Harrod Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Hi all So the torture of dealing with insurance companies is with me once more! Prior to buying my 200tdi 90 i got a quote from Sureterm, and to make sure they knew the score i disclosed every mod that i was aware of. Then i bought the truck, insured the truck again telling them what mods it had. So then they send me paperwork, i fill said paperwork in with all the mods on (no different to what i told them. twice!) and they phoned me back saying they couldnt insure me . When i asked reasons why they said the mods were unacceptable to the insurance company . when asked what mods so i could perhaps revert to original to keep them happy i was told all of them. All its had is a 200tdi instead of a 19j, 300tdi rear disc axle a winch bumper and an x-eng handbrake (which is now awesome after i changed the handbrake cable which snapped on a hill! but thats another story..) so surely its much safer than a standard 19j to 200tdi conversion? So anyway the long and short of it is that if they can dig out both conversations and prove i told them about the mods straight up i get my money back but no insurance. To complete the picture i'm 23, male, no dependants, in the forces so have experience of driving defenders, i have a BORDA certificate of proficiency (or similar... .need to digg it out) from a course run at a land rover experience center for us and 3 yrs no claims. one claim and one TS10 that are now out of the 5 yrs. Any ideas where to get insurance/how to make sure this doesnt happen again!? thanks for listening, feels good to have a rant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Try Academy Insure me, and have done for last 20+ years (was Snowball) and have all mods covered, oddly for an insurance compnay they employ staff that know WTF mods are and what they do, even know what JED Rover V8 are Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobson Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Try NFU Mutual, thats who we're with, we have a few simple mods but NFU weren't bothered about them when told. we had one company (Lancaster) tell us a roof rack was a modification! and they wanted another £120.00 to insure it! needless to say we went elsewhere. NFU deal with a lot of farm and agricultural stuff so they have a far better idea of what mods a landrover might have. i think insurance companies use any excuse to get an extra bit of cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 NFU go to http://www.nfumutual.co.uk/ & find your local agent, visit & get the 90 insured, use the Contact your local branch search bit at top right of page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Try Academy Insure me, and have done for last 20+ years (was Snowball) and have all mods covered, oddly for an insurance compnay they employ staff that know WTF mods are and what they do, even know what JED Rover V8 are Nige I second these guys I had the two racer's and the big 90 with them. The 4.2 auto 90 challenge truck with twin lockers and twin 8274-50's, LSE rear axle to name but a few in 2004 was still regarded by them as not that modded by them as they deal with rally teams etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Se7enUp Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Are Academy these guys?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrod Posted September 13, 2009 Author Share Posted September 13, 2009 cheers guys, i'll give them a bell and find out what the sketch is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Frank Pickles are good for modded cars - very cheap too, but I fear that the mods you describe may not not actually be enough since they don't do 'normal' cars.. When I have spoken on the phone to them they have always been very helpful and have carefully read back what they have written to check that the mods are listed correctly, and although the person on the phone didn't understand them, they went and checked the list with their 4x4 expert before agreeing it (somehow I found this comforting). When the insurance docs arrived all was perfect with all the mods listed correctly - and all for £130 on a RRC 3.9 2nd car limited to 5000 miles - which I think is pretty good (but then I am an old git who drives like a granny ) Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicks90 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 All its had is a 200tdi instead of a 19j, 300tdi rear disc axle a winch bumper and an x-eng handbrake you're joking? A landrover specialist that constantly bangs on in the glossies about insuring landrovers and offroaders and they wont insure a defender with a replacement engine, disk braked rear axle and a better handbrake? Thats hardly redical now is it? Poor show sureterm. I'll stick with Lancaster - again. Just got my renewel through for £220 fully comp with every mod declared (internal cage, winch, rocksliders, steering + diff gaurds, seating changed, snorkel, inj pump tweek etc) and thats ith 3 points and no NCB..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwhacker Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Hello everyone. This problem with getting insurance is getting worse for all of us. In NI it has always been difficult to find and I have noticed it becoming a problem on the mainland via the forum. We really need to take notice, it is ok and very helpful for people to let others know the companies who do provide cover and those who do not. It was very annoying when I used to read the mags (that was before I found this site) and seen the ads with we do not cover NI We need to combine our efforts to be able to insure our vehicles, most of which are not speed enhancements. If we all acted together there has to be a company who would give us the cover we so need! Can I please ask for a section on "Insurance" or topic to be added to the this site. Where we can help people out it would be a great benefit to all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 you're joking? A landrover specialist that constantly bangs on in the glossies about insuring landrovers and offroaders and they wont insure a defender with a replacement engine, disk braked rear axle and a better handbrake? Thats hardly redical now is it? Poor show sureterm. They also claim to do agreed value "at no extra cost" but what they don't tell you is that they will only agree up to the book value of an unmodified LR... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrod Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 i agree completely. I went with sureterm because they had a rep as being a good insurer for modded LRs. a quote from elephant for a standard 90 came in at ~£800 if it was standard, 3rd party. so i was chuffed with ~£500 fully comp with some extras for a modded 90. Good things never last! Poor show indeed. I'm waiting for their response to my complaints when they told me so will keep you posted, and will especially find out why the mods were unacceptable, i.e. age or experience etc. thanks for your recommendations for good companies, this just goes to show that a good report will reach a few, a bad one will reach many! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrod Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 something i just thought of, am i now going to have to say yes when they ask if i've had insurance refused or special conditions imposed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I don't think you will - that's to do with you taking out insurance based on prior conduct etc (ie fraud and the like) - this situation is to do with your vehicle not meeting the criteria for them to offer insurance. I've just got insured with NFU - I was very pleased when they came back with the cheapest quote as I think they probably offer the best cover should I need to claim. Frank Pickles wouldn't insure anything valued over £6k I think it was if it was parked on the road... so that was out. Makes me wonder how people can lift a Defender, cover it in winches etc etc and either keep the cost under 6K or fit it in a garage? Lancaster came back with a decent quote too - and were quite happy with my mods, which include an X brake, X springs, Gwyn Lewis mounts, OME shocks, hydraulic pto driven winch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Se7enUp Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Well, I just tried Lancaster and they say they won't quote as I have too many mods???? Std hardtop Td5 90, Scrapiron 2" lift (springs, shocks, prop, radius arms etc), Winch and bumper, Tree sliders, steering guard and 255/85 tyres. Hardly modified compared to some of the LR's on here so I was amazed when they told me. NFU and Adrian Flux are both within £2 of each other. I'm going to call Academy today and see what they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastcard Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Sounds similar to my experiences with 'Shorterm'. i.e they say (or don't say) one thing on the phone to get your money and then change their mind once you have paid, then having to fork out rediculous penalties to change the policy. In my view another Orange company with huge advertising budget to beware of. If it helps, they do record phone calls and will send out a CD (at a price) of those calls. However, although I cannot prove it I do believe there were some conversations that didn't make the edit !! I have been with Adrian Flux since and must say so far, so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 NFU and Adrian Flux are both within £2 of each other. You will save the £2 and more the first time you call NFU to change anything as they do not charge any amendment fee. IME the local office staff are friendly, helpful and efficient. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty_wingnut Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I had some great laughs trying to insure my 90. Sureterm wouldn't renew because I was high risk (no claims or penalties at all) NFU wouldn't insure the Land Rover as it is modified Footman James wouldn't insure it offroad - to which I said "it's a Land Rover, it's meant to go off road!" Spotty tarquin on the end of the line says "We insure Land Rovers that don't go off road" and puts the phone down. Footman James are the worst insurance company for Land Rovers ever, only slightly worse than Sureterm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I had some great laughs trying to insure my 90. Sureterm wouldn't renew because I was high risk (no claims or penalties at all) NFU wouldn't insure the Land Rover as it is modified Footman James wouldn't insure it offroad - to which I said "it's a Land Rover, it's meant to go off road!" Spotty tarquin on the end of the line says "We insure Land Rovers that don't go off road" and puts the phone down. Footman James are the worst insurance company for Land Rovers ever, only slightly worse than Sureterm Interesting that you would say that, Footman James have been more than amicable for me. I wouldn't expect them to insure it off-road at events, I do expect cover when greenlaning though, which is provided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty_wingnut Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 They wouldn't cover me for greenlanes, maybe I got the blokes back up, well he certainly got mine up, but with the picture in LRO showing a 110 off road I would have thought they would provide cover for greenlanes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich_P Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I would expect any insurance company that insures a Land Rover for road use to cover it for "greenlaning", given that lanes tend to be roads by law. FJ FAQ, at the bottom it explains that they cover vehicles for "greenlaning". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 They wouldn't cover me for greenlanes, maybe I got the blokes back up, well he certainly got mine up, but with the picture in LRO showing a 110 off road I would have thought they would provide cover for greenlanes.... A green lane is a road, you are not "off road" so your normal insurance should be just as valid regardless of the condition of the road's surface. The problem is that some of the staff assume that "green laning" involves driving "off road" so just asking the question "am I covered for green laning" is pretty meaningless, especially given that "green lane" isn't a recognised term legally anyway. A better question might be "will this insurance cover me on all adopted highways, regardless of road surface". Driving off the road or on private roads isn't normally covered by any normal insurance policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Academy Insurance Services were very good to me (recommended on yet another insurance thread on here) they got me a dedicated off-road policy (so private and off-road is covered), and it didn't even need proof of no claims, and was well down on other companies quotations. They also helped to get my 92 year old grandma insured again on her Morris Traveller. 01784 461131, think I spoke to Mandy, very very efficient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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