Worthless vandalism cover from Direct Line

davejuk_2

At 2.30pm in broad daylight on Sunday 29th March 2009 my car was keyed all the way down the passenger side, damaging all 4 panels and the petrol cap door. The worse thing is that I know who did it. I've reported it but I think there's more chance of the culprit handing themselves in than the Police doing anything about it. But that's another story.

I got a quote privately from the local bodyshop. £375+VAT.

So I called Direct Line, my insurer, believing my excess was £350. I was told that this was my voluntary excess (I probably should have picked up on this) and that it would actually cost me £450. However, because I'm under 25 (I'm 24) there is an additional £250 excess, taking the total to £700!

The policy already cost me £905 for the year!

The agent said it was OK though because I wouldn't lose my no claims discount!

Unfortunately I don't have my policy details to hand but I'm certain that this extra under 25's excess was not made clear at point of sale. Needless to say, I won't be renewing my policy with them next year.

missile

I can understand why you are upset with the moron who keyed your car. I am not quite sure what your beef with Direct Line is?

You accepted this risk and benefited from a reduction in premium when you opted for voluntary excess? Even @ £450 excess you would have to pay for the damage yourself.

Their policy conditions are quite clear and unambiguous

These days it's almost impossible to protect your car from being vandalised. If you're a victim, our vandalism cover comes as standard and now preserves your no claims discount. And we won't just repair the damage; if you go to one of our recommended garages, we'll clean your car inside and out too. After all, it's not your fault if you're a victim - so why should you suffer twice?
Conditions

• You pay the excess
• The incident is reported to the police and assigned a crime reference number.
• The damage has not been caused by another vehicle

lisyloo

If it's not in your paperwork then you can make a complaint.
However I'm pretty certain that you will find the voluntary, compulsory and under 25 excess in your documentation.
You are menat to read this and check it's correct.
If you missed it then I'm afraid you have no valid complaint with Direct Line.

If you think the paperwork is too confusing then you should not be going "Direct".
You should be getting advice from an insurance broker who could explain all this to you.

The problem with going Direct is that you don't get any advice so you are totally responsible for checking and understanding the paperwork yourself.

Lots of people like yourself do this to save money without realising the cost of the lack of advice.

duggie1982

I had the same issue with someone keying my car. but as i was 25 at the time (last year) got it all sorted without an excess. Only prob was i had to call them at my renewal as they put this down as a claim. Only took 5 min to sort out.

Been with them for years now and cant fault them apart from the £100 compulsery excess due to me having 9 points. But most insurers wont even touch me because of that.

dunstonh

Needless to say, I won't be renewing my policy with them next year.

Why are you blaming the insurer when it is you that made those choices. You didnt use a broker and bought direct meaning you take on the responsibility of knowing what you buy.

I think you are letting your anger over the keying, and perhaps realising your own errors, influence your comments on the insurer.

dacouch

The joys of buying insurance on the internet without reading the policy conditions...

P.S If it was not with Direct Line most companies would reduce the no claims bonus for a vandalism. I agree...don't blame the messenger

FlameCloud

I've held car insurance with direct line and other RBS companies for the last 5 years and they make it perfectly clear when you click on the 'view excesses' tab. The policy docs you recieve also make it perfectly clear- there is even a tailored chart on the back of one of the pages!

Wutang_2

I think its called 'transference' when one blames someone else but is really angry with themself. I saw that on Frasier.

A_Nice_Englishman

I'm struggling to understand why an under-25 excess should apply in the case of vandalism, or for that matter theft.

Are younger drivers more likely to have their cars vandalised or stolen?

dacouch

Simple answer is yes