More Than car insurance nightmare.

fionaxxx

We have been having a right nightmare with More Than car insurance.

We had an accident in June which was only resolved at the beginning of September.

We were using the car to drive to work and didn't realise that it wasn't covered on the policy.
The policy was voided and so nothing paid out.
We had a letter beg of September stating this and that because of costs incurred the policy premium would not be refunded. Also they would make arrangements to return the car to us.
I rang to ask for a full breakdown of the costs and to query that they could have incurred £1300 worth of costs. The answer back was that the premium would now be refunded within 10 days and they would let us know about getting the car back.

As usual we heard nothing so I rang again 26th Sept and they said they had only had the information that day and now would be within 10 days again!
Also informed that the place storing the car had salvaged it to offset their costs.

My questions are can they legally do this as we are still the legal owners and we were not informed of any storage costs or given the option to pay them and have the car back.
Also not our fault that it took them so long to process the claim.

Also wondering if we can claim anything from the original person who caused the accident as they have admitted fault.

Someone has also suggested that they sold us a policy not fit for purpose - any thoughts?

I could write much more on this dreadful company but trying to keep it brief!

thanks Fiona

InsideInsurance

If it is More Th<n then you have bought a policy yourself on a non-advised basis that was inappropriate - no one "sold" it to you or suggested it was fit for purpose.

If you were involved in a non-fault accident then the TP/ their insurers are still liable irrespective of your own insurance issues.

So what you are saying is the More Th<n took your car or it was recovered from the scene by police? By the sounds of it you are saying More Th<n have told the recovery company to scrap the vehicle and this has been done and you havent received a settlement?

Did an engineer inspect your vehicle? Was a total loss value ever mentioned? If it was, what was it and what is your policy excess?

If they have not settled the claim due to the indemnity issues then as you say you still retain title to the vehicle and so More Th<n should not have scrapped it. If they have scrapped it and cannot get it back from the salvage company then they have prejudiced your case against the Third Party and you have good grounds for a complaint.

fionaxxx

Thanks

More Than recovered the vehicle. The claims department said the storage place scrapped the car to offset the storage costs but didn't inform us of any of this.

Car was classed as a write off ( due to repair costs) and loss value of £1100 was agreed which was the purchase price a few months previous.

How do we proceed now regards the TP and complaining?

thanks

InsideInsurance

Presumably they havent sent you the £1,100 net of the excess?

You really need to proceed with More Th<n and complain to them that they either have to return your vehicle because they are not going to settle the claim OR they must return the vehicle to you in the same condition as it was when recovered.

At present they have no title to the vehicle and therefore no right to scrap the vehicle and they have prejudiced your case against the third party by disposing of the vehicle

How to proceed with the TP will depend on the outcome of the complaint to your insurers. Have you had any contact from their insurers? Do you know who the TPI are? You MAY be able to contact them and advise of the indemnity issues and the fact that the vehicle was inspected and incorrectly scrapped but no settlement paid out. There is a slim chance they could settle on the grounds of More Th<ns valuation but they could equally sit back and say that with no vehicle to inspect they arent prepared to consider any claim

dunstonh

Would the non-disclosure by the op that led to the claim be rejected impact on them on this? (it looks as if they initially considered the claim as per normal but then withdrew once the non-disclosure came to light)

InsideInsurance

If the accident happened whilst they were commuting (or any other prohibited activities) then there is an argument it is material

fionaxxx

No we haven't had any money back from them nor advised of any storage costs.

Will they tell us the TP info?

The claim was proceeding until the driving to work came to light.

InsideInsurance

Was the accident whilst driving to work?

They should give you the TP insurers information, if not you can buy it for a couple of pounds from the MID website (assuming you have their registration plate)

fionaxxx

No accident wasn't while driving to or from work.

InsideInsurance

Then add to the complaint that the non-disclosure was both accidental and irrelevant to the claim and thus if an additional premium should be charged for adding commuting then fair enough but the claim shouldnt be reject and the policy shouldnt be voided

fionaxxx

Another good point, thanks.