Carnut

I have just been on the phone to my ex insurers who wanted some more money of me because I hadn't notified them that I no longer wanted the policy. I deserve what I get because I should have phoned them but instead just cancelled the direct debit and assumed it would automatically cancel the policy (it use to work in the past).

It would seem though that I can get off paying on a technicality because the vehicle had been SORN and in directly this cancels your policy.

The car was SORN but I kept the policy going in case it was stolen, this I am told is not allowed.

I am sure this is just another one of those things that everybody else knew and I didn't but just in case I am not alone it could be worth checking you policy if your car is SORN because you may be paying for nothing.

hodgy0_2

where does it say that?

I have been SORNing my Caterham7 kit car from Oct to April/June for the last 10 years, and have always kept my insurance valid on it

Carnut

I can only tell you what my insurance company told me that when I SORN my car it invalidated my insurance. I explained that I had kept my policy going in case the car was stolen but was told this is not how it works. The lady that I spoke to said that if a SORN vehicle is stolen you would have to speak to the DVLA. There may be insurance companies that specialise in SORN but really think you should phone your insurer.

On the up side you may have been paying for invalid insurance for the past 10 years and be due a refund.

Rescue Dude

iTrader: (11)

All policies are different so I'd check it ASAP.

A refund off an insurance company!!? Got more chance of getting a french kiss off the pope.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

All depends if you are under 11 or not. If so I imagine there is a high chance of getting a french kiss off the pope

Carnut

Well the pope best get ready for a wet one then, ive had my charges removed and a small refund from when I SORN the car.

But your right, most policies are different and their for ever moving the goal posts so anyone that has a car SORN and still has it insured should check ASAP.

hodgy0_2

okay - I think it is a "insurance policy based" issue rather than a dictate from the DVLA

the problem is 6 months insurance is often no cheaper than 12

CrisPDuk

That's a new one on me, but insurance companies are devious barstewards

It is now illegal to have a vehicle that is taxed uninsured, but there is nothing in law to say a vehicle under SORN cannot be insured. I'll have to check the insurance out on my cars because two of them are currently insured whilst under SORN, or so I believed

Carnut

The lady on the phone told me that in the event a SORN car is stolen you should inform DVLA, and that they MIGHT be able to help.

Carnut

It would be very interesting to see the results from people after they have phoned their insurer. I am expecting that a lot of people are paying for car insurance for SORN cars and its not valid.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

You don't need insurance if your car is sorn and not on any part of the public road system,i.e (garaged) etc...but as hodgy said,I myself always continue insurance even though my car is only a summer car and is sorned over winter.SJ.

Carnut

Well, as said before, that is what I was doing but it turned out that when I SORN the car it invalidated/void the insurance.

Its your choice people but if you have a car that is SORN you SHOULD ring your insurer just to make sure. There will be no point bitching about your car being stolen and the insurance not paying out because it was SORN now you have read this thread.

I say again, if you don't want to spend 5 mins on the phone and would rather take the chance and assume that you much loved car is insured then go ahead.

hodgy0_2

yes, because if it is taxed it is not sorned

not sorned = Taxed and insurance

sorned = needs to be off the public highway

it is a simple binary choice

so taxed and off the public highway = needs to be insured

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Just came off the phone with my insurance and they said insurance is needed regardless if car is sorned or not if your involved in a accident or your car is stolen you don't contact DVLA you contact your insurance company that is what the man just said to me that I am insured either way.SJ.

Carnut

You don't have to have insurance if your car is SORN ie off the road and not in use.

With regards to contacting DVLA you may have not have seen all my posts . They said that if a car is SORN and not insured then you should notify the DVLA if stolen, after the police obviously.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Yeah I read your post Chris,I'm just repeating what my insurance representative told me back.SJ.

Carnut

The morel of the story is when it comes to insurance companies you need to watch your back.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

I totally agree.SJ.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

I was just thinking,say your car is sorned parked up safely in your garage no insurance as it's sorned,but someone breaks in and steals your car what will DVLA do about the situation as you have no insurance because the car is sorned?.SJ.

Carnut

The lady I talked to on the phone said that they might me able to help but I doubt that they could do. You would need to let them know that the car has gone though anyway.

p.s stonejedi why haven't you updated your build thread? I am waiting to see that piece of art you call a engine in the car.

Rescue Dude

iTrader: (11)

That goes without saying.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

There's just not enough hours in the day at presentbeen doing 13 hour days At work and using Scoobynet by mobile phone on my breaks,a major update will be coming soon,keep your eyes peeled.SJ.

Skoobie Dhu

iTrader: (3)

If a car is declared SORN all that says is that you still own the car and you declare it's not being kept or used on a public road.

if the car is declared SORN it's entirely up to you whether you choose to insure it or not.

My car has been declared SORN since 2006, it's sat in the garage and has never been insured since declared SORN, if it's stolen or damaged that's my tough luck, I've always assumed that it isn't even covered under the home insurance - my choice.

Insurance is legalised extortion, there aren't many industries where if you're not making money you can get together and put up the prices....You only ever really find out what you're covered for when you make a claim.

CrisPDuk

It's only a very recent thing though, used to be that you could leave your car or bike taxed but uninsured on the drive, but no more

hodgy0_2

yep, 2011

I think it is a good idea (even though I got caught out with a - stupid and my fault)

Carnut

Its not to do with SORN but will take the opportunity to share some of my bad luck. I have just got a 53reg fiat punto 1.2 off my brother in law to knock about in (it was VERY cheap with one owner from new and LOW miles) and I only need it for a few miles a week.

I past my test a few months after my 17th birthday and am now 30 with 12 years no claims, have never had an accident and have a clean licence. I also have a FULL licence eg all trucks buses bike etc but this seems to mean nothing, but ha ho.

Now I hope your sitting down because the best quote I have had is.............£706 I know I tried everything, its easy enough on the comparison sits to change your details so did it every which way. Eventually I phoned my brother to get his opinion and he said to try his address (about 1 mile away) out of curiosity which I did and the new quote was £326.

The strangest thing of all is that full comp with protected no claims was cheaper than 3rd party and I feel like I have just been bent over and spanked. I know that they have to set a boundary but £400ish for less than a mile is madness.

On the upside this is just a stop gap for me and will be moving to a better and more permanent address soon.

P.s have not paid for insurance yet so if anyone knows of a insurer that might fit my situation then it would be appreciated. I have how ever spent a good few hours on the net so won't hold my breath.