Car Insurance Quote. Are you for real?

torrevieja

I rang a certain insurance company today and was asking there rep was i insured to drive another car , she went away to check it out but then came back and said i am but my car is only worth 3000, i cant drive another car over this value ?

Is this true or was i put through to the cake shop next Door?

coylemj

If you are insured to drive other cars it will say so on your cert.

I wouldn't rely on anything that a call agent tells me over the phone to the extent that I wouldn't dream of phoning and asking the question that you did. What happens if you get told something that simply isn't true? The answer is that the insurance company will fall back on the old reliable - 'the policy document rules' so don't rely on anything they tell you on the phone which is another way of saying don't phone in the first place.

There are different rules about driving other cars but they usually relate to restrictions on fully comp. cover when driving a borrowed car if you have this extended level of cover. It sounds in your case like they are saying that they will pay no more than €3,000 if you borrow someone else's car and damage it in a crash. Third party cover to drive other cars is all or nothing, I've never seen it qualified by the value of the car.

After your last renewal they should have sent you a detailed description of the cover you've paid for, check that alongside your cert.

ironclaw

coylemj wrote: »

What happens if you get told something that simply isn't true? The answer is that the insurance company will fall back on the old reliable - 'the policy document rules' so don't rely on anything they tell you on the phone which is another way of saying don't phone in the first place.

This is why you should always repeat your question. Calls to Insurance Companies are recorded and must be kept. I'd be fairly confident you could rock up in court if they said something that wasn't true.

All said and done however, a quick breeze of your document and booklet will be a better measure.

thebiglad

That could not possibly be correct as it applies to damage to other parties - they could not enforce that as third party liability is unlimited and they cannot expose their policyholders to unlimited personal liability after €3k, anyhow they would have to pay it 1st and somehow recover from you.

Don't AA offer Comprehensive cover on any car you choose to drive now (or at least someone is) perhaps under such circumstances it would be reasonable that the cover for the car you are driving is limited to the insured value of your own car.

As has been posted already, call them again, you'll doubtless get a different agent and they will either give you the correct answer or explain better.

coylemj

ironclaw wrote: »

This is why you should always repeat your question. Calls to Insurance Companies are recorded and must be kept. I'd be fairly confident you could rock up in court if they said something that wasn't true.

Good luck finding a lawyer to agree with that. A call agent giving a reckless and wrong answer to a query is not going to alter the Ts & Cs of a motor policy because there is a clause along these lines in every motor policy document....

This policy booklet, the information you have provided and the schedule form the contract of insurance between you (the policyholder) and us (Aviva Insurance Limited).

That gets them off the hook if an employee gives wrong information over the phone.

torrevieja

so really when you ring up what person should i be asking for to answer my query?

torrevieja

He was adamant about what your car is worth and not driving a car dearer than that price?

doesnt mention price on Cert

Stheno

torrevieja wrote: »

He was adamant about what your car is worth and not driving a car dearer than that price?

doesnt mention price on Cert

Have you checked your policy document? I'm fairly certain the value of the car that you've insured is listed in the policy document

Liam McPoyle

torrevieja wrote: »

I rang a certain insurance company today and was asking there rep was i insured to drive another car , she went away to check it out but then came back and said i am but my car is only worth 3000, i cant drive another car over this value ?

Is this true or was i put through to the cake shop next Door?

Ive never seen a restriction put on value, the general rule for DoC is that you would be covered to drive a similar or smaller model car eg if you have 1l Micra you wouldn't be covered to drive a 3l beemer.

coylemj wrote: »

If you are insured to drive other cars it will say so on your cert.

I wouldn't rely on anything that a call agent tells me over the phone to the extent that I wouldn't dream of phoning and asking the question that you did. What happens if you get told something that simply isn't true? The answer is that the insurance company will fall back on the old reliable - 'the policy document rules' so don't rely on anything they tell you on the phone which is another way of saying don't phone in the first place.

There are different rules about driving other cars but they usually relate to restrictions on fully comp. cover when driving a borrowed car if you have this extended level of cover. It sounds in your case like they are saying that they will pay no more than €3,000 if you borrow someone else's car and damage it in a crash. Third party cover to drive other cars is all or nothing, I've never seen it qualified by the value of the car.

After your last renewal they should have sent you a detailed description of the cover you've paid for, check that alongside your cert.

Most insurers will only give DoC on a third party only basis ie they will only cover the person you crash into, the damage to the borrowed car you are driving is not covered.

There are a couple of insurers that offer comp cover when DoC's but they are the exception rather than the rule but as I said above, the rules (that Ive seen anyway) in general only relate to similar vehicle types.

Vic_08

torrevieja wrote: »

so really when you ring up what person should i be asking for to answer my query?

Ask for a copy of your policy if you do not already have one, if you do then read that. If you don't understand it then post the relevant part up here and you will get your answer soon enough.

As already said it is pointless relying on a phone conversation, the cert and policy doc is the one and only basis of your contract with the company.

Phone agents are often completely ignorant about the most basic facts of their companies products and general motoring issues. I had a very stupid conversation recently with one who was telling me they couldn't insure my car without a NCT, despite the fact that the car is under 4 years old.

torrevieja

Vic_08 wrote: »

Ask for a copy of your policy if you do not already have one, if you do then read that. If you don't understand it then post the relevant part up here and you will get your answer soon enough.

As already said it is pointless relying on a phone conversation, the cert and policy doc is the one and only basis of your contract with the company.

Phone agents are often completely ignorant about the most basic facts of their companies products and general motoring issues. I had a very stupid conversation recently with one who was telling me they couldn't insure my car without a NCT, despite the fact that the car is under 4 years old.

But it seems to me that a lot of people don't Realise that there not fully insured if Driving another Car ...

coylemj

torrevieja wrote: »

But it seems to me that a lot of people don't Realise that there not fully insured if Driving another Car ...

Are you the policyholder? Your cert should state if you are covered to drive other cars.

challengemaster

Business Cat wrote: »

Ive never seen a restriction put on value, the general rule for DoC is that you would be covered to drive a similar or smaller model car eg if you have 1l Micra you wouldn't be covered to drive a 3l beemer.

I've never seen that stated in any policy or booklet.

Stheno

challengemaster wrote: »

I've never seen that stated in any policy or booklet.

I've heard limits on value recently on radio ads promoting open driving

blindside88

coylemj wrote: »

If you are insured to drive other cars it will say so on your cert.

I wouldn't rely on anything that a call agent tells me over the phone to the extent that I wouldn't dream of phoning and asking the question that you did. What happens if you get told something that simply isn't true? The answer is that the insurance company will fall back on the old reliable - 'the policy document rules' so don't rely on anything they tell you on the phone which is another way of saying don't phone in the first place.

There are different rules about driving other cars but they usually relate to restrictions on fully comp. cover when driving a borrowed car if you have this extended level of cover. It sounds in your case like they are saying that they will pay no more than €3,000 if you borrow someone else's car and damage it in a crash. Third party cover to drive other cars is all or nothing, I've never seen it qualified by the value of the car.

After your last renewal they should have sent you a detailed description of the cover you've paid for, check that alongside your cert.

If you are told something on a recorded call by an agent of the insurance company this information is legally binding. As far as you are concerned you are not talking to "joe blogs" you are talking to the insurance company.

Source: 5 years working in the industry in sales and compliance and seeing numerous payouts due to agent error, also having completed professional qualifications in same

Special Circumstances

blindside88 wrote: »

If you are told something on a recorded call by an agent of the insurance company this information is legally binding. As far as you are concerned you are not talking to "joe blogs" you are talking to the insurance company.

Source: 5 years working in the industry in sales and compliance and seeing numerous payouts due to agent error, also having completed professional qualifications in same

"Third party extension only applies if the other car is insured"
"Thou shalt only be insured on a Wednesday if carrying ducks to a fair"
Which of these is a favourite of the call centre staff, which is legally binding. Which of these doesn't feature in any policy I've ever seen.

It's not an either/or choice btw.

blindside88

Special Circumstances wrote: »

"Third party extension only applies if the other car is insured"
"Thou shalt only be insured on a Wednesday if carrying ducks to a fair"
Which of these is a favourite of the call centre staff, which is legally binding. Which of these doesn't feature in any policy I've ever seen.

It's not an either/or choice btw.

My point is if you have third party extension and you are told on a recorded call that you have Comp driving of other cars and subsequently have a accident they are obliged to payout based on the information provided

Special Circumstances

blindside88 wrote: »

My point is if you have third party extension and you are told on a recorded call that you have Cono driving of other cars and subsequently have a accident they are obliged to payout based on the information provided

What if the car had passed its 15th birthday and massacred a whole village? As is their wont, apparently.

blindside88

Special Circumstances wrote: »

What if the car had passed its 15th birthday and massacred a whole village? As is their wont, apparently.

What is your point exactly?

Riverireland

Mine was under 300 5 years ago, latest quote close to €700, no claims. Another bloody rip off.

Special Circumstances

blindside88 wrote: »

What is your point exactly?

We have a whole other thread dedicated to insurance industry mouthpieces trying to justify completely incredible assertions, mainly with the subtext that the responsibility is to generate profit for shareholders and not to give a fair deal to the customers legally obliged to purchase the product - you mean to say insurers never try to wriggle out of these situations where a phone call differs from the legal documentation? Or that adding spurious conditions over the phone doesn't often work in their favour ?

blindside88

Special Circumstances wrote: »

We have a whole other thread dedicated to insurance industry mouthpieces trying to justify completely incredible assertions, mainly with the subtext that the responsibility is to generate profit for shareholders and not to give a fair deal to the customers legally obliged to purchase the product - you mean to say insurers never try to wriggle out of these situations where a phone call differs from the legal documentation? Or that adding spurious conditions over the phone doesn't often work in their favour ?

The op asked for advise and was given it. What is your background or is it all info from lads down the pub? Of course insurance companies try not to pay out on claims and make as much as they can as does every industry (motor trade, hospitality, hospitals etc) I actually no longer work in the industry but can still offer advise to help the op out as I am professionally qualified.

MugMugs

This is a new one to me. Can't see how the value of the vehicle insured has any relevance to third party risk. Have you read your insurance certificate? What does that say

Special Circumstances wrote: »

We have a whole other thread dedicated to insurance industry mouthpieces trying to justify completely incredible assertions, mainly with the subtext that the responsibility is to generate profit for shareholders and not to give a fair deal to the customers legally obliged to purchase the product - you mean to say insurers never try to wriggle out of these situations where a phone call differs from the legal documentation? Or that adding spurious conditions over the phone doesn't often work in their favour ?

Got a link for this thread dedicated to insurance industry mouthpieces trying to justify their completely incredible assertions?

Special Circumstances

MugMugs wrote: »

Got a link for this thread dedicated to insurance industry mouthpieces trying to justify their completely incredible assertions?

Enjoy!
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057466101

The summary is "we have data to support every assertion, but you can't see it, and even if we didn't have data to support this sure aren't we worth it - what are ye gonna do about it anyway beehatches, it's not like you can legally or morally drive without our product"

frozenfrozen

under vehicles, or classes of vehicles, the use of which is covered
I have the vehicle bearing the index mark and reg number xxxx (my car)
Any motor car being driven by the insured, provided such vehicle does not belong to him and is not hired to him under a hire purchase agreement or under a contract of lease hire or contract hire. Provided such vehicle has not been stolen or obtained by violence or taken without the consent of the owner or other lawful authority

Can't find anything else saying exactly what I can or can't drive, so is it fair game then for ANY loaned car?

only other special conditions I see are automatic temporary substitution cover which is any private car up to 2000cc while 'my car' is being repaired. Although that is not written on the cert of insurance, just overleaf on the page for how much I paid.

UnknownSpecies

Different t&cs might depend who you're with. I'm with Aviva and my DOC benefit doesn't have a restriction on engine size or value. I asked them over the phone could I drive a 2.5L Hilux while insured on my 1.1L 106 and they told me that's fine, 3rd party extension applies as long as the car isn't in my name.

To Elland Back

dorgasm wrote: »

Different t&cs might depend who you're with. I'm with Aviva and my DOC benefit doesn't have a restriction on engine size or value. I asked them over the phone could I drive a 2.5L Hilux while insured on my 1.1L 106 and they told me that's fine, 3rd party extension applies as long as the car isn't in my name.

Be very careful. Some insurers restrict it to driving of other cars, others give you driving of other vehicles. What way is it worded on your cert and what way is the vehicle registered?

moleyv

dorgasm wrote:

Different t&cs might depend who you're with. I'm with Aviva and my DOC benefit doesn't have a restriction on engine size or value. I asked them over the phone could I drive a 2.5L Hilux while insured on my 1.1L 106 and they told me that's fine, 3rd party extension applies as long as the car isn't in my name.

I'm with them too, but last time I asked, 2 months ago, I was told 2000cc limit. I was also told it needed to be nct'd. I told him it didn't need an NCT as it was a 141, he didn't understand.....

I was waiting a while for someone to pick up, after a good while I was connected to that guy. I'm not sure he was from the Irish call centre given the lack of understanding of not needing an NCT.

UnknownSpecies

To Elland Back wrote: »

Be very careful. Some insurers restrict it to driving of other cars, others give you driving of other vehicles. What way is it worded on your cert and what way is the vehicle registered?

At the time I specifically asked about a Hilux jeep. Probably worth my while to call them and ask again.

moleyv wrote: »

I'm with them too, but last time I asked, 2 months ago, I was told 2000cc limit. I was also told it needed to be nct'd. I told him it didn't need an NCT as it was a 141, he didn't understand.....

I was waiting a while for someone to pick up, after a good while I was connected to that guy. I'm not sure he was from the Irish call centre given the lack of understanding of not needing an NCT.

I asked well over a year ago, so as I said above, probably worth ringing up again.

Usually I'd say common sense prevails with stuff like NCT on a 141 but with this crowd, it's definitely worth the hassle you went to.

Carhartt

Just got my renewal from Axa.

Last years policy Fully Comp - 0 NCB - Learner Permit €1800 -

This year Fully Comp - 1 yr NCB - Full Licence €1500

Haven't lifted the phone yet, checked online: No Nonsense €980 & Alliance €990.

Will be interesting what Axa come up with when I ring.