Problems with my insurance company

[KLP 92]

Just got a phonecall from my insurance company today. Apparently due to the fact that i'm under 25 years of age they can no longer insure me on my Brabus coupe. I've spent the last 3 hours arguing with them because they've insured me on the vehicle for the last 6 months with no problem whatsoever. I have had nno convictions or made any claims either. just one phonecall out of the blue saying i'm not insured anymore and that they will be returning the balance of the insurance back to me.
Are they allowed to do this? They knew from day 1 that the car was a Brabus coupe but didn't twig till now?? They basically admitted it was their fault but the underwriters would no longer insure me on such a specialist performance vehicle.
I've tried ringing other insurance companies but either the insurance quotes are sky high or they won't insure me till i'm 25.
Any ideas where i legally stand? They have basically told me that they reserve the right to cancel or refuse anyone insurance at their discretion. As it stands the car is useless to me unles i can legally drive it! Apart from selling it (after spending over £5k on it) what options do i have?

 

[andyw]

have you also got the E55 insured? I would imagine they would be similar insurance groups!??

 

[Flash]

Unfortuantely, they have the right to refuse/cancel the policy at anytime at their discretion - its in the small print.

Try insuring the vehicle under i.e. ur father's name temporialy until you turn 25 rather then get rid of the car.

However, you could try complaining to the inusurance association (cannot remeber their name but will probbaly be a waste of time as they take too long to reply). Details will be in your policy booklet.

Flash

 

[KLP 92]

E55 is insured. But the thing is that in 1989 when the Brabus was made the car started its life as a 300CE and left the Merc factory in Germany to the Brabus factory in Germany. Although it is a factory Brabus car the modifications are classed as aftermarket. Another problem with it is that there were only 4-5 RHD coupes produced for the UK so its hard for the insurance companies to give you a quote because they basically don't know what it is.

 

[KLP 92]

Try insuring the vehicle under i.e. ur father's name temporialy until you turn 25 rather then get rid og the car.

However, you could try complainign to the inusurance association (cannot remeber their nam ebut will probbaly be a waste of time as they take too long to reply).

Flash

Problem is i'm not 25 for some time yet! My dad prefers his S class to be honest so its not going to get used. I bought the car because it i could drive it, so its pointless having a car if you can't drive it.

 

[Shude]

have you also got the E55 insured? I would imagine they would be similar insurance groups!??

E55 = factory high-volume production-line produced car
Brabus W124 = aftermarket tuned unknown quantity limited production one-off.

See if you can get the Brabus insured as a classic car with limited mileage allowance.

 

[KLP 92]

E55 = factory high-volume production-line produced car
Brabus W124 = aftermarket tuned unknown quantity limited production one-off.

See if you can get the Brabus insured as a classic car with limited mileage allowance.

Thats the only way i got insured on it in the first place!
I must have rung a good 30 insurance companies, brokers etc. Still no joy!

 

[Flash]

KLP - PM ur age and rough location and some details on car i.e. mods,bhp,value/year etc (I will forward them on to someone who I now is a broker and see if we can get any joy - what figure/quote are we looking to beat match?)

Flash

 

[Thmsshaun]

Have you tried Adrian Flux thought they insured anyone on anything with anymods.

Or how about a company specialising in kit cars?

 

[KLP 92]

just sent a PM.
Cheapest so far is just over the £2k mark. I was currently paying under £1k

 

[KLP 92]

Have you tried Adrian Flux thought they insured anyone on anything with anymods.

Or how about a company specialising in kit cars?

Its the age to be honest. Brabus + under 25 = phone being hanged up!

 

[Thmsshaun]

just sent a PM.
Cheapest so far is just over the £2k mark. I was currently paying under £1k

Id have thought 2k is reasonable for that motor and your age. Im 24 and am looking at around £1100 on a C36

 

[KLP 92]

Its on a limited mileage policy of 1500 miles and must be kept in a locked garage at night and has a £650 excess!

 

[Thmsshaun]

Ahh see what your saying now that £1100 was for a standard mileage fully comp on the street.

1500 is some limited mileage. Anyway good luck. It would be a shame if you had to sell. Its a stunning machine.

Not to jealous

 

[KLP 92]

Well just spoke to my insurance and they have given me 7 days of cover so i can take out another policy.

 

[Shude]

Well just spoke to my insurance and they have given me 7 days of cover so i can take out another policy.

Oh well that's generous of them!

Could it not be insured as a 300CE with mods?

 

[KLP 92]

Oh well that's generous of them!

Could it not be insured as a 300CE with mods?

Already tried, no joy!

 

[MSG2004]

That was very kind of them!

did you not investigate how much the insurance would cost you before you bought the car and what if you had later received points on your licence.

you say that no one else will insure you or sky high dosh. This must of been the same when you first insured the car and did bells not start ringing why was so cheap?
i know of a few people that buy cars and have no idea of the running costs or if things went slightly wrong and then they have to sell or drive around uninsured.

 

[Shude]

Could you not get a "private fleet" policy to cover all of your vehicles?

 

[Will]

How much would a 'trader's' type insurance policy cost you? Obviously not cheap, but maybe (possibly) cheaper than the Brabus, E55, C250 etc...

Plus the bonus of if you change cars frequently ( ) etc...

Disappointing that you cannot find somewhere to insure it under a classic policy - the renewal for my (now sold) 190E 2.3-16 was only £300 or so.

Good Luck,

Will