What do you advise - disclosure (1 Viewer)

[mojo]

Hi all
What do you think would be the correct way to deal with this unusual van insurance dilemma?

Insured van April 2018 for max 8,000 miles pa.Speedo showed 22,000 at the time.
Shipped van to USA July 2018 to 4 Feb 2019.Did 17500 miles.Insured with American company.
Speedo today shows 42,000 miles.
So far whilst in UK and under standard insurance it has been only 2,500 miles expected to rise to 4,000 miles by renewal in April.

Do I ring and disclose the above or just renew in April.?

 

[David and Sally]

For my bob's worth, the added miles were done under a differenr insurance/risk policy. You have done under their 'risk' miles in the UK so they have not been under any added risk so they should be happy. I assume you contracted the policy miles in UK and Europe and that's what you have stuck to.

But, and there is always a but. If you hade a serious accident and they checked miles against service records you would have some explaining to do. They will use any ploy at all to refuse payouts and even void the policy.

Personally I would call them, explain the situation and see their reaction. If they get stroppy, change insurers.

 

[DJA]

Hi @mojo

My inclination is to declare it now as if nothing else they cannot refuse to cover in event of an accident which would be a problem for you and could be a very much bigger problem for someone else. You would have to prove you did all those miles in the US which may not be as easy as you think especially if they are looking to get out of covering you.

Its there not some difficulties about a vehicle being insured with more than one insurer at the same time.

Doug

 

[Geo]

Full and frank disclosure is the only option now you have committed your story to the public domain
You might have got away with a speedo swop excuse

 

[2657]

My insurer always asks for speedo reading, so non disclosure is not an option but as others have said full disclosure and explain the circumstances with proof if necessary.

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[David and Sally]

Hi @mojo



Its there not some difficulties about a vehicle being insured with more than one insurer at the same time.

Doug

I don't think so. Whilst in US he was insured by the US company and not the UK one as their policy did not extend to the US - hence the need for a US policy.

The UK company should be grateful in that whilst he was in the US they were not under risk so have had a free ride for that period.

 

[Two on Tour]

Ring your insurance company and ask to increase your mileage limit on your policy and pay the extra for it.
With our classic cars we have a restricted mileage policies and we can increase the mileage limit with a phone call and a credit card.

 

[tacr2man]

I don't see what problem there is with just emailing (so you have a record) and advising them of current speedo reading and asking them to update their records , and stating what mileage was at beginning of US trip . Informing them none of the mileage was undertaken on their "policy risk" so you have complied with the terms of your policy .
Dont make a mountain out of a molehill . Going this route you are immediately negating any challenge of attempt to deceive .

 

[Polobonnie100]

Your MoT certificate also has a record of mileage - if you have one. The insurers will no doubt, have access to that.

 

[tuscancouple]

Probably all academic now as they too use this website, so they already know

Mick

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[normanandsue]

I presume you have details of your American Insurance, which can be produced to prove time and extent of American Insurance.
Having this should (Not could, not will) be proof enough of your mileage increase. I agree with all the above comments saying full disclosure is the only safe path to tread.

I know someone who tried to circumvent their insurance mileage quote and had to bear the cost of the loss of their motorhome that was in excess of £100K. Moral don't mess with insurance companies

 

[iandsm]

I think any advice not to fully disclose if foolhardy. It does not matter where the miles were covered, they were still covered. Non disclosure is a perfect recipe for a refused claim n the event one needs to be made and in any case what would be the advantage of non disclosure.

 

[gus-lopez]

Its there not some difficulties about a vehicle being insured with more than one insurer at the same time.

They'll tell you there is but legally ,there isn't just comes under 'shared liability' .If 2 they halve it if 20 , 5% each. They just don't want the aggro or disputes between each other. It's like a monopoly

I' d go down the route that @tacr2man stated via email .Additionally you also have the thread on here as proof of the mileage done in the states

 

[Podney]

The correct way is to tell them all the facts.

Why have the worry if you have to claim at some point? Not worth the potential aggravation in my opinion. The extra cost probably won’t break the bank.

 

[tacr2man]

Further to my original post , I do not foresee that they can make any demand for extra , indeed its financially in their favour as they haven't been carrying the risk whilst you have been stateside.

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[Geo]

Some on here seem to think insurance companies have a sense of fairness or a conscience even
Non Disclose is a perfectly valid reason for cancelling a policy regardless of who benefits from it
It seems the Op intended to avoid any payment due to the UK Company rightly or wrongly
Or at best was confused as to the best course of action (my preferred reason)
He should rectify his misgivings without delay before this post has a more serious knock on for him

 

[Chris]

I agree with @Geo

Just tell the truth

 

[suavecarve]

I don't think so. Whilst in US he was insured by the US company and not the UK one as their policy did not extend to the US - hence the need for a US policy.

The UK company should be grateful in that whilst he was in the US they were not under risk so have had a free ride for that period.

I just cant see what is wrong with this idea. It makes perfect sense. Full disclosure stating that it was out of the juristiction of their parish.

I might be tempted to record a conversation with them first. "Hi I am thinking of taking my van to the USA, is it insured ? would i have to get extra insurance ? what happens if i increase my mileage whilst in the USA where my miles wont count on your insurance?". Once they answer, Robert is the brother of your mother

 

[mojo]

Hi all
Talked to insurance company this afternoon .They think it's a strange question.Refering to underwriter . Await their take on the subject.

 

[Podney]

By strange,they probably mean unusual. Which it is. Their problem,and therefore yours,will be finding someone in the company that has a brain,and has the sphericals to make a sensible decision.

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[Theonlysue]

Insurance isnt like it used to be, with underwriters making informed decisions.
They're all robots now

 

[mojo]

By strange,they probably mean unusual. Which it is. Their problem,and therefore yours,will be finding someone in the company that has a brain,and has the sphericals to make a sensible decision.

Yes it could be a simple thing to sort but more likely they will want money for all the American miles.Maybe they would be happy to start a new policy at todays milage

 

[TheBig1]

you have evidence that the extra miles were put on in America. your shipping documents to and from

 

[mojo]

Yes all documents and photographs of Speedo at docks both ways with place and dates on the photos info tag.

 

[MikeD]

There is nothing fair in Insurance companies or really anything even near to any word that might mean something like fair.

I strongly suspect they will just think you have declared a annual milage of eight thousand miles to get a lower annual premium but have actually driven a couple of tens of thousands miles regardless of where the milage took place.

They will just think fraud.

I also suspect you may even have a increase in the premium for this years policy yet alone next years.

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[Wildbill]

turn the speedo back

 

[tacr2man]

Yes it could be a simple thing to sort but more likely they will want money for all the American miles.Maybe they would be happy to start a new policy at todays mileage

I don't see how they can make a charge for miles when they were not at risk , they would not have entertained a claim . I would email here if such a thing is suggested .
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/