Perils of being honest with insurers

Cant believe how ridiculous being honest is for heavens sake, I called Sainsbury's finance and updated my car insurance to include my mate Steve as a co-driver and inform them that I would be driving in Europe. When asked why I informed them that I was taking part in the H4H European Rally in aid of our wounded service personnel. "Please hold while I check with our technical department" 25 min later, "sorry to keep you waiting I have been arguing with the Technical Department" wait for it!!!! "they have reviewed the H4H web Site and as you will be going off road they have DECLINED to insure you for the trip as going off road is too higher risk, oh and by-the-way if you wish to insure with us next year we will decline as you do voluntary work for the Sussex 4X4 Response and that might also require going off road.

So let me get this straight, both of these are charitable non profit events, but are not worthy of consideration because it will involve going off road in a Land Rover. What the hell do they think its designed and built to do. Also driving in extreme weather and in Europe on the wrong side of the road is LOW RISK, but god forbid we should drive on anything other than tarmac.

So Dear J. Sainsbury, go stuff your selves if you cant be bothered to take the slightest risk if I drive on the grass I will find someone who will and I will not be shopping with you nor will I be using your fuel.

YOU DISGUST ME. WE ARE ALL DOING THIS FOR A FANTASTIC CAUSE SHOW SOME COMPASSION.

Does anyone know of anyone with the same trouble???????? or who will insure me, also have we all informed our insurers??? if your with Sainsbury Finance don't bother CHANGE

No probs here(I quess the company being a large insurer helps ) Try the Landrover specialists they are willing to help!

Ever since I bought my first Landy, I was insured by 'Land Rover Insurance' underwritten by Sun Alliance. No claims etc. Just before the 2010 rally I rang them to get a 'green card' ie extend my full comp policy for europe. Again asked why and where are you going, Explained about the rally. RALLY...Horror. We don't cover rallying. spent ages explaining the finer details of our trip,gave them the web site etc. referred to senior underwriter who wouldn't budge,so cancelled there and then and reinsured through RAC with no problems. Not the cheapest but good service
Tony

Thanks folks I will be shopping around tomorrow (obviously not with them)

Hiya,

I'm with Adrian flux who use equity redstar,

No problems what so ever, all my mods, 4x4 response and the rally all covered! The wording to use is touring assemble or touring holiday, not many insurers will cover you "off road" as you are being insured to drive the car on the road, not up and down muddy banks!

However Adrian flux have been awesome ever since I've used them and are always happy to help a land rover owner! Even get a discount if you're part of a club/forum!

Dan

I'm with Adrian Flux/Equity RedStar as well, I insure my modified Disco 1 and Series 1 with them.

They have been very good with modifications and overseas travel, they do a discount for being a member of an owners club too.

As Dan says, Non Speed Touring Assembly is the phrase to use, only after 'I'm going to France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany on holiday this year'

we are with sureterm direct and always told them what mods have been done to the disco and where i am going. the insurancs covers you for green lanes and off road.

Chris - Noel Dazely are insurance brokers and were one of our partners in 2010. They know exactly what we do ie a touring assembly with some off road elements and there are no issues whatsoever.

If you call them tell them you were recommended re the H4H 4x4 rally - http://www.noeldazely.co.uk/ 01276 25996

As with some of the others, I'm with Adrian Flux.

First quote was for a standard truck, then advised them of the long list of mods - no increase in premium - the only thing that increases the premium is engine performance mods.

Then advised them that the truck is used for Green Laning (that's NOT off road - green lanes are public rights of way, roads or byways maintained by the councils). Answer - yep, no problem, no premium increase and a note added to my file.

Then asked about off road (eg pay and play or adventure overland expedition type drives on private land) - No - not included - but could be for an additional premium - 100% increase !!!!!! So I self insure and take the risk as I don't pay and play often (got bored with them !!!)

NEVER use the word rally in any discussion with insurance companies - this paints a picture of competition events - again rediculous premiums - as said "Non speed touring event/assembly" will not raise any alarms, or shouldn't.

As far as driving across Europe on this event is concerned - it's a holiday passing through several countries - just make sure the overseas European cover (what used to be a Green Card) is in place (usually small print at the bottom on one the back of your certificate).

I am with Lancaster, insured for off road, green laning as well as normal tarmac. Never had a problem with them

I did pay a bit more for my engine tune but not a massive amount, the club discount is quite good with adrian flux from what i remember - also dropped having fitted the skytag!

Dan

Thanks for all the great and much appreciated and now sorted. For info when asked why I was in Europe I informed them that it was involving the Help 4 Heroes 4x4 European Rally silly me and did not see a problem as they had already agreed last October that I could do the Sussex 4x4 Response. When they asked for further information silly me pointed them to the rally website which had lovely info and pictures. Adrian Flux and NFU are when asked happy to insure for this at no extra cost.

Still all sorted and looking forward to the start of the newly named

2012 holiday passing through several countries Non Speed Touring Assembly going to France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany.

Bit long for the stickers and banners

CP wrote:

Adrian Flux and NFU are when asked happy to insure for this at no extra cost.

CP... interested to get more details re NFU... we have had two cars insured with them for a goodly number of years and though they are generally 4x4/mods friendly... dead set against insuring me for the rally.

Were you simply getting a quote or did you insure with them?

Thanks

Frank

When will insurance companys wake up to the fact that a 4x4 by nature is designed and expected to drive away from tarmac as well as on it. In fact it is quite often safer to drive off road than on it.

In fact it is quite often safer to drive off road than on it.


Mmmm - depends who's behind the wheel

I have been insured with NFU and although a £20 premium hike for chipping etc, all the other modifications were note and no extra charge. Insured all over Europe and no issues with the touring assembly/treasure hunt. They expect 4x4s to go off road as that is what the farming community do most days.

Magpie wrote:

In fact it is quite often safer to drive off road than on it.


Mmmm - depends who's behind the wheel

Very true, but we must assume we are mostly sane or is it insane members of the public that are going to enjoy a gentle amble across Europe (we hope and pray)

landie68rover wrote:

Magpie wrote:

In fact it is quite often safer to drive off road than on it.


Mmmm - depends who's behind the wheel

Very true, but we must assume we are mostly sane or is it insane members of the public that are going to enjoy a gentle amble across Europe (we hope and pray)

Think it's got to be insane

Thinking is dangerous and likely to incur penalty points if noted by our helpful caring considerate organisers

landie68rover wrote:

Thinking is dangerous and likely to incur penalty points if noted by our helpful caring considerate organisers

Think I'm safe from penalty points cos the helpful, kind, considerate, compassionate and caring organiser is asleep with the cat!!

Think it's got to be insane
And for those who say they are sane, please have there certificate reaby for inspection

CP wrote:

Cant believe how ridiculous being honest is for heavens sake, I called Sainsbury's finance and updated my car insurance to include my mate Steve as a co-driver and inform them that I would be driving in Europe. When asked why I informed them that I was taking part in the H4H European Rally in aid of our wounded service personnel. "Please hold while I check with our technical department" 25 min later, "sorry to keep you waiting I have been arguing with the Technical Department" wait for it!!!! "they have reviewed the H4H web Site and as you will be going off road they have DECLINED to insure you for the trip as going off road is too higher risk, oh and by-the-way if you wish to insure with us next year we will decline as you do voluntary work for the Sussex 4X4 Response and that might also require going off road.

So let me get this straight, both of these are charitable non profit events, but are not worthy of consideration because it will involve going off road in a Land Rover. What the hell do they think its designed and built to do. Also driving in extreme weather and in Europe on the wrong side of the road is LOW RISK, but god forbid we should drive on anything other than tarmac.

So Dear J. Sainsbury, go stuff your selves if you cant be bothered to take the slightest risk if I drive on the grass I will find someone who will and I will not be shopping with you nor will I be using your fuel.

YOU DISGUST ME. WE ARE ALL DOING THIS FOR A FANTASTIC CAUSE SHOW SOME COMPASSION.

Does anyone know of anyone with the same trouble???????? or who will insure me, also have we all informed our insurers??? if your with Sainsbury Finance don't bother CHANGE

im insured by these guys and (apart from it being a bit pricy) the done mine for me no problem??

John

Sainsbury were fine for the last 10 months even allowed me to use vehicle for 4x4 response. However problems started when call centre refer me to technical because of the off road element not europe or adding co-driver or rally/treasure hunt. the problem was when they looked up the rally website they saw the pics. which is when they said NON.

Then they would not insure for the rest as they could not differentiate between damage on road or off road.

Its up to you whether you check with them but if you do be prepared to find alternative.

Try the AA but phone don't go online , the are ok with sussex responce, i also need to add my co-driver but that was £50 last year.

Im with Fluxy. My insurance covers me both off road and green laning so long as its non competitive.

Adding my co driver cost £54 for the event. I started to name the countries I was passing through and the response was "Ok. We'll just put Europe down .. " lol

There doesnt seem to be any consistency with insurers. One company having different rules for differing people with the same vehicles and cover.


Then again, its probably because I drive a JEEP. As they are an off road vehicle ...