Oddball Insurance

Cab-over Pete · Dec 10, 2018

Aye-up,

As some of you are aware, I like to build and adapt kit to meet my specific needs.

I’ve never had any bother with this before, but for my latest idea I’ve got one problem before I even make a start. The NFU Mutual are just not having it.

To cut a long story short, they have asked every tiny daft question under the sun, all of which have been answered easily but they still won’t have it even though their engineer says it’s easily doable.

Are there any other insurance providers you can recommend for a chat?

I’m not trying to do anything that’s not been done before and all the parts to do it are available from the OEM.

Cheers, Pete

ED.D · Dec 10, 2018

Afternoon pete, sent you a pm.

Cab-over Pete · Dec 10, 2018

10-4 good buddy, I thought you would have your ears on

Zebbedee · Dec 10, 2018

What’s there problem? Is this the zerion project

Cab-over Pete · Dec 10, 2018

Yes.

Problems/concerns from them range from steps and handrails supposedly needing CE certificates, possibility of fumes entering the cab if I don’t move the exhaust (then if I do move it I’ll need a certificate apparently) fire risk from extended wiring (none of which needs extending), how am I going to tilt the cab (despite the fact no Xerion has a tilting cab - they don’t believe that), differing noise levels to the driver if I move the cab, the list goes on.

It’s all answered quite easily, mostly because no Xerion has what they specify from new at the factory, but that doesn’t seem to get their approval.

Now my calls are being ignored and my questions never get replies. I’ve been a customer to them for 32 years, have never insured a single human, vehicle or machine with any other company and spend over £9000 per year with them including public liability, company liability, healthcare etc etc so I’m a bit fed up with them to be honest. I feel I might go elsewhere even if they suddenly change their minds.

Sharpy · Dec 10, 2018

I would go further up the tree. Someone is not doing their job.
Ps would it be worth talking to a truck conversion specialist to do an engineers report?

Chris F · Dec 10, 2018

I'll PM you a couple of options Pete.

Cab-over Pete · Dec 10, 2018

Apparently there is nobody else to make the decision but the bloke I’ve spoken to twice. I lost my patience with him a bit which probably didn’t help, but all he does is keep interrupting me mid answer to his questions, so he doesn’t really want to know the answer.

The visiting engineer was quite impressed with the whole plan. His reservations were put to rest and he went off saying he would recommend they approve it. However, they’ve completely ignored him and turned it down and he’s quite peed off about it from what I’ve heard from my agent.

The decision maker is based at Stratford upon Avon but won’t drive 20 minutes to have a look for himself.

Sharpy · Dec 10, 2018

Cab-over Pete said:
Apparently there is nobody else to make the decision but the bloke I’ve spoken to twice. I lost my patience with him a bit which probably didn’t help, but all he does is keep interrupting me mid answer to his questions, so he doesn’t really want to know the answer.

The visiting engineer was quite impressed with the whole plan. His reservations were put to rest and he went off saying he would recommend they approve it. However, they’ve completely ignored him and turned it down and he’s quite peed off about it from what I’ve heard from my agent.

The decision maker is based at Stratford upon Avon but won’t drive 20 minutes to have a look for himself.

Time to make your agent earn some of the £1000,s he has made from you in commission then!

yellowbelly · Dec 10, 2018

Cab-over Pete said:
Aye-up,

As some of you are aware, I like to build and adapt kit to meet my specific needs.

I’ve never had any bother with this before, but for my latest idea I’ve got one problem before I even make a start. The NFU Mutual are just not having it.

To cut a long story short, they have asked every tiny daft question under the sun, all of which have been answered easily but they still won’t have it even though their engineer says it’s easily doable.

Are there any other insurance providers you can recommend for a chat?

I’m not trying to do anything that’s not been done before and all the parts to do it are available from the OEM.

Cheers, Pete

Sadly it looks like your association with 'that other bloke' on here, where you appear to be continually crashing Transits and sinking speedboats may have affected your standing with your insurer

Seriously though, reading between the lines, it looks like you've maybe been insured with the NFU Mutual for too long - it could be time to try one of the big insurance brokers. I'm sure one of them would be able to find someone to underwrite, what seems to be, a 'one off project'.

Chris F · Dec 10, 2018

Sharpy said:
Time to make your agent earn some of the £1000,s he has made from you in commission then!

That would be a scary sum to add up - likely to be north of £50K with values inflation corrected to todays money. They should be working their arses off for you.

sawdust · Dec 10, 2018

Cab-over Pete said:
Aye-up,

As some of you are aware, I like to build and adapt kit to meet my specific needs.

I’ve never had any bother with this before, but for my latest idea I’ve got one problem before I even make a start. The NFU Mutual are just not having it.

To cut a long story short, they have asked every tiny daft question under the sun, all of which have been answered easily but they still won’t have it even though their engineer says it’s easily doable.

Are there any other insurance providers you can recommend for a chat?

I’m not trying to do anything that’s not been done before and all the parts to do it are available from the OEM.

Cheers, Pete

Are they not just covering their back, with everything having to be "CE Stamped" and "Type Approved" nowadays?
A company down here built a 20 ton digger onto the back of a lorry to load timber, now they're not allowed to because of the above reasons even though it is the owner that does all the driving/operating of it.

Farmer_Joe · Dec 10, 2018

they got terrible with us and were really awkward when we actually did want to claim, i went to brokers nearly 3 years ago and they have been very good

Cab-over Pete · Dec 11, 2018

sawdust said:
Are they not just covering their back, with everything having to be "CE Stamped" and "Type Approved" nowadays?
A company down here built a 20 ton digger onto the back of a lorry to load timber, now they're not allowed to because of the above reasons even though it is the owner that does all the driving/operating of it.

I suppose that’s what they’re doing but I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel.

If I use all Claas parts to do the job I don’t see how it’s any different to doing a big repair and then having to put it back together

Barleycorn · Dec 11, 2018

I had a load of hassle with them when I took the propshaft off our Freelander to make it 2WD when the transfer box got noisy. Luckily I found a firm on Ebay that made blanks to replace the U/J where it came out of the gearbox, thus proving that it was an acceptable thing to do. Never bought the blank though!

fermerboy · Dec 11, 2018

Just move your business elsewhere, plenty of folk wanting to do the job.
What's the point of giving yourself grief with somebody who's not that bothered about helping/keeping a customer happy.
Haven't insured with NFU for over twenty years after a bad experience and to be honest, I get really good service from my broker and it would take a lot to move me away from them.

Netherfield · Dec 11, 2018

I fell out with NFU 16 Years ago and have used a broker since then.

Cab-over Pete · Dec 11, 2018

I’ve received a lot of help and advice since yesterday for which I’m grateful to everyone.

Hopefully we will get sorted soon.

Many thanks.

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