Relative's car insurer won't pay out!!!

bigsunglasses

Hello, I need some advice about a relative's situation please.

Very recently her son took her car without consent and whilst intoxicated drove it into a house. (horrible tearaway cousin of mine!!!) The car was new to her but not a new car. Approximate value of around £2000 I believe.

The car is a write off but the insurance company refuse to pay out because of the fact that it was her son that did this to her and he lives with her.

She is insured with the Post Office and has a third party fire & theft policy. She needs to know whether they have the right to do this and also whether there is an alternative way to claim during the court process.

Any help would be appreciated as she's understandably shaken up and I'm trying to give her a hand!

Thank you. :-)

raskazz

bigsunglasses wrote: »

Hello, I need some advice about a relative's situation please.

Very recently her son took her car without consent and whilst intoxicated drove it into a house. (horrible tearaway cousin of mine!!!) The car was new to her but not a new car. Approximate value of around £2000 I believe.

The car is a write off but the insurance company refuse to pay out because of the fact that it was her son that did this to her and he lives with her.

She is insured with the Post Office and has a third party fire & theft policy. She needs to know whether they have the right to do this and also whether there is an alternative way to claim during the court process.

Any help would be appreciated as she's understandably shaken up and I'm trying to give her a hand!

Thank you. :-)

I am afraid that it is a fairly standard term in motor insurance that damage suffered whilst the car is taken without consent by a member of the policyholder's household is excluded.

Frankly, I think she should make the culprit pay her back - and if he refuses then turf him out.

bigsunglasses

thank you for your quick reply

raskazz

She may be able to make a claim through the Motor Insurer's Bureau (http://www.mib.org.uk) - although she will almost certainly have to report the culprit to the Police for taking her car without consent before they will take the case on.

elite_2

About 10 years ago a friend of mine went on a drive (on a provisional license without owners concent) after a long friday night in the pub and (as you would expect) managed to wrap it around a lamp post.

His parents were told either press charges with the police or we wont pay out...

vikingaero

If the car is covered TPF&T then there is no cover unless she reports the theft and agrees to cooperate with the insurer in recovering their loss from the son. The MIB may be able to help as other posters have mentioned.

bigsunglasses

thanks for all of your replies, you have been helpful.

Altarf

And of course if the car isn't insured for your cousin then he will probably also be done for driving without insurance.

BritBrat

Being drunk equals no insurance anyway.

C_Ronaldo

if the relative pressed charges against the culprit it could make him see what hes done kind of thing

Altarf

BritBrat wrote: »

Being drunk equals no insurance anyway.

No it doesn't.