Please Help, elderly car insurance rip off!!!

dohboy4

I was wondering if anyone could offer any help or point me in the right direction.

My Granddad is on oxygen 24/7 and his only independence is through his car - it failed its MOT today but that isn’t the issue. Thinking I could save him some money I called his insurance company to put the policy on hold until I get him a better car. I was told by Pearl that it is not possible to put the insurance on hold, if we want to cancel it we need to pay the rest of the premium off - which was over £400!!!

Is this normal? I've had many cars and change quite often. I thought it was common practice to put a policy on hold, or even to be able to cancel it without paying for the whole thing? I'm aware there is normally a small charge but £400 is a bit over the top.

I was also alarmed to hear that my granddad pays over £80 a month for a car that travels less than 200 miles a year. I said on the phone that I was getting the feeling they were taking advantage of my granddads trusting nature.


I'm going to look into this but if anyone can offer any words of suggestion I would appreciate it. It makes me sick the way older people are treated by business trying to make a buck.

custardy

you buy an annual premium
how that is paid or any refund is really up to the company
@ 200 miles a year. I bet a taxi would be cheaper

dohboy4

custardy wrote: »

you buy an annual premium
how that is paid or any refund is really up to the company
@ 200 miles a year. I bet a taxi would be cheaper

Really? He pays it monthly so why don't I just cancel the direct debit.

a taxi would be cheaper but a car gives his peace of mind

custardy

dohboy4 wrote: »

Really? He pays it monthly so why don't I just cancel the direct debit.

a taxi would be cheaper but a car gives his peace of mind

because he bought a 12 month policy,thats why.
non payment and a cancelled insurance policy would be an eye opener for the next insurance bought.

missile

£960 per year for car insurance, ouch that is expensive. He must be a seriously high risk?

System

Go on, I'll bite. He is dependant on oxygen 24/7 and goes out driving?

zygurat789

dohboy4 wrote: »

Really? He pays it monthly so why don't I just cancel the direct debit.

a taxi would be cheaper but a car gives his peace of mind

The car gives you peace of mind - its just failed an MOT and is old!!!
Plus the fact that he's on oxygen 24/7

Taxis cost about £1 per mile thats £200, £300 at the outside. Get to know the local firm.

dohboy4

[FONT=&quot]not the debate I was after but it doesn't look like I'll find a solution!

He uses oxygen or air?? (not being a doctor I'm not qualified to say what it is, it aids his breathing) when he is at home. He has bottles for when he goes out (wheather it is necesary all the time, not being a doctor, I can not say). the DVLA are aware of his health so I'm not sure its even in question! He even has a disabled badge.

To be fair his "going out driving" days are limited to going half a mile down the road to the shops once a month or taking my nan the doctors when we can't make it.

If the reply isn't related to the ridiculous problem then the comment is moot. But thank you for biting!
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dohboy4

zygurat789 wrote: »

The car gives you peace of mind - its just failed an MOT and is old!!!
Plus the fact that he's on oxygen 24/7

Taxis cost about £1 per mile thats £200, £300 at the outside. Get to know the local firm.

the subject heading asked for help not your opinion on if my grandad should drive!!!! I was under the impression this was a helpful pleasent community.

I remember very clearly that Martin Lewis said the idea of MSE is so people can live the lives they want as cheaply as possible, not to reduce your quality of life for the sake of money.

I'm slightly disapointed that you are telling me what gives someone peace of mind - who are you to say this, besides you have no idea what the car failed on or its age!

Savvy_Sue

If the car is parked on the public highway, then you have to keep it insured.

Even if you are paying monthly installments, it is an annual premium.

the insurance co isn't taking advantage of your granddad's trusting nature. their quote is based on the risk factors associated with his age, his health issues, the age and size of his car, and the number of miles driven each year - and TBH only driving 200 miles in a year might be loading the premium as much as a very high mileage would.

They are quoting, your granddad is accepting.

I'd agree that giving up the car would be the sensible thing to do. It would be sensible - financially and for other reasons - if my FIL would do the same. But it is a huge emotional 'thing' and I don't see it happening any time soon for my FIL.

Sagaris

My late father in law used to drive and had to have oxygen 24/7 - he was passed as fit to drive and had a Motability car.

Insurance does get expensive as you get over a 'certain age' - when my mum was living in London I shopped around for her car insurance as her renewal came in at £1200 - she has now moved to an area in Hampshire and is paying just over £500 for the same cover!