Trouble in France.

[Glenowen]

Can anyone provide sound advice, please?

We are motorhoming on Ile de Re at the moment and I have had an accident - not in the vehicle - where I have broken my arm, which is now in plaster. The insurance company are refusing to repatriate the vehicle to the UK on the grounds that my wife is entered on the policy as a driver, although she has never driven it - we only acquied it last year - and is extremely reluctant to do so now, for the first time, in France.

Does anyone know roughly how much it would cost to repatriate a small MH from Western France to Northern England? And recommend a particular company?

Our only other feasible solution is to find a storage site on Ile de Re, fly home to England and then for me to return to Ile de Re, in 5 or 6 weeks, when my injury has healed and plaster cast removed to retrieve the MH. My initial online search for a storage site on the Ile has drawn a blank, so any recommendations or advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[yodeli]

If she is frightened of driving it then she shouldn't be on the insurance as a named driver, something people do this purely to get lower premiums, but obviously with the risk of no insurance provided relief driver, that's part of the reason that it's cheaper as the risk of the insurer having to provide one is less and therefore less likely they'd have to foot the bill.

We don't have this here, not that I'm aware anyway.

 

[Howard B]

Go find it! I'm not your ruddy PA and am too busy sunning myself by a lake in France!

I have looked, i cant see anything hence why i asked you to point it out.
Genuinely interested if it is UK law.

 

[3 cabbages]

Can't believe that people would drive with a broken arm. Don't you care about other people using the road?

There.s no arm in it!

 

[Carpmart]

It’s very simple really, unless the arm is a displaced fracture, it doesn’t stop the arm from working, it’s just a little painful. Have a paracetamol or two and get on with it!

So, get the dremmel out with slitting disc, cut down both sides of the cast and start using the arm a bit… it will aid healing through better circulation, prevent muscle wastage through immobilisation and you can put the cast on in bed with some tape around it so you don’t bash it in the middle of the night.

Driving may be a little painful, but I fail to see how it will invalidate the insurance? Suddenly getting the cast of and miraculously being fit to drive is a load of old tosh… as said, your muscles mass will have diminished so much that you are less fit to drive than when you had the broken arm.

I’m not a medical practitioner or anything, so all above is IMHO only.

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

So long as she isn't on the insurance no problem but if she is you could find yourself in the same situation as the op.

No she’s not

 

[Tombola]

I’m not a medical practitioner or anything, so all above is IMHO only.

this is the best line Ive ever read on here

 

[Carpmart]

this is the best line Ive ever read on here

Delighted to oblige

 

[Tombola]

Delighted to oblige

reminded me of the
"take this twice a day luv, and if it doesnt feel better soon come back for more"

but Im not a professional doctor or anything

 

[Carpmart]

Tombola - all the motorcycle lads who used to compete alongside the race championship I competed in did what I was alluding to, hence my pearls of wisdom!

They would be bashed up, broken arms etc and two weeks later I’d see them in the paddock and they would be racing again, ‘toughing it out’ then only sleeping in the cast, be working all week etc too! Hard buggers.

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[Tombola]

Tombola - all the motorcycle lads who used to compete alongside the race championship I competed in did what I was alluding to, hence my pearls of wisdom!

They would be bashed up, broken arms etc and two weeks later I’d see them in the paddock and they would be racing again, ‘toughing it out’ then only sleeping in the cast, be working all week etc too! Hard buggers.

oh, dont get me wrong....I agree, and was nodding along while reading the dremmel etc, Id probably do the same and get home (apparently lawfully wrong of course)...
but I cracked up with the last bit...perfect ...

 

[Minxy]

I have looked, i cant see anything hence why i asked you to point it out.
Genuinely interested if it is UK law.

There's nothing that specifically states you can't drive with a cast however there are rules on being in full control of a vehicle etc which would apply, this website is informative on the safety aspect

driving in a cast » theplasterroom

theplasterroom.co.uk

 

[JockandRita]

with the greatest respect to all, if the OP wanted all the experts to tell home she could or should drive it I am not surprised he may have disappeared. If he or his wife thought they could manage he may not of posed the question.

Instead some of the offhand comment’s may have diminished the confidence. So not even though well meaning not helpful.

Sorry, but I can't help thinking that the majority of folks responding were doing so in good faith, ie, they all thought they were giving supportive advice, which was all well meant.......................even if not received as such.

We have a cottage just south of Limoges were not there but if the OP could get it there you are most welcome to leave it in our garden and we could probably arrange for someone to drop them at Limoge airpor

Now you're talking, ie, a very generous offer to folks in need of help, whom you've never met or spoken to before. That is extremely considerate of you. Nice one.

Glenowen, I hope you are both doing okay.
Have you seen the great offers of help put forward to you by others, mostly from folks whom you don't know, but as Fellow Funsters, they are willing to go out of their way to help you both?

Please respond to them.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[RedFrame]

When I fractured my shoulder last year I was told if I drive I would invalidate my insurance!

By who....

Shoulder is not an arm is it

No, it's not, a broken arm takes 6-8 weeks to heal, a broken shoulder 4-7 months and is  far more incapacitating. I know because I broke my shoulder last March and had an arm in plaster in the past.

There's nothing that specifically states you can't drive with a cast however there are rules on being in full control of a vehicle etc which would apply, this website is informative on the safety aspect

driving in a cast » theplasterroom

theplasterroom.co.uk

So it's not "illegal" and you could be "insured", you just need to speak to your doctor and phone the insurance...?

Cheers
Red.

 

[eddie]

with the greatest respect to all, if the OP wanted all the experts to tell home she could or should drive it I am not surprised he may have disappeared. If he or his wife thought they could manage he may not of posed the question. Instead some of the offhand comment’s may have diminished the confidence. So not even though well meaning not helpful. We have a cottage just south of Limoges were not there but if the OP could get it there you are most welcome to leave it in our garden and we could probably arrange for someone to drop them at Limoge airpor

So why expect an insurance company to pick up the bill when a named driver is capable to drive, but unwilling?

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[gus-lopez]

Genuinely interested if it is UK law.

No it isn't.
I've never even heard of anyone with breaks being told not to drive?

 

[RedFrame]

No it isn't.
I've never even heard of anyone with breaks being told not to drive?

Last year the Consultant obviously knew I rode bikes a) From the cause of the damage and b) From our conversations about bikes.

He never once advised me not to drive, or ride... Bearing in mind I couldn't use my Right arm at all for 2/3 months.

He did look at me with disapproval when I told him I'd been out on the bike, but certainly didn't tell me I couldn't...

Cheers
Red.

 

[Bessy765]

So why expect an insurance company to pick up the bill when a named driver is capable to drive, but unwilling?

Not quite sure where you comment is valid? But for the avoidance of doubt. The op states quite clearly that given the circumstances the insurance will not cover the cost of getting them and the van home as an insured driver is present. So the op asks if anyone knows a soloution Such as storing the van or hiring a driver. As Everyman and his dog whilst well meaning suggest she should have a go at driving, that’s not what the op asked. It was solutions for his situation. I offered that if he could get the van to our garden in France although we are in the UK leave it there at no charge and try to get one of my friends to drop him at Limoges airport in an effort to keep the costs that will be incurred down to a minimum. At no time was claiming from his insurance mentioned as he is not covered. So where does the insurance company come into it. My wife is on our insurance as a second driver, she does not drive the van but when we put the van on a site in the UK so my son and his family who doe not have a C1 can use it she stays with them. The wording from the insurance compant states if the van is not at the insured home or storage facility when being use if and insured person is not with the van should anything happen we are not covered.

 

[eddie]

Not quite sure where you comment is valid? But for the avoidance of doubt. The op states quite clearly that given the circumstances the insurance will not cover the cost of getting them and the van home as an insured driver is present.

The insurance company are refusing to repatriate the vehicle to the UK on the grounds that my wife is entered on the policy as a driver, although she has never driven

So to ”refuse” they have had to be ‘asked’

Hence my totally valid and relevant question:-

So why expect an insurance company to pick up the bill when a named driver is capable to drive, but unwilling?

 

[Bessy765]

Not to belabour the question but if the op was unsure and simply posed the question to his insurer. They quite rightly refused cover. But if you don’t ask you don't get but a simple is there anyway you can help me such as suggestions how to overcome the problem does not indicate he was trying or expecting his company to cover the expense?

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[eddie]

Not to belabour the question but if the op was unsure and simply posed the question to his insurer. They quite rightly refused cover. But if you don’t ask you don't get but a simple is there anyway you can help me such as suggestions how to overcome the problem does not indicate he was trying or expecting his company to cover the expense?

Well that’s the great thing about forums, opinions, sometimes agreeing and in this case total disagreement, doesn’t make me right, it doesn’t make me wrong, nor you!

What is a fact, was if the wife wouldn’t drive the motorhome, so not named as a ‘driver’ the insurance company would repatriate the van.

Perhaps a lesson for others?

 

[Bessy765]

Too true Eddie, I am sure that this is not the first or indeed the last time someone may be caught out by the small print. I myself got caught out in when we insured our first A class I asked the broker is my windscreen fully covered as I am aware they are expensive. The reply was yes you are fully covered, on receiving the documents via email I only printed out the certificate. 2 years later driving along loud crack split at bottom of windscreen. Not repairable new screen required. Rang the broker ok we will organise a replacement can you pay the £99 excess so we can order it. Couple of weeks later get a phone call screens in stock and to arrange fitting, date set was then asked for £2100 to enable them to attend (driving down from Portsmouth To fit it. Having taken a breath said I have paid the excess and am fully covered. So ran the broker they explained I was fully covered up to their maximum of £500 any more I would have to pay the difference. Much arguing later they said opps you are covered up to £1000 so pay £1600 and they would authorise the fitting.
As they say read the small print.

 

[JockandRita]

What is a fact, was if the wife wouldn’t drive the motorhome, so not named as a ‘driver’ the insurance company would repatriate the van.

Rita said from day one back in 2005, that she would never drive the MH, so she has never been named on the policy. When asked, I tell the insurers that she is not qualified to drive that class of vehicle. There is never anyone else with us who is qualified, so they can't get away with not providing a driver, or repatriating the vehicle.

Too true Eddie, I am sure that this is not the first or indeed the last time someone may be caught out by the small print. I myself got caught out in when we insured our first A class I asked the broker is my windscreen fully covered as I am aware they are expensive. The reply was yes you are fully covered, on receiving the documents via email I only printed out the certificate. 2 years later driving along loud crack split at bottom of windscreen. Not repairable new screen required. Rang the broker ok we will organise a replacement can you pay the £99 excess so we can order it. Couple of weeks later get a phone call screens in stock and to arrange fitting, date set was then asked for £2100 to enable them to attend (driving down from Portsmouth To fit it. Having taken a breath said I have paid the excess and am fully covered. So ran the broker they explained I was fully covered up to their maximum of £500 any more I would have to pay the difference. Much arguing later they said opps you are covered up to £1000 so pay £1600 and they would authorise the fitting.
As they say read the small print.

Yep, I nearly got caught out myself when renewing the insurance, as they were only quoting for a Fiat cab replacement windscreen. Now I ensure I have "unlimited glass cover" for our A Class.

Glenowen. Any good news or updates to your predicament?

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Thanks to the info on here previously I took my wife off the insurance as she will never drive again ,it cost something like a £50 increase in premium.
it’s something that ALL on here in a similar situation should be made aware of

 

[MisterB]

reminded me of the
"take this twice a day luv, and if it doesnt feel better soon come back for more"

but Im not a professional doctor or anything

Not as good as

I'm not a real gynecologist but I'll have a bloody good look .....

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[Dolmen]

So to ”refuse” they have had to be ‘asked’

Hence my totally valid and relevant question:-

OP asked insurance, they said no, he asked forum for help and we wallowed in how wonderful our own wife's are and gave valuable advice on insurance small print, showed no empathy for his wife's particular circumstances, knew no companies who could repatriate him and were unable to help him. Think I can see why the OP has pulled out the thread. Out of interest is this a wife only problem or do you wife's out there have husband problems?

 

[CamperManLez]

Can anyone provide sound advice, please?

We are motorhoming on Ile de Re at the moment and I have had an accident - not in the vehicle - where I have broken my arm, which is now in plaster. The insurance company are refusing to repatriate the vehicle to the UK on the grounds that my wife is entered on the policy as a driver, although she has never driven it - we only acquied it last year - and is extremely reluctant to do so now, for the first time, in France.

Does anyone know roughly how much it would cost to repatriate a small MH from Western France to Northern England? And recommend a particular company?

Our only other feasible solution is to find a storage site on Ile de Re, fly home to England and then for me to return to Ile de Re, in 5 or 6 weeks, when my injury has healed and plaster cast removed to retrieve the MH. My initial online search for a storage site on the Ile has drawn a blank, so any recommendations or advice would be very much appreciated.

Do you have a friend in the uk who could fly in and drive it back? One way flight ticket + some other transport.

 

[eddie]

OP asked insurance, they said no, he asked forum for help and we wallowed in how wonderful our own wife's are and gave valuable advice on insurance small print, showed no empathy for his wife's particular circumstances, knew no companies who could repatriate him and were unable to help him. Think I can see why the OP has pulled out the thread. Out of interest is this a wife only problem or do you wife's out there have husband problems?

Perhaps its a generation thing, but I don’t think my wife is wonderful as she can drive, she is a functioning human being that can do pretty much anything I can do, and more things I can’t do.

I do however think my wife is wonderfu!

Your 100% right, I have no sympathy for someone who is put forward as a named driver in an insurance contract, for presumably some personal advantage (otherwise why bother?) who, when in a time of need, refuses to drive.

The OP said that they bought the van last year, plenty of time for his wife to have practiced, or even taken some training if she was nervous about driving the van, allowing her to build up some confidence so, in a emergency such as this they would be fine.

 

[RedFrame]

OP asked insurance, they said no, he asked forum for help and we wallowed in how wonderful our own wife's are and gave valuable advice on insurance small print, showed no empathy for his wife's particular circumstances, knew no companies who could repatriate him and were unable to help him. Think I can see why the OP has pulled out the thread. Out of interest is this a wife only problem or do you wife's out there have husband problems?

A pity you see it that way, sometimes debate will produce solutions that had not been thought of.

I seem to remember at least 3 people offering alternative assistance, to that requested, within the thread.

Cheers
Red.

 

[eddie]

A pity you see it that way, sometimes debate will produce solutions that had not been thought of.

I seem to remember at least 3 people offering alternative assistance, to that requested, within the thread.

Cheers
Red.

I agree, and, if anyone else is travelling abroad, with a reluctant or unwilling driver, either let the unwilling practice, building up their confidence, take some professional training, or take them off as a named driver to avoid a similar fate in the event of the main driver being incapacitated.

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[Tombola]

I agree, and, if anyone else is travelling abroad, with a reluctant or unwilling driver, either let the unwilling practice, building up their confidence, take some professional training, or take them off as a named driver to avoid a similar fate in the event of the main driver being incapacitated.

and therein lies the reason for this forum...

a good little nugget of advice for anyone reading the forum and has a worried driver for a partner