Invalid motor insurance in Amber Countries

[DebsD]

Morning all. We're due to travel to France to purchase a property and are staying in a rental property there for 6 months whilst we do so. We have a year long visa, medical insurance and thought we'd jumped through all the hoops and cut through all the red tape so all ready to go........until.......

Speaking to my insurance company they say if a country is on the UK Amber list and the FCDO office say essential travel only, the motor insurance is void. This is regardless of the fact that purchasing/ travelling to a main residence (we sold our house here so it will be our main residence) is essential travel. Of course, it's also legal to travel to an amber country.

I checked and it is in the small print. I also rang 2 other insurance brokers and they said exactly the same.

Just thought I'd share so other funsters could double check their policies.

 

[Janine]

I have renewed my car insurance today with Aviva. I have trawled through the policy (well, I used the 'find' facility!) and there is no mention of travelling against FCO advice.

 

[DebsD]

I already said I think reducing cover just for CV is lame. But they are pro excuse makers, of course vehicles don't catch Covid, but just off the top of my head, In pandemics garages close, recovery people are short staffed, travel restrictions might be in place making repatriation much more expensive for the insurer. Real extra costs. Far easier to put a clause in about FCO advice

That said, I wouldn't go travelling against FCO advice.

If they said we could drive but had no breakdown cover, that would be fine. But to say we can't drive is what takes the proverbial biscuit

 

[DebsD]

Debsd could you hire a vehicle

I'm not sure. We'd still have to either hire something in the UK that we could then drive in France or, we'd have to take our vehicle to France and hire from there......difficulty being the drive from France to the collection point of the hire vehicle

 

[bellabee]

I posed the question re vehicle cover to our insurer, Saga, last summer, when we travelled through France against Foreign Office advice. They were surprised to be even asked the question and assured us that we were fully covered.

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[Itsmcb]

I'm not sure. We'd still have to either hire something in the UK that we could then drive in France or, we'd have to take our vehicle to France and hire from there......difficulty being the drive from France to the collection point of the hire vehicle

Probably better to cancel with AIB and start a new policy with another, more accommodating, company. Depending on when you took out the policy a percentage refund may well be due.

 

[HectorsHoose]

Morning all. We're due to travel to France to purchase a property and are staying in a rental property there for 6 months whilst we do so. We have a year long visa, medical insurance and thought we'd jumped through all the hoops and cut through all the red tape so all ready to go........until.......

Speaking to my insurance company they say if a country is on the UK Amber list and the FCDO office say essential travel only, the motor insurance is void. This is regardless of the fact that purchasing/ travelling to a main residence (we sold our house here so it will be our main residence) is essential travel. Of course, it's also legal to travel to an amber country.

I checked and it is in the small print. I also rang 2 other insurance brokers and they said exactly the same.

Just thought I'd share so other funsters could double check their policies.

We’re with Safeguard. Spoke to them last week & they’re policy is ‘they don’t care what government Covid restrictions are in place as the vehicle can’t catch it!’ So reassured me that we are fully covered.

 

[gus-lopez]

Yes but premiums haven't gone down even though use of vehicles has and I'm sure claims have been a fraction of a normal year........

I'm sure I raed earlier this year that theft of motor vehicles was up 30% ? Seems odd when people are all working from home back then¿

 

[Minxy]

I'd be tempted to write the the director/owner of AIB and ask them why this has been included and whether it is a mistake on their part and/or their underwriter as I find it difficult to believe that they are doing it when no-one else appears to be, all it's going to do is lose them business.

 

[Abacist]

I take it that the extract is taken from a motor policy and not a travel policy where I would expect such wording to be!

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[Keep Right On]

So first to c;larify, I was not referring OP or her post as Tosh....

secondly, I believe these conditions are probably taken out of context - some policies have conditions that apply policy wide and others to specific parts of the cover and from the copy of the exclusion, it is impossible to tell. In any event, it could be misinterpreted - it refers to FCO (not FCDO) advice banning ALL or NON ESSENTIAL international travel in which case , policyholders should be staying in the UK. It does NOT mention specific territories either.
Who is the insurer that AIB are using - the wording is not at all familiar or in line with anything the Association of British Insurers use.
DebsD - if you would like to email me offline bestcover@knightsure.co.uk , I would love to see a copy of the whole policy and booklet and will give you an honest opinion.
I had to google AIB to see who they were and was shocked to find that despite me being in business in Southampton for over 30 years, I had never come across AIB who are said to be around 20 miles from me.... Darren seems to be the sole Director and 100% shareholder in the business

 

[Chris]

I would have thought that if an insurance company has issued a 'Green Card' they would have to honour at least the Third Party cover in any country listed on it, unless they specifically advised the policyholder that cover was withdrawn. Even then could they withdraw cover if one is already in one of the countries listed. My opinion is they would be estopped from doing so on both points.

Geoff

I anticipate that some new T&C’s have been slipped into policy documents for policy’s issued post March 2020.

 

[DebsD]

I take it that the extract is taken from a motor policy and not a travel policy where I would expect such wording to be!

Yes it's my motorhome policy

 

[gus-lopez]

I anticipate that some new T&C’s have been slipped into policy documents for policy’s issued post March 2020.

what yo mean
#slipperybastardsrus sort of thing.

 

[Chris]

what yo mean
#slipperybastardsrus sort of thing.

Spot on

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[nicholsong]

I anticipate that some new T&C’s have been slipped into policy documents for policy’s issued post March 2020.

So you think that it is not retrospective on extant policies? And that would also apply to extant 'Green Cards'?

My policy is up for renewal when we are in Greece - should be interesting negotiations.

Chris the rest of this is not for you, as I know you understand, but is for public consumption, as I detect a lot of MHomers do not know how the insurance market works, particularly when I see posts that say 'I am insured with' not 'Through', not understanding on which company they rely on to pay in the event of a claim

I find that a lot of these problems can be solved when one can get past the Broker to the Underwriter. Some of these brokers with 'Binders' talk as if they are the ones dictating the policy conditions.

I have recently solved a problem on a policy by insisting that the broker put it to Underwriters.

Just while I am on the subject of distinction of Underwriters and Brokers, I believe the FCA should insist that brokers do not just describe themselves as 'XXX Insurance' but as 'XXX Insurance Brokers.' Further I think that the Underwriters' names should be more prominently displayed than as small print at the bottom of a Certificate. I might even go further and say that all documentation should carry the Underwriters' name and the Broker as correspondent. I am full aware that in small markets the Underwriters do not wish to correspond directly, but that could be made clear.

Chris I will send you a PM.

Geoff

 

[mitzimad]

would have been nice if aib had commented on this post seeing as they are business members

 

[MITHRANDIR]

would have been nice if aib had commented on this post seeing as they are business members

I don't think AIB are very popular with some members at the moment

 

[TDub49]

Morning all. We're due to travel to France to purchase a property and are staying in a rental property there for 6 months whilst we do so. We have a year long visa, medical insurance and thought we'd jumped through all the hoops and cut through all the red tape so all ready to go........until.......

Speaking to my insurance company they say if a country is on the UK Amber list and the FCDO office say essential travel only, the motor insurance is void. This is regardless of the fact that purchasing/ travelling to a main residence (we sold our house here so it will be our main residence) is essential travel. Of course, it's also legal to travel to an amber country.

I checked and it is in the small print. I also rang 2 other insurance brokers and they said exactly the same.

Just thought I'd share so other funsters could double check their policies.

So, I emailed my insurance company and this is their response in answer to a specific question about whether or not my motor insurance would be valid if I travelled to an amber country:

"Good morning,
Thank you for your email, I hope you are well.

If you was to travel abroad against Government guidance it is at your own risk. If you decide to travel abroad, the insurance would still cover you but you may find that Aviva’s ability to assist you in practical terms may be impacted by any domestic or international restrictions in the country you are in (be that arranging local repairs or transportation of the vehicle back home should that be needed following an incident).

You should also check your travel insurance as most are already excluding COVID within their policies. We would recommend you adhere to the Government’s guidance and not travel as the risk would be high."

Obviously not an answer on behalf of the whole motor insurance industry but an answer now filed with my policy.

 

[Minxy]

So, I emailed my insurance company and this is their response in answer to a specific question about whether or not my motor insurance would be valid if I travelled to an amber country:

"Good morning,
Thank you for your email, I hope you are well.

If you was to travel abroad against Government guidance it is at your own risk. If you decide to travel abroad, the insurance would still cover you but you may find that Aviva’s ability to assist you in practical terms may be impacted by any domestic or international restrictions in the country you are in (be that arranging local repairs or transportation of the vehicle back home should that be needed following an incident).

You should also check your travel insurance as most are already excluding COVID within their policies. We would recommend you adhere to the Government’s guidance and not travel as the risk would be high."

Obviously not an answer on behalf of the whole motor insurance industry but an answer now filed with my policy.

Thanks for posting that and the info given is very good but the start of the 2nd sentence really jarred ... "If you was ..."

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[DebsD]

So, I emailed my insurance company and this is their response in answer to a specific question about whether or not my motor insurance would be valid if I travelled to an amber country:

"Good morning,
Thank you for your email, I hope you are well.

If you was to travel abroad against Government guidance it is at your own risk. If you decide to travel abroad, the insurance would still cover you but you may find that Aviva’s ability to assist you in practical terms may be impacted by any domestic or international restrictions in the country you are in (be that arranging local repairs or transportation of the vehicle back home should that be needed following an incident).

You should also check your travel insurance as most are already excluding COVID within their policies. We would recommend you adhere to the Government’s guidance and not travel as the risk would be high."

Obviously not an answer on behalf of the whole motor insurance industry but an answer now filed with my policy.

Interesting response- very much that you can go but they may or may not assist should the worst happen.

 

[TDub49]

Thanks for posting that and the info given is very good but the start of the 2nd sentence really jarred ... "If you was ..."

Aargh. Didn't spot that. So much for fronted adverbials improving the standard . . . . .

 

[Geo]

Thanks for posting that and the info given is very good but the start of the 2nd sentence really jarred ... "If you was ..."

Were you being pedantic ? you was weren't youz

 

[Minxy]

Aargh. Didn't spot that. So much for fronted adverbials improving the standard . . . . .

... don't you go throwing clever words at me you logomaniac!

Were you being pedantic ? you was weren't youz

I didn't criticise the poster so it's allowed! The email would never have been sent if I was in charge of that office!

 

[David and Sally]

I have checked my AIB policy issued by Axa. No mention of the amber stuff or FO advice.

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[wp1234]

I’m also insured with them. Perhaps not next time though. Could they tell you why the vehicle was more likely to claim when being used in an amber country?

I’m insured with AIB(Aviva) they told me two minutes ago that insurance is valid in France when I hope to go next week .

 

[chaser]

Afraid I have only skimmed through this so may have missed something, if most of the criticism with AIBinsurance why don't they just come on and clarify, they are on enough when they are selling something.
Now nfu , you don't get a "green card" it is all on the back of the insurance certificate, well about a year ago they sent a letter saying that that did not apply anymore in Europe.
So that was it, they have never sent anything to say it is now ok.

 

[ianp]

Well I'm certainly no lawyer but that clause looks weak to me for at least two reasons. One being that there is no F&CO anymore and hasn't been since the merger last year and secondly that the travel ban indicated seems to suggest ALL international travel. That is to say that we must all stay in the UK and we know that that is not the case as travel to Oz and NZ are seen to be OK by the UK govt even though they wont let us enter. Therefore there isn't advice against all international travel. If memory serves the only time this was in place was early in the outbreak last year.
It may sound like nit picking but contracts are all about words and there exactitude!

 

[TDub49]

It may sound like nit picking but contracts are all about words and there exactitude!

. . . and who can afford the most expensive lawyers

 

[Cal54]

No green card issued by my insurers either. It’s been replaced with a certificate. The company in question is Protect, and they are currently running a competition on here!

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[The Wino]

I can't see the relevance of having a green card or certificate in whether the insurance is valid in an amber country the two don't seem related at all. The policy always has limitations for example most insurance is invalid if you have an accident under the influence of drugs. Any limitation in the policy will rule a green card invalid.