European Insurance Cover……BE WARNED.

[Huyrob]

In Spain at the moment and been rear- ended in slow lane of a dual carriage way by someone. Police called etc.Police agreed total fault of 3rd party.
My Insurance Is via Adrian Flux ( intermediary ) and the underwriter is “ Markerstudy iInsurance”
Just a massive heads up , the accident was on Thursday 9th June Adrian Flux have done what they can but are exasperated that they cannot get hold of Anyone at Markerstudy to contact me. I’m limping my way back from South Spain to Bilbao and Adrian Flux cannot even give me a number for recovery or any other help.
ALSO
It would appear that with many insurers eg via Adrian Flux, that your 12 month policy ( comprehensive ) may appear to include European cover however to ensure cover you have to notify Adrian Flux BEFORE you travel, obtain the underwriters consent and then pay any additional premium required by them. Failure to do so leaves you only with basic Legal cover ie 3rd party. So essentially AF sell a policy which “ includes “ only the option to possibly get European cover ( subject to agreement ) and then only if you are prepared to meet the additional premium.
Just a heads up to anybody using Adrian Flux, Carole Nash or any other intermediary putting their business to “ Markerstudy insurers “ …….you can’t choose your underwriter yet Adrian Flux and others seem to think it ok to use an underwriter whose score on Trustpilot is 1. And whose breakdown of satisfaction shows 4% happy and 96% saying awful. Just a warning.
DONT USE ANY BROKER THAT PASSES THEIR BUSINESS TO THIS APPALLING COMPANY.
You may feel that you are insured but look at Trustpilot, you are covered so far as the law is concerned but…….try sorting your claim out.

 

[70-CA-Panel]

Oh man I’m really sorry to see the damage and hear what trouble this has caused! Thank you for the heads up! I don’t have any European trips planned but good to know, I always thought Euro cover meant the same as UK cover for up to 3 months, can’t believe you have to notify them and potentially pay an additional premium…
Just happy that your bus can still drive and the bumper did it’s job.
Safe onward travels.

 

[Coda]

Read about it on the latebay, but its good to spread the word.

One thing, you cannot trust TrustPilot. They take money from companies, and the ones with bad reviews can pay to have them 'fixed' - flagging bad reviews as not genuine and then banning the reviewers.

 

[Huyrob]

Read about it on the latebay, but its good to spread the word.

One thing, you cannot trust TrustPilot. They take money from companies, and the ones with bad reviews can pay to have them 'fixed' - flagging bad reviews as not genuine and then banning the reviewers.

I totally agree but in this case 4%/96% bad to good appears pretty damning.( don’t think the underwriter is even competent enough to ”fix” the bad reviews !
I need to source a 71 lhd westie rear bumper and possibly r/h bracket ( looking from rear. Also best source for rear quarter panel. Any pointers from anybody much appreciated.
Also any recommendations for a repairer in north west , I’m on the Wirral. Sadly my go to “ Dunc” is no longer taking on repairs
Thanks
Dave

 

[Moseley]

It’s a very sad thing to see a crashed bay, I’d possibly go as far to say that we see more incidents relating to engine bay fires than crashes. At least it looks to be fairly minor and repairable damage - hopefully it doesn’t impact on your holiday too much.

Regarding the insurance side of things, unfortunately it is only when you come to need their services that you find out how good an insurer actually is. I had a very poor experience with Adrian Flux many years ago, so have refused to use them ever since. On the contrary, we are currently with Admiral, and having had multiple incident-related dealings with them historically, I have only ever had positive experiences.

Best of luck with your return to the UK.

 

[Clem]

Gutted to see this, really hope you get home ok and it all gets sorted.

Without flogging a dead horse - insurance, breakdown and all other admin needs double checking since the UK exit from the EU. Take nothing for granted.



(FFS )

 

[Huyrob]

It’s a very sad thing to see a crashed bay, I’d possibly go as far to say that we see more incidents relating to engine bay fires than crashes. At least it looks to be fairly minor and repairable damage - hopefully it doesn’t impact on your holiday too much.

Regarding the insurance side of things, unfortunately it is only when you come to need their services that you find out how good an insurer actually is. I had a very poor experience with Adrian Flux many years ago, so have refused to use them ever since. On the contrary, we are currently with Admiral, and having had multiple incident-related dealings with them historically, I have only ever had positive experiences.

Best of luck with your return to the UK.

Thanks, I’ll have a look at Admiral. The problem with Adrian Flux et al is they use the cheapest underwriters in order that they generate the numbers of takers to soak up their commission. Surely there must come a point … NOW when they realise they must become more realistic . I spoke to Adrian Flux many times today and they admitted the major problems they are having with their underwriter “ Markerstudy “
I urge any one check Marker study on Trust pilot and decide…..do you really want to pay these b***tards for what amounts to Cheap 3rd party insurance ?

 

[Huyrob]

Gutted to see this, really hope you get home ok and it all gets sorted.

Without flogging a dead horse - insurance, breakdown and all other admin needs double checking since the UK exit from the EU. Take nothing for granted.



(FFS )

Probably treble checking.
Ive been in Spain for 3 weeks,
my van is well maintained and appears so. Stopped by police just leaving Bilbao port, trailer contents examined, MOT checked online with DVLC. Gave them driving licence, not accepted at face value, again checked online. V5 checked.
one week later stopped by 2 motorbike police, same checks ( apart from trailer contents )
Anyone going abroad
1 MoT
2. V5
3. Insurance
4 check European cover for insurance and if you have to tell them before you go.
5. Best of luck…. Been travelling in Europe the last 30+ years , never been stopped…..this trip, 2 stops plus one after collision !

 

[Graham L]

A few years ago most insurers that offered European cover as part of their insurance removed some important aspects due to cost such as repatriation of your vehicle etc, they would get you back but not your bus and didn’t tell anyone just removed it.
We always take our a seperate breakdown policy for our Euro trips with Heritage Insurance brokers, you let them know where you are going and how long, it’s a great piece of mind and they used ALPS the European breakdown service.
I know it doesnt help you and gutted about the damage to your bus but a warning to others

 

[mike202]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you get home ok.
Thanks for warning everyone to check their cover, you can’t take anything for granted with car insurance.

 

[Huyrob]

A few years ago most insurers that offered European cover as part of their insurance removed some important aspects due to cost such as repatriation of your vehicle etc, they would get you back but not your bus and didn’t tell anyone just removed it.
We always take our a seperate breakdown policy for our Euro trips with Heritage Insurance brokers, you let them know where you are going and how long, it’s a great piece of mind and they used ALPS the European breakdown service.
I know it doesnt help you and gutted about the damage to your bus but a warning to others

Thanks for the info. My policy with Adrian Flux ends in October but I’m going to take out another policy within the next few days and serve notice cancelling my existing policy to avoid double cover which can cause problems. I have made a formal complaint to Markerstudy, chances are they will do next to nothing but will take it to the Ombudsman explaining that having had a crash and heard nothing from the underwriters I could not continue to use my bus with any confidence in the illusory cover they provided.

 

[Huyrob]

It’s a very sad thing to see a crashed bay, I’d possibly go as far to say that we see more incidents relating to engine bay fires than crashes. At least it looks to be fairly minor and repairable damage - hopefully it doesn’t impact on your holiday too much.

Regarding the insurance side of things, unfortunately it is only when you come to need their services that you find out how good an insurer actually is. I had a very poor experience with Adrian Flux many years ago, so have refused to use them ever since. On the contrary, we are currently with Admiral, and having had multiple incident-related dealings with them historically, I have only ever had positive experiences.

Best of luck with your return to the UK.

Hi,
spoke to Admiral today about their insurance , unfortunately they don’t cover imported USA T2’s which is a shame.
I am trying to go with RAC ( Hegarty ) who seem to use Aviva, I’ve read their policy terms and they seem fair with no hidden traps.

 

[Moseley]

Hi,
spoke to Admiral today about their insurance , unfortunately they don’t cover imported USA T2’s which is a shame.
I am trying to go with RAC ( Hegarty ) who seem to use Aviva, I’ve read their policy terms and they seem fair with no hidden traps.

That seems a bit odd because ours is a US import…?

 

[fallingoffalot]

Sorry to hear about this! Very frustrating, hope you get it all sorted!

 

[Huyrob]

That seems a bit odd because ours is a US import…?

That is really odd. I completed the online quote form but it didn’t recognise the engine size nor the year “ J” only K and L. It didn’t give a quote so I rang them with the ref of my quote and was told that whilst he didn’t have a list of those specific vehicles which they did not cover it was clear that their records etc would not allow cover. He said quite a few American imports were not covered. Mine is a 1971 Californian import. Have you been with Admiral for long, also is your van a second vehicle on a multi car policy ?I was surprised as your avatar photo of your van is a doppelganger of mine!

 

[Albie5]

Hi Huyrob, as a matter of interest was any action taken against the person/vehicle who rear-ended you? Did you get their insurance details to claim on their insurance? Were the police helpful?
I would imagine in cases like this it would be hugely beneficial to speak the language.
Thanks for your Euro tips.

 

[sparkywig]

Can I just advise against using Admiral/Elephant, etc. just to save a few quid. I'm having a nightmare at the moment.

 

[michaelomichael]

Sorry to hear about the accident, Huyrob. We're on the continent at the moment and all the stories have been making me worry! I phoned our insurance broker (A Plan) today and happily they confirmed that our policy with KGM has exactly the same cover here as it does in the UK.

 

[Huyrob]

Hi Huyrob, as a matter of interest was any action taken against the person/vehicle who rear-ended you? Did you get their insurance details to claim on their insurance? Were the police helpful?
I would imagine in cases like this it would be hugely beneficial to speak the language.
Thanks for your Euro tips.

Hi Albie,
Fortunately my partner speaks Spanish. I am a retired solicitor so pretty knowledgeable on the claims aspect. The police were very good and realised were the fault lay. They do however produce a very truncated report detailing only the 3rd parties registration number . Data protection junk. They did however check he was insured and insurance companies can access name of insured, insurers etc from the registration number.
I have not reached the stage of estimates etc, or whether my Underwriter will pursue 3rd party for the cost.
Frankly whilst Adrian Flux have been really helpful, though in reality unable to do anything as the Insurers Markerstudy are worse than useless.
Anyway today I have, with full disclosure arranged a new policy with RAC ( Hegarty) who’s T’s and C‘s are fair and premium is good. I have cancelled my old policy with Adrian Flux, which wasn’t due for renewal until mid October. I have made a complaint and will pursue it

 

[Huyrob]

Sorry to hear about the accident, Huyrob. We're on the continent at the moment and all the stories have been making me worry! I phoned our insurance broker (A Plan) today and happily they confirmed that our policy with KGM has exactly the same cover here as it does in the UK.

Sorry to hear about the accident, Huyrob. We're on the continent at the moment and all the stories have been making me worry! I phoned our insurance broker (A Plan) today and happily they confirmed that our policy with KGM has exactly the same cover here as it does in the UK.

Mmm, that could mean many things !
Have you looked at the policy conditions?
First worry is that your underwriter is based in Malta.
Second worry is clause 9.1 relating to foreign travel only provides you with 3rd party cover.
Clause 9.2 however relates to extended foreign cover……have you got this on your policy, If not you are 3rd party only !!