asked to speak to his superviser to clarify matters at which point i was then told "we will overlook it this time and just let it lapse in three weeks.

My reply, "You'll overlook it this time! Damn right, and there won't be a next time"

Rant over.

[Jim320i]

Seems a bit stupid... They wont cover your car if its off the road? Surely they would prefer that as you have less chance of crashing it... Maybe you should have called them at the end of each day just to let them know its parked up for the night

[Kedge]

Do these scummers even earn commision on cancellation fee's these days then? Can be my only assumption on this one, he must have been out to get something since you weren't renewing.

Surely something like this would be listed in your policy T&Cs?

[jacko]

Do these scummers even earn commision on cancellation fee's these days then? Can be my only assumption on this one, he must have been out to get something since you weren't renewing.

Surely something like this would be listed in your policy T&Cs?

I did say to him where does it say that in my policy and he was a little cagey, he said it is there though.

I can't even be arsed to look now cos I know i'll just wind myself up again!

[E30BeemerLad]

Do you mind saying which scumbag, sorry I mean insurer, this was?

[Z3I]

Please name and shame this agent!

[capri_rob]

This is bizarre. Surely a vehicle thats SORN'd and parked on the drive ( where the insurer knows its parked anyway ) represents less of a risk than one thats taxed and in daily use ?

Mine is on SORN at present and locked in the garage ( where the insurers know it is parked overnight ) - I havent told them and don't intend to !

[jacko]

Do you mind saying which scumbag, sorry I mean insurer, this was?

The name is the same backwards or forwards! I'm sure you'll all get that.......

[capri_rob]

AA ? or Axa ?

[e30kev]

Tit?

[Z3I]

This is bizarre. Surely a vehicle thats SORN'd and parked on the drive ( where the insurer knows its parked anyway ) represents less of a risk than one thats taxed and in daily use ?

Mine is on SORN at present and locked in the garage ( where the insurers know it is parked overnight ) - I havent told them and don't intend to !

Mine too, and Ive never read any requirement that I should inform them so.

If it was me, I'd escalate this to the insurance ombudmismen (spelling!)

The conversation you reported is quite threatening.

[jacko]

AA ? or Axa ?

Ha ha forgot about those! It is Aviva for the record.

[jacko]

This is bizarre. Surely a vehicle thats SORN'd and parked on the drive ( where the insurer knows its parked anyway ) represents less of a risk than one thats taxed and in daily use ?

Mine is on SORN at present and locked in the garage ( where the insurers know it is parked overnight ) - I havent told them and don't intend to !

Mine too, and Ive never read any requirement that I should inform them so.

If it was me, I'd escalate this to the insurance ombudmismen (spelling!)

The conversation you reported is quite threatening.

I'm not going to make waves as I'm still insured with them on another car and its a very good price.

It wasn't threatening so much as direct and precise.

[Barx325i]

It's got naff all to do with the insurance company if it's declared SORN - this particular scumbag is blatantly trying to bum you for a cancellation fee which is absolutely disgusting. Unless this clause is written in your terms and conditions, which I very much doubt, I'd be tempted to take it further.

You should (you really should) ask for a recording of that phone conversation and then send it to trading standards.

You have the right to a copy of that call, it's written in the data protection act. If they somehow say they don't have a copy, it's a clear sign they stink - name and shame!

Insurance companies are bad - but then they do have to deal with the lowlife scammers & crash for cash scummers of this world.

[kolee]

Insurance companies are there so you can have a piece of paper to show the nice officer inspecting your bald tires.

Never tell them anything! Unless you write your car off and have an agreed value of 5k + its almost never worth claiming given the price hikes on future premiums.

[adz79]

I told my insurance company about the car being off road and not running, the guy never said a word and was trying to keep me on as a customer instead of me canceling, which had been my intention!

Many many companies these days are lying and tricking people into paying illegitimate fee's. You definately need to make sure you know your rights and the law whenever dealing with any company (or robbing council's), or you will end up paying without needing to....