Car insurance claim refused - no 'commute to work' cover

strawb_shortcake

To be fair when I first started driving 20 years ago commuting to one place of work was standard. 
I'm not sure when it changed, but it is quite clear on the screen what you are signing up to, at least in my experience 

csgohan4

Joseph_Merrick said:

Thrugelmir said:

Sometimes the attitude is simply the insurer will never find out. At 23 a BMW may not be cheap to insure depending on the model/value. 

Thanks for suggesting that my step-daughter would do something illegal. Most unhelpful and completely wrong. She has a 1 series diesel which she worked hard to afford and went straight away and got fully comp insurance. Unfortunately, it wasn't until this accident she even knew there was a difference in cover type. Indeed as other posters have thanked me or given other examples, it seems she is not alone. Having been driving for 6 years in the typical late teenage run of small first cars, why now shouldn't she have a car to cherish? 

As Thurg has pointed out, the more expensive the brand, the more expensive the insurance generally. Nothing wrong with having a BMV, Mercedes or Audi, but as long as your aware of the costs of this as well. 

I have no shame in having several 1k old bangers. This is a money saving website after all. I would rather squirrel away that extra 20k for that brand new finance car, for a house deposit or emergency. But everyone is different.  You reap what you sow

Fingerbobs

Joseph_Merrick said:

Norman_Castle said:

Joseph_Merrick said:

Hi.
My step-daughter has just had an accident in her BMW on the way to work. She was crossing a slippery wooden bridge, the rear wheels span, sending the car sideways then down a bank, hitting a concrete post on the side on the way.

Where is this "slippery wooden bridge". Is it on google maps?

Yes it is. Look on Google Maps for 'Alpha Crossing' Upavon. It is one of 3 military bridges that link the East and Central areas of Salisbury Plain crossing the river Avon.

5mph speed limit on the bridge. Difficult to see how anyone could lose control, slide down a bank and hit a concrete post at that speed. 

unforeseen

If it skidded on that bridge it needs to demolish a solidly constructed metal side to end up down the bank. 

Joseph_Merrick

So a quick update for anyone interested in following the outcome from this, and a thank you to those who had positive things to say and who offered advice.
I have determined the cost of the additional commute cover would have added only about £20 for the entire year. This was on top of a policy that cost just under £1200, that my step-daughter paid in full (not installments). I think everybody (even the most pious of doubters that have responded) can agree that she was not trying to save money by falsely stating her usage.
The second point is quite interesting: although the schedule and certificate state 'social, domestic and pleasure' use, nowhere in any of the other policy documentation do they define what S,D&P includes or excludes. Nor are there definitions for any type of usage. Whilst I know that assumption is not a strong legal footing, it does add weight to our plea for reconsideration of the claim on the grounds of the amount of premium paid and the lack of clarity on cover. Indeed armed with the knowledge that other insurers allow commuting on their S,D&P use, then it is reasonable to at least expect a definition from 1st Choice.
I have spoken to 1st Choice who, I have to say, are very professional and easy to deal with. They have outlined the required timescales for handling our complaint and have taken full details of everything that may impact upon a review. We are expecting a call within 3 days from a claim manager to go over the case and I will update again when I get any more news.

Joseph_Merrick

csgohan4 said:

As Thurg has pointed out, the more expensive the brand, the more expensive the insurance generally. Nothing wrong with having a BMV, Mercedes or Audi, but as long as your aware of the costs of this as well. 

I have no shame in having several 1k old bangers. This is a money saving website after all. I would rather squirrel away that extra 20k for that brand new finance car, for a house deposit or emergency. But everyone is different.  You reap what you sow

The piety of some of the respondents beggars belief. "You reap what you sow" directs the reader to automatically assume wrong doing on the part of my step-daughter and that, by her actions and unfortunate result, she got what she deserved. Why should a young woman who works hard, has been promoted several times already in her current job due to her hard-working nature and outgoing personality, be branded as a wrongdoer? The fact that her insurance premium cost more than your old bangers does not make her wrong or bad; she just has different priorities in life to yours. I am glad you are comfortable in your miserliness and hopefully one day you can take to your grave a coffin full gold, feeling proud what you've achieved in life. No ghosts of Christmas past, present and future to shake you from your righteous path. For the rest of us, who are we to judge how someone should live their life? As my grandmother always said, and she knew a thing or two about human kindness, if you cannot say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Hasbeen

Joseph_Merrick said:

So a quick update for anyone interested in following the outcome from this, and a thank you to those who had positive things to say and who offered advice.
I have determined the cost of the additional commute cover would have added only about £20 for the entire year. This was on top of a policy that cost just under £1200, that my step-daughter paid in full (not installments). I think everybody (even the most pious of doubters that have responded) can agree that she was not trying to save money by falsely stating her usage.
The second point is quite interesting: although the schedule and certificate state 'social, domestic and pleasure' use, nowhere in any of the other policy documentation do they define what S,D&P includes or excludes. Nor are there definitions for any type of usage. Whilst I know that assumption is not a strong legal footing, it does add weight to our plea for reconsideration of the claim on the grounds of the amount of premium paid and the lack of clarity on cover. Indeed armed with the knowledge that other insurers allow commuting on their S,D&P use, then it is reasonable to at least expect a definition from 1st Choice.
I have spoken to 1st Choice who, I have to say, are very professional and easy to deal with. They have outlined the required timescales for handling our complaint and have taken full details of everything that may impact upon a review. We are expecting a call within 3 days from a claim manager to go over the case and I will update again when I get any more news.

You are correct adding commute cover is usually very cheap. And it does cover all bases unless using car for business use as well.

But personally perhaps mistaken? do not know of any Insurance company's that allows Commuting on a SDP policy

Hopefully 1st choice will agree with your complaint. And will reinstate the policy. Perhaps for the £20 additional payment.

Good Luck. Let us know outcome.

Typically, there are three choices when selecting a class of use:

1. Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SDP)

SDP is when you use your car for everyday social driving, such as visiting friends, doing the school run and shopping.

2. Social, Domestic, Pleasure and Commuting (SDP+C)

This class covers the same uses as SDP, and additionally includes your journey to and from work. 

Typically, only one place of work is covered. If you travel to a number of places for work you may well need the next level of cover. 

3. Personal Business use (SDPC+business use)

This third class of cover includes everything in the first two, plus business-related driving. For example, travelling to more than one location for business purposes. You can also include your spouse or a named driver if they also use the car for business purposes.
 
Some insurance providers will ask for more details so they can assess how much driving you’ll be doing. From that they can work out the risk and your business car insurance  premium.  

Be aware though that this class of cover doesn’t include making business deliveries of any kind. 

Why class of use matters

When an insurance provider calculates your car insurance, they will assess your risk of being involved in an accident. 

Commuting to work for example, could involve being on the roads at the busiest times, so you’d be exposed to more risk than if you were driving for purely social reasons.

Similarly, if you’re up and down the motorways visiting different offices, you’re likely to be exposed to greater risk.

For an insurance provider, the greater the risk, the higher the premium they will charge. For this reason, business class of use is going to cost more.

naedanger

Hasbeen said:

Joseph_Merrick said:

So a quick update for anyone interested in following the outcome from this, and a thank you to those who had positive things to say and who offered advice.
I have determined the cost of the additional commute cover would have added only about £20 for the entire year. This was on top of a policy that cost just under £1200, that my step-daughter paid in full (not installments). I think everybody (even the most pious of doubters that have responded) can agree that she was not trying to save money by falsely stating her usage.
The second point is quite interesting: although the schedule and certificate state 'social, domestic and pleasure' use, nowhere in any of the other policy documentation do they define what S,D&P includes or excludes. Nor are there definitions for any type of usage. Whilst I know that assumption is not a strong legal footing, it does add weight to our plea for reconsideration of the claim on the grounds of the amount of premium paid and the lack of clarity on cover. Indeed armed with the knowledge that other insurers allow commuting on their S,D&P use, then it is reasonable to at least expect a definition from 1st Choice.
I have spoken to 1st Choice who, I have to say, are very professional and easy to deal with. They have outlined the required timescales for handling our complaint and have taken full details of everything that may impact upon a review. We are expecting a call within 3 days from a claim manager to go over the case and I will update again when I get any more news.

 do not know of any Insurance company's that allows Commuting on a SDP policy

Churchill and Direct Line said drivers are covered for commutes within their SDP policy definition. 
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/11168860/not-covered-car-insurance-commute-work/

csgohan4

Joseph_Merrick said:

csgohan4 said:

As Thurg has pointed out, the more expensive the brand, the more expensive the insurance generally. Nothing wrong with having a BMV, Mercedes or Audi, but as long as your aware of the costs of this as well. 

I have no shame in having several 1k old bangers. This is a money saving website after all. I would rather squirrel away that extra 20k for that brand new finance car, for a house deposit or emergency. But everyone is different.  You reap what you sow

The piety of some of the respondents beggars belief. "You reap what you sow" directs the reader to automatically assume wrong doing on the part of my step-daughter and that, by her actions and unfortunate result, she got what she deserved. Why should a young woman who works hard, has been promoted several times already in her current job due to her hard-working nature and outgoing personality, be branded as a wrongdoer? The fact that her insurance premium cost more than your old bangers does not make her wrong or bad; she just has different priorities in life to yours. I am glad you are comfortable in your miserliness and hopefully one day you can take to your grave a coffin full gold, feeling proud what you've achieved in life. No ghosts of Christmas past, present and future to shake you from your righteous path. For the rest of us, who are we to judge how someone should live their life? As my grandmother always said, and she knew a thing or two about human kindness, if you cannot say something nice, don't say anything at all.

you mis read my post, my comment was in regards to money saving and the reason why I drove old bangers. 
As I said nothing wrong with driving expensive brands, personal choice. Good for you have a nice car

However the crux of the matter is:

Your step daughter did not read or acknowledge her policy does not cover commuting ? correct?

You are at the mercy of the insurers to accept this 'error' But as the insurer in question is a budget one, I wouldn't be surprised if they refused and they are within their right to not cover

you mention' I feel is, trick her out of a claim by providing so many different layers of options that there is always a loophole for them.'
- So basically she didn't read through the options and just bought a policy without thinking carefully through the options? and now you yourself are trying to find your own loopholes for them to cover you by going down the duty of care route? It goes both ways as well. 

Why do insurers have a duty of care to drivers who do not read the policy carefully? It is generally initiation only policies, not advised policies. Of course if you go through the phone with them it would be more expensive premium. 

k12479

Joseph_Merrick said:

I have determined the cost of the additional commute cover would have added only about £20 for the entire year. This was on top of a policy that cost just under £1200, that my step-daughter paid in full (not installments). I think everybody (even the most pious of doubters that have responded) can agree that she was not trying to save money by falsely stating her usage.

How has this figure of £20 been determined? If it was the difference between quotes for SD&P and SDP&C from the time, then it begs the question of why SDP&C wasn't taken out then. If it's been obtained now, through a dummy quote or conversation with the insurer, then that doesn't prove anything - people often assume Commuting or Business use will cost a lot and hence purposely under-insure. So no, we cannot agree that.