Insured by Direct Line - Under 25 With Metalic Paint? You're Insurance may be VOID!

aliasojo

I agree with tinkerbell. This was one of the things I questioned. I was told it is my (or son's) responsibility to KNOW or at least find out ALL about the car by phoning the manufacturer if need be.

They simply wont accept any errors, even genuinely made ones.

raskazz

oramgepekoe wrote: »

If you bought the car second-hand you probably wouldn't know what was standard and what were extra options.

Which is why you should look into it before answering 'no' to the insurer's question about modifications or extras. Especially when insurers warn you of the consequences of failing to disclose all information truthfully and accurately - Direct Line's warning before taking a policy out online is in bold writing in a big red box to draw it to your attention:

"Please ensure that the information provided by you and the statements on this page are correct. Should you decide to buy this policy, these details will form the basis of the insurance contract between us. Incorrect information could invalidate all or part of the policy."

I recently personally dealt with a case where the car had been resprayed, debadged, had a spoiler and sports seats fitted. The young driver claimed to have bought it in that condition, and claimed to be unaware that it had been modified. As it was clear as day that the car had been modified (even to the untrained eye) and he had made no effort to check whether the car had been modified his policy was void. Now he has no car and no money to replace it with, and is very lucky that he didn't hit anyone else in the accident, otherwise he would have had to pay for their injury and damage too.

nomoneytoday

There's a difference between metallic paint and a chavvy body kit.
A sensible "call centre monkey" should be fine about the paint, but charge £1000 for chavvy body kits

raskazz

nomoneytoday wrote: »

There's a difference between metallic paint and a chavvy body kit.
A sensible "call centre monkey" should be fine about the paint, but charge £1000 for chavvy body kits

It's nothing to do with 'call centre monkeys'. The rules are laid down by Direct Line's technical underwriters, in accordance with their business model. The rules are laid down because Direct Line is the epitome of a heavily 'process-based' insurer - they cater for the 'standard risks' area of the market.

losgiganteskid

rhoran00 wrote: »

My girlfriend is 22, has a metalic silver car and is insured by direct line. She's phoned up this morning and been told that, because she had to pay extra for the paint, it's not a standard car and her policy is void, leaving her with no insurance on her car.

I assume then that you have been offered a full premium refund on the basis that your g/f's policy was void ?

raskazz

losgiganteskid wrote: »

I assume then that you have been offered a full premium refund on the basis that your g/f's policy was void ?

I don't think it is actually 'void', they are just exercising the insurer's right to cancel. They would have given consideration to any claims that had been incurred, the outcome would have depended on the insured's explanation for the non-disclosure.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

In all honesty anyone who manages to answers this question, innocently, or deliberatly should not be allowed to drive

Not knowing the basic spec of your car or work done to it is neglient and dangerous and completely at odds with being a responsible motorist.

My car has metallic paint, this is a "no cost option", now this isnt declared but then its a standard choice on the car at colour stage, now I dont think theres anything wrong on that

In my previous car I had an expensive sound system, I never thought to declare it although I probably should have, but then I would have accepted that was my mistake

I doubt many insurers would refuse to pay out because of metallic paint alone, although if they choose not to insure at all then that is their choice

anewman

How far can you go before it gets stupid though?

Customer - " I have added a 99p magic tree air freshener to my car, and I am under 25"
Direct line - "I am sorry that is not in the manufacturer's specifications, your insurance is void."

Customer - " I have changed the wheel trims from the originals for some costing £4.99 from Home Bargains as the originals were broken."
Direct line - "I am sorry that is not in the manufacturer's specifications, your insurance is void."

raskazz

anewman wrote: »

How far can you go before it gets stupid though?

Customer - " I have added a 99p magic tree air freshener to my car, and I am under 25"
Direct line - "I am sorry that is not in the manufacturer's specifications, your insurance is void."

Customer - " I have changed the wheel trims from the originals for some costing £4.99 from Home Bargains as the originals were broken."
Direct line - "I am sorry that is not in the manufacturer's specifications, your insurance is void."

Easy - They're both accessories not modifications!

FlameCloud

Would you agree though that the question could be displayed more clearly, with examples though? I would hazard at a guess that 90+% of cars are metallic, yet no where near that number of declarations. That along would suggest that the questioning is misleading to the general public.