356 Insurance problem

[Ren]

Last year I took out cover for my 356 so I could visit Germany for the Old Timer Grand prix. This was arranged 5 days prior to leaving. I also had te car checked over by two well known 356 garages and the car was given the all clear and a new MOT.

On arrival in Germany I noticed a minor oil pressure problem which I assumed was caused by a new pressure valve from a known USA supplier.

I asked around at the Old Timer but the only advise was to call my insurance Co. help line and get car collected.

I called them but was told they did not have my details on file but would look into it and call me back. They never called me back.

After several calls to them there advise was I caould pay to get the car home and then claim it back using a credit card. I do not have a credit card.

I got the attention of a local ADAC recovery man who looked at the car, more out of his interest rather than a profesional as he had never even touched one let alone be qualified to repair it.

Next day and I still had no calls from my insurance Co. and no sign of help. I had waited almost 24hrs and decided that I would have to try and drive car home with lots of breaks for the car.

I got home almost 12hrs after leaving and had caused damage to the engine. I contacted insurance Co. and complained but had to go to the Ombudsman. He has decided that yes they are at fault and that it was a clerical error. That I should have waited 48hrs for Insurance Co to fix problem. They have awarded me £200 but the damage is in excess of £13,000.

Please warn your members that they should have two policies when going abroad - just incase this should happen to them.

Dave (RHD T-5, sunroof S90)

[Bootsy]

Sorry to hear of this. I always arrange AA recovery cover if I'm going abroad and was most impressed at the level of service experienced by two of our members last year at Le Mans.

£13K! Did it cause additional damage apart from engine failure then?

[cubist]

£13k seems a little steep

Unfortunately sounds as if they're sticking to the letter of the policy which would advise strongly against driving without clearance for eventual repairs... had a similar problem with driving home a diesel Espace with a dying turbo. They advised against it and told me to transport it home and claim my expenses. They then only paid the expenses as i'd driven it back the 40 odd miles home... and i was lucky to get the ex's really!

[Gary71]

Sorry to hear of your problems

I'm with the RAC and paid for additional cover for Europe, £75 if I remember correctly. They have got my car back from Crewe, Yorkshire, Le Mans and the Scottish Highlands so far

They haven't refused to cover me yet which is nice:)

[Ren]

The £13,000 was an estimate from Roger Bray to re-commision the car after one year of fighting the insurance company through the ombudsman service. It would have been cheaper for me to just accept the lesson as a bloody nose rather than fight them. Please be warned sounds like Flavian Bucks Insurance are gits and missdirected me around the houses when I complained, get more cover than you think you will ever need. Even though they have admitted fault I am still left with a massive repair bill.

Never drive your car, just look at it on weekends. If it should go wrong just leave it on the side of the road, call for help take a picture and go. It will break your hart and you will want to try and get your car home but dont move it.

Well I have got new valve springs and a new big bore kit, and expect the engine will need new bearings throughout and more. It still turns but has no power and last time it was started sounded abit growly.

Never done this level of repair. Could do with some help if there is anyone down south please get in contact.

Oh I havent given up yet. I have contacted the Office of Fair Trading. Any solocitors out there that want a side project ha ha ha?

DRen

[Nic B-C]

13k thats ridiculous!!! a couple of k max will get you a full rebuild I would have thought I would still fight for this one though.

Ive recently claimed against my insurance company as they simply couldnt find me on computer no matter what search they did. Luckily I have double cover as I have both greenflag and seperate cover on a multi vehicle policy I ahve for classics.

Weird thing is when i called again when i got home they found me instantly.

Got all my expenses back though and compensation

Most classic policies now include euro cover so you shouldnt need extra cover abroad and as for AA or RAC I wuoldnt touch them with a bargepole bloody crooks!!!!

[912uk]

You are right AA and RAC come out with terrible prices like double!! what a mark up about 200%

Dave I did get the jist of what happened I have said to you If we can get the space I am more than happy to help out with a rebuild as I am learning lots on these.. I have an engine up at Andy's place now having all the machine work done ready for the rebuild. This will be the second one I have done ( John helped with the first, I wish I was there for more of it. ) So this will be my first on my own.. Happy to help out a fellow owner in the same boat as me.. eg has money but not £5000+ to get the pro's to do it. ( i wish i did have the money but where's the fun in that.. )

I have used Andy to a huge amount of the ground work and I do think it's money well spent but already it's sub £1000. But it's about getting what you start with right in the first place i feel.

Work done

Crank regrind
Rods resized
Checking of crank for cracks ( seamed not a techincal way to do it ring ding )
Balance of crank with the Flywheel
Clean case with his new toy ( I have to say it does look good ) vapour blaster ( must send up my generator stand.)
Drill and tapping ( top secrete can't say what for..)
Oh and the expensive bit.. the heads... vapour blast and drill out the old guides and make and fit new ones.

just under £1000 I would recommend this to people if they want to have a go ( or have no option ) then you should be starting in the right place..

Dave you could just pop in a VW engine to keep the car going for now.Again happy to help

[Ren]

Thanks for the offer, I have just purchased a new set of big bore P&Cs and have a new set of springs. Im looking to move soon and will have my own space to tear down the engine so expect a call then m8.

I hope that I didnt do to much damage getting the car back. I tried asking just about every one at the oldtimer for advice or help. I even spoke to some one at Transend and almost got a lift back in there big trallier.

B****rd Insurance Co. (Sounds Like Flavien Lux) They even delayed things by asking me to deal with them direct and not the Ombudsman but after getting estimates said no way deal wit hthe Ombudsman.

If they are getting one person a day purchasing this type of cover but never pass on the details, the chances, and they work with chances and percentages, of an expensive and cherished car like ours breaking down and claiming is small so is worth them never passing on the details and keeping the money if they only get a fine of £200.

This is not fair.

The Office of Fair Traiding have been informed of this and will keep an eye on Lux.

If there is a 356 friendly solicitor who would review my papers, I would be most greatful.

[Ren]

Ha.... I just noticed the add at the top of the page. I would avoid them like the plague.

[912uk]

B****rd Insurance Co. (Sounds Like Flavien Lux) They even delayed things by asking me to deal with them direct and not the Ombudsman but after getting estimates said no way deal wit hthe Ombudsman.

.

arrr my friends ... Yes I can say I rate them as cowboys and girls playing at insurance companies..

I got in to trouble with Tom ( Boosty ) over voicing the " Make it up as we go along insurance company !!!! " so nothings changed there then...

Check out the net AF is not well liked and the word is getting about..

I had a V6 Corrado with them I was 26 and every one else quoted me £1000 to insure it they quoted me £300. Did think it was odd... I never got a proper cert and I just wounder if they had got the insurance by bodging the paper work... eg 40 year old , living with parents in the small town of Isle of sheppy with population of 4 and no motorways.. good job I never had to claim!!!

[Nic B-C]

HIC were very good at not issuing certificates as well