CAR INSURANCE

Sorry mate pushed the wrong button for the follow up.

My TCIS insurance also came up for renewal recently and I was very unhappy with their service. I wrote them a letter (See Below) and two weeks later have heard nothing back. I'm now looking for other insurance companies who will cover my modified 4WD.

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing as I have recently encountered some problems in my dealings with TCIS Insurance. There are three main issues that I wish to bring to your attention.
Initially, I received no early notice that my car insurance was due. Luckily I was aware of this so I rang TCIS to pay. Whilst I realise you were in the process of changing underwriters I think you should have still notified people if their renewal was coming up — even if the cost wasn’t available at the time.
Despite calling TCIS three weeks prior to my policy being due and calling again with two weeks to go, I was unable to pay. Each time I was told that an operator would call me back, but received no calls. As I was going away on a 4WD trip far from telephone access this was a real problem for me. I was left to call TCIS yet again on the 7th of April but still no luck. My calls were finally returned and I was able to pay on the 8th of April, four days after my old policy expired and the day before my trip.
Finally, after returning from my trip I had a look at my policy. I found that some of the accessories had ‘fallen off’ my insurance policy. I don’t know why this would have happened. A large proportion of the value in my vehicle is in its accessories, so it is important to me that they are correct — luckily I noticed the discrepancy. With this letter I have attached a list of all the accessories currently on my vehicle. The list includes the items that are now on my 2003-2004 policy and the items that ‘disappeared’. There are also a few new items that I have recently added to the car.
Could you please make sure that all of the items listed are added to my insurance. I would also like to remove the ‘windscreen extension’ from my policy. I realise that I will probably have to pay an extra premium for these alterations. Please send me confirmation that I am properly insured for all of my accessories and let me know of any additional payments required.
I have been very happy with your competitive prices and willingness to insure accessories. I hope that I will receive better service next year.
Yours Sincerely,
John Hardwick.

Do AAMI cover you for off road damage and recovery from off road accidents?

What have there been peoples experiences (good or bad) with AAMI or other companies when making claims.

I am looking for decent cover for a Kia Sportage, RACV currently $1260!! TCIS best quote $1140 (agreed value $23000).

ADDIT: TCIS will allow all mods. RACV do not allow you to go "off road", and do not allow you to be a member of 4WD clubs (yes, you heard right!!), should tell the ANFWDC about that one (driver training, tread lightly, etc)

RACV clearly do not want my business.

Gary, you talk from your arse.

RACV came to our 4wd club the other night to give a talk on 4wding and insurance.

And $1140 for a Sportage to insure???????
your under 21, with 320 speeding fines and insurance claims in last 12 yrs!????

Truckster,

4WD club issue was in the ORIGINAL policy I was given. I am 41 yrs old, one 0.05 case 4 years ago (0.067), no other speeding fines in last 5 years, rating two, no claims in the last 5 years, $1260 insurance on financed vehicle - now fully paid off (that's why I'm looking around at insurance). Thinking about it, it may have been the "financed" thing that put so many restrictions on the cover. I might have another talk to the RACV....

I live around a major shopping centre (Chadstone) which puts me in a high risk area too, I guess.

...and also planning spring and body lift with 31-32" tyres.

RACV only cover up to 2" above stock tyre size...pretty bad when you are starting with 205/70R15. Off finance brought it down to $1088.

Bruce, you've got your info TOTALLY wrong. If you bothered to stay and listen like most of us there, you would have been much better informed.
What the RACV were saying on vehicles over 2 tonnes was that in SOME circumstances they were unable to tow vehicles in the event of a breakdown. This is in areas where a large tow truck or flat bed truck isn't available.(this includes members with "extra & total care") If your 4x4 is broken down on a 4x4 track you will have to get your car back onto a 2wd road before any serviceman can assess your vehicle (fair enough in my eyes).
Due to weight limits imposed by occupational health and safety issues, servicemen are no longer able to change heavy 4x4 tyres, UNLESS someone is there to assist them in lifting wheels/tyres.
This has been imposed on them by workcare so that isn't their fault either.
RACV told the club they will be looking at what areas towing may be a problem and WILL INFORM US. Their spokesperson was unequivocal "IF WE ARE ABLE TO HELP YOU, WE WILL."
As for insurance issues, they were just as straightforward and contrary to popular belief, the cover is "Australia wide" The question was asked. Are we covered on 4x4 tracks? YES.
Are we covered on beaches which aren't gazetted tracks? YES.
The main point that everyone has to abide with, and this applies to all insurance companies is the "duty of disclosure"
Tell them "everything" you have changed on your vehicle and put it in writing complete with prices. If they have a problem with something they will tell you.
If you have a problem with someone who doesn't really know what they are talking about, ask to speak to someone with the expertise in your particular area of contention. These people are available and it is your right to ask for this. (we were told this by the spokespeople)
All in all, I have to say I was impressed with their candour.
Regards Andrew.

Do AAMI cover modified vehicles, ie spring/body lifts (height restrictions), larger tyres (>2" above standard), bull/towbars, fixed UHF radios, etc.?

Gary.

from other lists, I would steer clear of them with a modified car..

Asking you for money seems to be their speciality.. Handing it out doesnt :(

Truckster,

I had heard that before...

Future "structural" mods are 2.5" spring lift, 1.6" body lift, and 31-32" tyres over the next 3-6 months so I guess I keep looking....

Truckster and Alex B,

Contacted AAMI (phone and website), $878 in stock trim AND THE SAME in modified condition (as described above), NO limit on tyre height, from enquiry over the phone "...as long as they are all the same size."

Alex B,

Contacted them, asked to get a written reply to the "hard questions". Apologies to "Time" (Savvas) for plagiarising his questions and extending them to be a bit more specific...

----------------------------------

Dear Mr Campbell,

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately due to the modifications made to the vehicle we are unable to offer you insurance.

The reason for this is that in the event of a claim we may not be able to provide you with adequate coverage and we may also not be able to repair the vehicle to its current condition.

To assist you in gaining insurance you may wish to contact Just Car Insurance on 13 13 26 or at www.justcarinsurance.com.au

If they are unable to assist you Fortis who specialize in 4WD may be a better option, they can be contacted on 03 9869 0269.

Regards,

Lee Johnston
AAMI eBusiness
aami.com.au
-----Original Message-----
From: AAMI.com.au Web Site [mailto:aami@aami.com.au]
Sent: Thursday, 15 May 2003 2:27 PM
To: AAMI
Subject: Email AAMI Campbell



From: Gary Campbell
Email: gkcampbl@
Message : Dear Sir, I am presently looking around at insurance for a (soon to be modified) 2002 Kia sportage. I have recieved a quote from your website (your ref: QTE ***** ****) and I wish to get in writing the answer to a few questions on the extent of your cover prior to acceptance of your quote. 1. Spring lift 2.5" OK? Fitted by Ironman Suspensions in Victoria (manufacturers) 2. Body lift 1.6-2" OK? 3. Tyres up from 205/70R15 to 31-33" diameter on suitable rims OK? (Note that we have the running gear of the KM42 series military vehicle (on www.global.kia.co.kr , Others -> Military vehicles -> KM 42 series - have a look at the specs-> Kia sportage chassis and running gear.) Note the standard 235/75R15 tyres) With the above lifts C of G height to track width remains the same therfore should not present any more of a rollover risk than presently exists (rated to handle a 45 degree slope in military form). 4. Is accident damage that occurs at a 4WD park or other such private property, such as Boat Harbour 4WD Park near Kurnell, or crown land such as state forests and declared wilderness areas such as Fraser Island (subject to appropriate permits being held) covered under comprehensive car insurance? 5. Is accident damage that occurs during a 4WD club trip covered? I would hope that you as a company understand that most 4WDs are modified to PREVENT damage occurring, and this is my intention for the modifications. I would like the situation clarified before I find out the hard way. Thanking you in advance for you time, Regards, Gary Campbell (address supplied)

-------------------------------------------------

Given that all the mods would be "bolt-ons" and easily transferrable/replaceable I would have thought it would have been easy to repair the vehicle (or a replacement vehicle to the same condition).

Clearly they DO NOT like having to answer the hard questions, specifically where they will NOT cover you. (private property, etc.)

Letters similarly worded to the above will be included with all my enquiries, will keep everyone posted.

BEWARE......

Latest:

---------------------

Dear Lee,

I believe there may be a bit of a mix up. I do own the Australian (civilian) model Kia Sportage that is (or was) available from the normal Kia retail network. My reference to the Military KM42 was meant as a reference for you regarding the fact that they share the same running gear), not unlike the military and civilian versions of the Land Rover and Hummer. (main reference was to show that the chassis and running gear were designed for larger tyres than what are supplied on the civilian chassis.)

Stated absolutely clearly...I own a domestic model 2002 Kia Sportage purchased from new from Ken Morgan Kia in Moorabbin, VIC on the 3rd of January 2003. I do not own the Military KM42 model.

Does this change/clarify the picture?

Thank you for you honest reply,

Regards,

Gary Campbell

----- Original Message -----
From: AAMI
To: Gary Campbell
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2003 8:57 AM
Subject: RE: Email AAMI Campbell


Dear Mr Campbell,

Thank you for your reply and the opportunity to discuss your concerns.

The suspension and wheel modifications that have been made to your vehicle are accepted under the AAMI guidelines, which is why the AAMI representative would have advised this. The website also accepts these type of modifications.

The concern AAMI have is the modifications to the running gear and that it is not consistent with the standard model on Australian roads but is standard with the KM42 Military vehicle which AAMI would not cover, due to this AAMI will not offer you insurance on your vehicle.

This has been referred to an AAMI assessor who has advised that we would not be able to repair this vehicle in the event of a claim.

We would prefer, as I assume you would, you knew about this before your policy commenced rather than in the event of a claim.

Regards,



Lee Johnston
AAMI eBusiness
aami.com.au

Next installment clarifying a point:

---------------------

Dear Mr Campbell,

Thank you for your reply.

I apologise for the confusion and the delay in this response.

AAMI are able to cover you vehicle under the policy.

I have set up a new quotation for you, the quote number is QTE *********, the premium is $878 and the Agreed Value is $22,000.

If you were to use your vehicle for 4WD driving purposes you will be fully covered under the AAMI policy as long as you were not involved in any competition or race circuit.

Please note that due to the modifications no driver under the age of 25 will be covered to drive the vehicle.

Once again I apologise for the confusion.
AAMI will need to reconfirm all details of your quotation prior to commencing cover. To arrange this cover, please call us on 13 22 44 and a customer service representative would be more than happy to assist you. We are available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to email us.

Regards,


Lee Johnston
AAMI eBusiness
aami.com.au
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Campbell [mailto:gkcampbl@bigpond.net.au]
Sent: Friday, 16 May 2003 9:33 AM
To: AAMI
Subject: Re: Email AAMI Campbell


Dear Lee,

I believe there may be a bit of a mix up.. I do own the Australian (civilian) model Kia Sportage that is (or was) available from the normal Kia retail network. My reference to the Military KM42 was meant as a reference for you regarding the fact that they share the same running gear), not unlike the military and civilian versions of the Land Rover and Hummer. (main reference was to show that the chassis and running gear were designed for larger tyres than what are supplied on the civilian chassis.)

Stated absolutely clearly...I own a domestic model 2002 Kia Sportage purchased from new from******* in, VIC on the 3rd of January 2003. I do not own the Military KM42 model.

Does this change/clarify the picture?

Thank you for you honest reply,

Regards,

Gary Campbell

---------------------------

Seems they are honest and will cover all modifications as per policy. Awaiting ABSOLUTE clarification on the club outing and private/Crown/wildernss area land issues, but thier wording did not specifically exclude these.

Seems we may have a winner.

I would be double checking that one, and getting it in writing.

NRMA DO NOT cover private 4by parks. They do NOT cover ANY CLUB outings, and that even includes on a bitumen road if your part of a club outing.

NRMA will NOT cover anything to do with "CLUB".

What they WILL cover though is basically any marked road in Aus. The wording "marked" does concern me (private properties aren't marked roads).

and RACV are underwritten by NRMA....

Flappan

Don't know where you got your info from. This is the text of a post on this site on 30/1/03, it totally disagrees with what you have said, and it come direct from the horses mouth. I guess the lesson here is ring around and ask the right questions.

==============================================
This is my query -

" I have a 4wd insured under a comprehensive car policy with NRMA.

Is accident damage that occurs at a 4WD park, such as Boat Harbour
4WD Park near Kurnell, covered under comprehensive car insurance? I
have heard that it may not be.

Also, is accident damage that occurs during a 4WD club trip covered?

I don't have any claims to make, but I would like the situation
clarified
before I find out the hard way.

Thanks for your help...Savvas "


And their response -

"Dear Savvas,

Thank you for your email dated on the 28/01/2003, in relation to
Motor
Insurance.

On behalf of NRMA Insurance Limited I am pleased to provide you with
the following Insurance guidelines.

As the Motor vehicle Insurance policy booklet states, which covers
Comprehensive Insurance, your vehicle is covered for accidental or
malicious damage. There is no limitation to say the vehicle needs to
be on a sealed or unsealed road.

Furthermore, there are no exclusions stated in the exclusions section
for
off-road riding or driving, providing it is not used in connection to
any
race including rally, trial, test or contest.

For more information, please refer to page 32 of the attached policy
booklet.

(See attached file: Motor Ed 4 NSWACT.pdf)

Once again thank you for your enquiry and I hope this information
assists you.

Yours sincerely,

Alvina Narayan
Internet Support Group
Insurance Australia Group (IAG)
Formerly NRMA Insurance Group
Phone: 1300 655 046
Fax: 02 9848 5228

...underwritten by CGU. I thought they were trying to get out of 4WD insurance. May not be able to get new cover, only continuation of existing. Will check it out....

Hi Gary
I new TCIC was hard to get new cover from, but Australian 4wd insurance not sure or aware of any problems
Andrew