Highway Car Insurance - HIGHWAY ROBBERY ????

[Sophie-Jane]

Hi

I am enquiring if anyone else has had this problem

I have, or should I say Had and American Vehicle, Now after sending it to an approved repairer, its been written off - now get this, The head light is not available in the UK, Hey its an USA made vehicle

Its a Grand Dodge Caravan, 3.3ltr Automatic 1992, Good condition, basically a Gas Guzzler

I replaced the the head lights last year for the MOT, at a cost of around £40.

Now get this, the car is a 7 Seater, Non or next to non available in the UK market, now they have / had valued the Market Value at £800 less £200 excess

They have increased their offer aparently, By information from my Broker to £1500 less the excess, which was supposed to be in the post on the 19th April 2006, its now the 24th April 2006, still no cheque, A delaying tactic I suppose

If you have had similar problems, either european vehicle or Especially US made vehicles, please let me know, maybe some action against these Insurance companies to PAY when you insure your vehicle and have an accident

Not that we go out and crash our car just for the fun of it.

Regards
Sophie

[craigwalton]

It would be in your best interests looking on American Websites to see if there is a similar age model for sale over there with similar mileage, then adding the cost of shipping over to England. The Insurance company have made an offer to you. As you disagree with the figure, you need to substantiate your higher figure. The costs of shipping over will be extortionate, and highly unlikely Highway will agree to this. However, the ball is back in their court, and the FOS will look favourably on you trying to negotiate a settlement with the Insurance Company.

Good luck

[Sophie-Jane]

Hi Craig

Many thanks for that info, I had done a search on US Prices, and found that around $1300 - $1400 was the price for a vehicle of similar milage and spec, and also did advise them of the extra costs of importing it.

It seems that I have been trod on by Highway, and I have stated in a email to my brokers, who have also passed it on to Highway, that I do intend to take this further, ie Papers and court if needed.

They have until Wednesday to come up with a reasonable offer, so watch out for HIGHWAY Robbery in the news, it could be Highway Insurance

Thanks again
Sophie

[Sophie-Jane]

I Knew IT

Here is a quote from HIGHWAY

"We have been unable to find any identical vehicle for sale in this country, but have found examples from the USA selling round $1100 - 1500. Taking this into account the engineer feels the vehicle would fetch slightly more in this country, I must confirm however that we do not cover import costs/taxes."


I Buy a USA car, A 1992, 7 Seater Grand Dodge Caravan - Similar to the Chrysler Voyager, Now I have an accident, so I either want a replacement or repairs

Told by Repair Centre, Cannot get Lights, Cost me last year for MOT £40

So basically a write off, couse they cannot import goods from outside the UK ???????

So I get offered £800 at first, then less the excess.

Its a 7 Seater Vehicle, How can you expect me to buy another for £800 ?????????????

Now they have increased their offer to £1500, Still not enough to buy a 7 Seater

They are non for sale in the UK, so they can only come up with a value from the US, Add the import duties and taxes etc etc, now you would not get change out of £4000, I insured the car for £5000 around 2 1/2 yrs ago.

They have not heard the last of this

[craigwalton]

Good on you!!!

Another thought - With it being an import I had a look on a Highway intermediary's website, and they were unable to locate a Dodge Grand / Dodge Caravan - it might be worth you while asking what vehicle they have rated it on - If the underwriter is unable to find a vehicle they will rate it the same as a vehicle on their system. If it is the Chryslar Voyager you may be entitled to ask why are the underwriters classing your vehicle as a Voyager at proposal, but not at the claim stage.

good luck

[Sophie-Jane]

Hi Craig

They have based the value on the market value of the USA cars of similar spec

But as in the quote, they will not pay Importing the vehicle and the associated taxes etc etc

I insure a vehicle with a specialist insurance broker, I therefore would expect that If it needed repairing after a accident, that they would use USA parts.

Am I wrong that Insurance repairers are supposed to use parts from the Main dealers, i.e ford vehicles use ford parts etc ?

[craigwalton]

I would say that they dont have to use dealer parts, parts that are of an exact quality and appearance would be acceptable, but that is just a guess.

Sorry I couldn't be more help