Don't forget to declare all mods!

Richard53

A bit more from BBC Wales tonight (news article and interview with the owner, who is a freelance preacher). The reason the insurance company denied any religious discrimination was because that was exactly what she had accused them of: 'someone in the organisation hates Christianity'. Apparently some low-lifes got under the car at night, removed the exhaust and then the engine sump pan. It's a Zafira (I think) and the sump pan for the 1.8 model is in big demand with boy racers - no idea why. She started the car with a disconnected exhaust and no oil, and by the time she had realised something was wrong, she had wrecked the engine. AgeUK wrote it off on that basis.


If I were the insurer, I would ask myself if that car was more likely to be the subject of a claim, compared to a normal Zafira. I thing it would - vandalism is the obvious problem. The insurers did not get the chance to assess if the stickers posed a greater risk, as she didn't tell them, and that was the basis of their objection. "Christ must be the Saviour" in six-inch letters down the side is not the same as a GB sticker, I would have thought.


They finally offered her a final figure of £35, presumably after excess had been deducted, but after the intervention of BBC Wales, they have upped that to £700. She still thinks she is a victim of hatred, though.

GabbaGabbaHey

Richard53 wrote: »

If I were the insurer, I would ask myself if that car was more likely to be the subject of a claim, compared to a normal Zafira. I thing it would - vandalism is the obvious problem.

But surely that is counteracted by the decreased risk of theft? I mean, what sort of idiot would steal a car that is so easily recognisable? And it wouldn't exactly have much credibility with joyriding yoof.

Still, this thread is making me reconsider putting The Flying Spaghetti Monster Must Be Saviour stickers on the doors of my car.

Johnmcl7

Richard53 wrote: »

If I were the insurer, I would ask myself if that car was more likely to be the subject of a claim, compared to a normal Zafira. I thing it would - vandalism is the obvious problem. The insurers did not get the chance to assess if the stickers posed a greater risk, as she didn't tell them, and that was the basis of their objection. "Christ must be the Saviour" in six-inch letters down the side is not the same as a GB sticker, I would have thought.

Exactly, I don't know why people are comparing small window stickers to large decals on the body of the car. The six inch letters down the side were the smaller ones, there was a much larger one on the bonnet:



I think it's reasonable for the insurer to claim the decals are cosmetic modifications which should have been declared.

John

Nilrem

Arfa__ wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-31064998

Like many mods, a bit garish and poor taste. But damned them insurers can be sticklers when it comes to undeclared mods. If a bunch of stickers and an extra fag lighter socket can void your policy, what will be next? Baby-on-board stickers, air fresheners, non OEM wiper blades, child seats, Rick Astley cd's in stereo?!

As has been said signwriting will often increase risk.

And the extra cigarette lighter socket if it's in the boot and was not a factory fit as standard (or even just a factory option) could be a problem, as if it's poorly fitted (and some of the aftermarket electrics added to vehicles are a nightmare) it could potentially increase the risk of problems such as fires (it wouldn't be the first time someone has wired something into a car without the correct gauge of wiring for the current, or the correct fuse - or even any fuse).

Things like a little sticker in the window aren't a mod or something that could affect risk, but advertising (which is what it effectively is), can and does.

Tobster86

Coming in a bit late with this, but she ought to go with Chris Knott insurance. They insure modified cars, and they also insure churches.

Maybe they do a special 'god-botherers' policy that combines both!

colino

A while ago, making small talk at a funeral, I commented to a priest about him driving around in a Grand Espace. I thought it unlikely he'd use it for the kids. He said he needed it for hospital visits and travelling around the parish and paid the penalty in car insurance as his insurers considered it a commercial vehicle. He also insisted (jokingly) that his late night travels around that town were to assist the homeless and not as one Policeman had queried, that he was out to tighten loose women.
I'm not sure how well god botherers of any flavour are connected to the planet, but the "freelance preacher" in the story (does she pray for god or the devil depending on the daily rate?) is subtly unaware of reality.
When she stated, "Every opportunity I have I want to tell people about Jesus. I reckon there must at least a million people who have read the texts on my car,"I think she misconstrued it when people saw her and her bus and commented, "Jesus, are you for real?"

Avoriaz

Richard53 wrote: »

.She still thinks she is a victim of hatred, though...

Why hasn't Christ come to her rescue?

"Christ Must Be Saviour" and "Christ For Me".

rudekid48

Surely it is her duty as a good Christian to just forgive them - rather than going whining to the local TV station?

Richard53

Avoriaz wrote: »

Why hasn't Christ come to her rescue?

Perhaps he has. Not all prayers are answered in the way we wish for, according to a vicar I knew, and perhaps the Good Lord is letting her learn a vital lesson about car insurance.

rudekid48 wrote: »

Surely it is her duty as a good Christian to just forgive them - rather than going whining to the local TV station?

The programme X-Ray (BBC Wales) has a track record of giving whining entitlement junkies unwarranted publicity, and getting all frowny about evil corporations who trample the faces of the poor. Think of a combination of a sixth-form socialist society and Esther Rantzen without the teeth.