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Legal assistance/uninsured loss recovery insurance

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 7:33 pm
by KV8
Hi
We have 4 cars and with each insurance policy one is encouraged to add this type of policy for around £30 per car per year. However i note that the policy in each case refers to "the policyholder".

Could we get away therefore with only one personal policy each or just one joint policy?

Must say however that in the instance of 2 virtually identical rammed up the back whilst stationary instances in last 15 years these policies have delivered. All uninsured losses caused by inconvenience, like for like car hire, in one case trauma, and even to a mangled Tesco shop in the boot and cost of a non recoverable full tank of petrol have all been recovered from the third party or their insurers.

Any thoughts?

H

Re: Legal assistance/uninsured loss recovery insurance

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 7:47 pm
by classiclife
I would have thought a multi-car policy with comprehensive insurance would have an umbrella coverage.

Insurance companies are more than happy to tailor requirements to your needs, provided they are selling something at the end of it.

Have you actually asked them the question you have pitched on here ?? Might be a useful step.

Good luck.

Re: Legal assistance/uninsured loss recovery insurance

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 8:18 pm
by KV8
Hi Classiclife

Firstly we are talking 2 classics and 2 moderns.

Secondly no company i have approached is willing to mix modern everyday insurance with classics with agreed value lower mileages etc.on a single policy. Also I found that in both the classic and modern case I could get a better deal by insuring each individually. I thus have 4 policies with 4 different companies. This is possibly due to my having different numbers of named drivers (all over 30 and squeaky clean records) on each car whereas for combined any driver has to be covered on all cars.
My question is that whilst at the moment I am taking out 4 "extra" legal assistance policies could I get a single all car/driver policy for less?

H

Re: Legal assistance/uninsured loss recovery insurance

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 9:26 pm
by classiclife
Okay,

How about halving the policies and run with a multi cover for the classics and likewise for the moderns ??

This may reduce your legal assistance policies to two separate covers and perhaps a financial saving.

Have you floated your initial post via companies such as Carole Nash and Peter James - both are very big brokers, certainly the former.

I'm sure this is not a unique situation, you have pitched; albeit quite interesting in its own right.

Re: Legal assistance/uninsured loss recovery insurance

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 1:18 pm
by Chris_R
In my opinion these "add on policies" are a waste of money for the buyer and a money making device for the seller (i.e. the insurance company). I have never bought one.
They are not often needed and it's really not difficult to claim for uninsured losses if you are not at fault. You simply need to assemble your losses, declare the facts and write a letter (or two) and stand your ground.
I have only twice needed to make claims, once in about 1986 when my car was totally wrecked while parked in a local street and while I was at work and I successfully claimed for 1) a full petrol tank, 2) cost of taxis, 3) cost of a (cheap runaround) replacement car which was immediately needed for on call purposes and in lieu of a hire car 4) cost of all the repairs to that car and 5) postage and photocopying costs plus some other expense I forget now. This was long before the proliferation of these uninsured loss policies and I got the lot, in full. This was in addition to being able to justify (and get) the top "book price" for the value of the car which was at the time some £600 above the trade price which was their initial offer. I think the final agreement was just £25 below the absolute maximum value.
The other time was about 3 years ago when my neighbour reversed into the side of my classic Range Rover while it was parked. The repairs were quoted at £2,600. I didn't even claim to my own insurance, I claimed directly from my neighbour (which means I haven't claimed on any insurance) and he passed the claim to his insurance company. His insurance company stated the "book" value of the vehicle was £1,300 and would write the car off. I refused the offer and gathered and evidenced documentation that showed the market value was over £6k and, quoting the Financial Ombudsman rulings on classic and specialist vehicles, that I would settle on that basis. They had no choice but to settle on my terms and in addition settled an additional £300 to cover my time and inconvenience in having to do this extra work.
My point is that you can do these things yourself if you have the wherewithall and the willingness to pursue them. Plus, I relish taking them on when I know I'm in the right!

Re: Legal assistance/uninsured loss recovery insurance

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 8:21 pm
by KV8
classiclife wrote: Sun Jul 21, 2019 9:26 pm Okay,

How about halving the policies and run with a multi cover for the classics and likewise for the moderns ??

This may reduce your legal assistance policies to two separate covers and perhaps a financial saving.

Have you floated your initial post via companies such as Carole Nash and Peter James - both are very big brokers, certainly the former.

I'm sure this is not a unique situation, you have pitched; albeit quite interesting in its own right.
Sorry please read my previous post! I quote " Also I found that in both the classic and modern case I could get a better deal by insuring each individually. I thus have 4 policies with 4 different companies. " i.e.been there got the T shirt.

Chris
I have also twice fought successful vehicle value settlements to obtain a good "Autotrader" average value payout. Whilst I am sure that one could pursue the additional claims oneself The point is that can I get a blanket policy of this type at £30 p.a. or so as for example i can get a a blanket policy for hire cars covering self and wife and save a fortune on CDW etc. At this price for 4 cars would regard this as well spent against risk of hassle of pursuing personal claim.

Please can responders consider this post in the context of possibly not paying 4 legal assistance premiums not whether I should be combining my individual car policies - this does not work financially for me - and yes I have contacted Carole Nash and Peter James - their premiums are way above other companies I use and with exactly the same Lloyds Underwriters.

Regards
H

H

Re: Legal assistance/uninsured loss recovery insurance

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:15 pm
by classiclife
We were just trying to help !!

Good luck.

Re: Legal assistance/uninsured loss recovery insurance

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 7:49 pm
by KV8
classiclife wrote: Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:15 pm We were just trying to help !!

Good luck.
I apologise if I have caused offence but I find it very frustrating and somewhat offensive when replies suggest you try something you have made it very clear you have already tried. For some reason this seems to occur fairly often on other forums. i can only think this is due to people only "skim" reading ones post?

H