Yugoslavian Ami.., continuing on from 'now-autoshites-flimsy-bodied Shitroen'

[Bfg]

.

On Monday I spoke to Adrian Flux    customer services with the view to cancelling the policy. I was told the value assessment team would call back shortly. They never did. 

 

Today, Wednesday I phoned again (decisively) to cancel (having moments before taken out a new policy with Ageas through Footman James - who agreed my value over the phone without query).  I was told that a call had been made (by Adrian Flux customer services, and a message left - but not recorded by my tel. answering machine ?) to tell me (..if I don't accept their valuation) to get an independent valuation from a Member of the Institute of Automotive Engineers & Assessors, after which they will be willing to re-assess.

 

Cancelling this policy with  ADRIAN FLUX   within 30 days, gives No refund of premium.  Zilch ! 

 

I explained, I'll take the matter up with the Ombudsman and the Owner's club on the basis of :

 

1.  Adrian Flux had not honoured their side of the contract, insomuch as the agreement was for 'vehicle insurance at an agreed value for an agreed premium'.   Conversely I had promptly done everything asked of me.

 

2.  Less than 30-days had past since I took out the insurance and subsequently asked for it to be cancelled.  So, with still 11 months to run - I'd expect a pro-rata payment less admin fees.  ie. tuppence ha'penny.  

NB. Things would have been quicker but the policy and valuation forms were not sent to me until I chased them up (two weeks later).

 

3.  although the price of the insurance was for an agreed value of  £x,000, their valuation was 60% of that figure, but no reduction in premium (taking into account the lesser value being insured) was offered.

 

4.  In documents presented, I had cited two examples of current prices of these (now rare) cars, one sold in January and the other being offered for sale now.  Both at considerably higher values than I was asking agreed value for  (.. as my car has been recently body-off restored and rust-free but still needs a cosmetic respray).

 

It was explained that their valuation team see the car as 'in-work' and have de-valued it as they see fit.  After I get the car UK inspected and registered and perhaps again when resprayed - then I need to go back to them to have the car re-evaluated. I had already told them that once the car is resprayed and other jobs are all done then the valuation I'll be asking for will be much higher than what I'm asking for now.

 

5. I had provided a spreadsheet of costs to date on the car which equaled the value I was asking for. Those figures are backed up by recent invoices and receipts. That is what the car has recently cost me (without overseas expenses), and so that is what it would cost to replace this car.!

 

6. An insurance policy lasts for 12 months.  So as to not be uninsured we ought to account for market moves in prices, and also the condition of the car after more time and money on its restoration.  To insure it to a value now (presently unregistered and without MOT) and then go back to them each month with a list of what I've done and spent, and how the market prices have moved - is unrealistic.  Are Adrian Flux deliberately wanting our cars to be under-insured (..just in case we claim.) ?      

 

7. after numerous telephone, email, & postal exchanges - which still hasn't resolved the simple matter of the vehicles ' insured value',   I now have no confidence in Adrian Flux's service nor product.  

 

The customer services assistant understood (and could not counter argue) any of these points, but has said that she'd have someone further up the food chain call me (paraphrased)..,  but if I cancel at that very moment - the policy will be simply closed and no refund will be issued.  I politely thanked her for her endeavors, and that I would again wait for a phone call.

 

The premium was for just £85 per annum, but to me it's the principle of the matter.. Insurance companies having a big stick and customers having to do what they told and accept what they are given.

 

This stems back to an experience I had in the 1980's.  I was away visiting family at Christmas, and returned home to find it been burgled and my car (and a mini Honda motorcycle) stolen.  My car at that time happened to be the second to last BMW 733i ever made. It was my pride and joy ..and I'd worked damned hard to afford it. Aside from that it was a great driver's car, and I'd bought well and was very happy with the car.  I had it repainted (including all the shuts) from met.silver to an Aston Martin colour of met. purplish-dark blue.  Despite protest and appeals, with receipts showing what I'd spent on the car and it's condition, the insurance company Norwich Union    paid me a pittance. And then to add insult to injury - they cancelled my insurance (without refund of premium) because I no longer had the car ! 

 

30 years later and I don't know how many £-thousands spent on vehicle insurance in this time - I've not used Norwich Union  (later Aviva Insurance ) since.   imo., there's no point in having insurance if the one time you use it - it doesn't do what expected of it.  ie to replace the vehicle for 'the same'.  

 

I learnt from Norwich Union to have 'agreed value' ...and that's what I expect.  If they say the premium had to be a little more for that valuation - then OK give me the new price and let me make the decision.  But I know what the car has cost me that, and I've been watching prices of any other Ami-super that come onto the market (across Europe) so am in a better position to know the values than their desk jockey with no interest in these cars.

 

Question - has anyone an experience of bringing disputes before the insurance ombudsman ? 

 

Bfg   

p.s. the mood I'm in right now - this is going to cost Adrian Flux   more than £85.

 

p.p.s. 2 hours later the insurance company haven't phoned yet.

 

9,994 views

Almost 10,000 views.. phew I ought to be a journalist and be paid for this !

[Rocket88]

I'm afraid this is typical of Adrian sodding Flux............used to be very good..........now a bunch of money grabbing, inefficient toe rags.

[dollywobbler]

I wouldn't go anywhere near them based on reputation. I'd consider Footman James, Peter James or Peter S Taylor/Bishop Calway (who I'm currently with) from personal experience. The latter two especially.

[Bfg]

^ I'd have to agree they used to be competitive and seemingly good and straight forward.  I used to know Peter James years ago. Is he now independent of Footman James ?  I'd not heard of Peter S Taylor/Bishop Calway but I've just seen their ad in the club magazine.

 

 

Latest is : that another lady from Adrian Flux   did call me back, and she said in effect that's the value their assessors have come up with .

 

However, we then went back to the matter of  zero refund, and she tried to explain that somehow £25 is the best they can manage to get back off the insurance underwriters ..and their admin fees would be more than the amount to refund - and so they are not going to charge that difference.  Bottom line being they got £25 back from the insurance underwriting company, which they are willing to refund to me - but as I understand it Adrian Flux are going to keep hold of all their broker's commission.

 

So, it has cost me £60 for the experience and 1-month of  their market-value insurance cover.  It makes you wonder how much that might be ? 

 

I've accepted the £25 and have cancelled the policy. I don't need to waste more time with them, and to put it rather churlishly : They'll not get the chance to quote on any of my vehicles in the future, nor anything much more than negative press from me. They've sold their integrity & reputation for the value of their commission - just 30 pieces. 

..now where have I heard that expression before ? ..oh yeah, and that chap's reputation has spat upon for 2000 years.    

 

 

As I said above - I'd previously* called through to Footman James and took out a new policy with agreed value.  Job Done, 10 minutes, no unusual questions,  no valuation evidence required,  And no hassle.

 

* I honestly didn't trust Adrian Flux to not put some sort of industry black mark against my name.

 

..And I did send a copy of my previous post to the owner club magazine's editor. Hopefully he'll print it as a forewarning to other members.    

 

Bfg.

 

p.s. Am I correct in thinking Adrian Flux also trade as : BikeSure  and  Fenton Insurance  ? 

 

Landmark : 10,020 views ! 

[Bfg]

update : 08th December

 

Shhhh..  I hear a certain Yugoslavian Ami-S is on the move..    

 

 

 

[Bfg]

... possibly end of next week to Zeebrugge

 

so I need to arrange a trailer for this end  - Tilbury docks to IP6.

[forddeliveryboy]

Well worth putting a shout-out on various A-series forums, there's surely someone who knows of a trailer and person locally?

[Bfg]

^ good thinking  ., so I've just posted WANTED posts on x4 Shitroen websites.

 

..

WANTED please - Man (or lady) with a car & Trailer (or alternative vehicle transport)

To bring a Yugoslavian Ami Super

from Tilbury Docks to near Ipswich.

end of next week or beginning of the next.

Thanks

Pete
send us a text :
07 958 -
100 -
633

[Bfg]

.

I've just receive notice that our Ami-Super left Ljubljana yesterday evening ..without prior notice or the shipping company's documents ! Fortunately Robin in the shipping company (CLdN RoRo Agencies Ltd) is used to dealing with 'some of these country's transport companies' so phoned the terminal in Zeebrugge to sort things out.

It's just 13 hours from Ljubljana to Zeebrugge, though this is probably longer for a vehicle transporter and the driver's necessary breaks. CLdN RoRo sail three times a day and so they may get the car on the ship tomorrow (Wednesday) or Thursday, then six hours crossing. ETA will be confirmed soon. But most likely on Thursday or Friday I'll need to collect the car from Tilbury to bring it up here to IP6, Suffolk.. Exciting & also slightly anxious times.

I'm still looking for someone to help with car transport.

 

Thanks, Pete.

send us a text :
07 958 -
100 -
633

[Bfg]

.

Someone on the French Car Forum suggested Thistle Towing "his base is close enough to Tilbury/Ipswich." 

So I've spoken to them and have just received a quote. Seems like he's in Peterborough and so quotes for 254 miles ..whereas the round trip from here to Tilbury docks is between 135 and 152 miles depend whether one cuts down the A130 or goes around the M25. That's a big percentage !

10,374 views

[Bfg]

.

Had a call this morning from the shipping company who wanted payment for the shipping
.as the car is now in Zeebrugge
..and is expected to arrive at Tilbury around midnight
... so will be available for collection any time Friday. 

I have no towing hitch on my 'other' car so hiring a trailer doesn't work for me at this time.  So I guess I'll be paying a transport company.  £1 per mile is the best price I've been quoted but it's now a question of whether he is available at such short notice.

[beko1987]

Ooooh exciting! No one here your way got a car with a towbar they can lend you? You're welcome to borrow my Xantia but I have work tomorrow so need it, unless you have a car I could use to get to work. I'm also in Thame, so probably quite far.

[Bfg]

.

^ no-one else has stepped forward to lend me their car with hitch.

 

Anyway

 

..this is way too much fun - trying to get a car collected with just 24 hours notice (ie., tomorrow) on the day before Christmas Eve.

 

Good start to the day was in having a puncture (in the Chrysler), the internet server giving up,  and then having booked myself in to do a collection for E.A.C.H. charity at midday, so this morning was busy.

 

Anyway "I did it my wayyyyyy " and got through the morning. And then spent all afternoon on the internet (now working - Thank You Brit.Telecom) and phone - trying to find someone to collect the car.  After a couple of companies said no way to Tilbury Docks - I ring the shipping company to ask them what the flock?  ..and it turns out the car will be in Purfleet, RM19 1PD  and not in Tilbury Docks at all.! 

.            ..Better to find out today than tomorrow - when some driver I've never met is trying to find my car in Tilbury Docks !     

 

Anyways, Purfleet is very much easier to get and out of, and no operator's license is required. 

 

..Still many companies are either not answering their phones or are already stopping work for the holidays.
 

Leaving the car in Purfleet will cost storage ..and the car will be sitting out in all weathers until the New year

 

Nevertheless I am an optimist 

 

 

 

E.A.C.H. is East Anglia Children Hospices - for children with terminal illnesses. It supports the children and their families both in their hospices and in the children's own homes.  If anyone want to make a difference or learn more about these wonderful people   < EACH >  or  < facebook EACH >

 

 

p.s. an email received from the charity's local office " I am delighted to let you know that (all together) you raised an amazing £638.02 ! This is a fantastic amount to raise in one supermarket collection, so again, thank you so much "

[Bfg]

.

Thank you so much Beko. That's really Ace of you.,  but you are indeed a bit far from me.

 

It's a little disappointing tbh that aside from just yourself and two persons from the French Car forum (not one person from International2cvfriends,  Citroens Specials,  or the 2cvGB  forums,  nor any my 'friendly' garages or neighbours)  stepped forward to say they, or someone they know may possibly be able help with car transport for 68 miles.   And of those two - one has not returned my messages since making the offer,  and the other's friend was 50 miles away in the wrong direction (in Peterborough, so an additional 100 miles @ £1 per miles).

 

Yes, I understand that most of you are too far away. And my thanks to those who genuinely thought they might ..if they had been closer.

 

Anyways..

        Following goods are shipped per Ms 'VALENTINE'        ETS :   22/12/16  -  16:00 HRS  -  ZEEBRUGGE        ETA :   23/12/16  -  00:01 HRS  -  PURFLEET

.

..

... and a chap called Bea is collecting the car tomorrow around 4:30pm. 

In the circumstances (such short notice, and being the day before Christmas eve) I went with him because he was the first (actually the only one so far ) to confirm that he could actually do the collection tomorrow (..or this side of the New Year).  And as it happens his price was also better than any other.  

 

You'll probably not be too surprised to learn that his was not a British accent.  Strange how, despite what is said about foreigners working in this country, it so often seems that other nationalities are motivated to put themselves out - when something like 75% of the twenty or thirty other companies I telephoned today either couldn't be arsed to pick up the phone &/or haven't returned my call. 

 

As a consequence..  I'm faced with the reality that I took so much time, trouble and spent so much money - only to then phone around anonymous internet mobile numbers for someone to collect the car.  Irrespective of his accent, I've now given a complete stranger the whereabouts & access code (from the shipping company) and have left them the keys in the car.!   

 

I can just imagine the ol' Bill asking  "And who the flock was this man that you gave permission to take your car ?"  ..should my little old Ami not turn up 

10,522 views

[Bfg]

.

 it's been a long time in the coming but Yabba Dabba Doo !   my little Ami should arrive today !

 

..assuming the vehicle transport arrives to their schedule (Purfleet about 4:30pm) and does a quick turnaround - then he should be up here by 6 - 6:30pm   With two motorcycles in the lounge, three tucked into the back of the garage, and with my daily ride ('53 Sunbeam S8) to one side - there's just enough space to get an Ami in.

...just one of the (very few) reasons I didn't buy an XJ6 coupe.!

 

Bfg

[Bfg]

.

nice man sent me mms at 16.07 showing a picture of the car loaded onto his flatbed   I do like being kept informed

[beko1987]

Exciting stuff, bet you can't wait for tomorrow!

[loserone]

WOO!

[Bfg]

.

.

 

..note the can bottom right of photo.. with fuel siphoned from my m/c.  Well they said ; there should be enough for port handling and there was. Even enough to start easily and move away from the truck this end   ..but not enough to get into the garage.  !

 

 

.

It's Christmas !

 

[dollywobbler]

Brilliant! Glad you got it tucked away before the storms make it to your side of the country. It's been bloody awful here today.

[Bfg]

.

^ Thanks   It's blustery and drizzling out..  but the dehumidifier is on.

 

• 235 replies
• 10,584 views

Is this a new Autoshite 'collection thread' record !? 

[Bfg]

.

I believe in giving credit where it's due, and to (objectively) speak out when companies fuk with you, so..

 

 

Recommendation :
RoRo Shipping :

Robin Beecham was excellent and went beyond the call of duty to help me out when the transport company to Zeebrugge never gave us advanced notice nor had the documentation in place. And then again when I needed to pay for the shipping but the filter on my internet router chose to give up the ghost..

Cost £165 from Zeebruge to Purfleet, Essex. But I didn't need to be there either end. The Slovene transport company dropped the car off at Zeebrugge and the vehicle recovery driver picked it up from Purfleet (not Tilbury Docks). No issues at all.

CLdN RoRo Agencies Ltd | Long Reach House | London Road | Purfleet | Essex | RM19 1PD | UK
Tel: 0044 (0)1708 865522 | Mob: 0044 (0)7768 985463 | Fax: 0044 (0)1708 682195 |
Email: [email protected]


Recommendation :
Vehicle recovery / vehicle moving in & around East Anglia

Jarek is running his own one man business. He tries hard to get things right. Being Polish his English is not brilliant but he communicates well via text messages. I like that he confirmed the pick up address and the delivery address with the estimate & price the night before, and then again he sent me a MMS photo of the car loaded on to his flat bed truck before leaving Purfleet. His timing was half an hour early to collect the car and delivered it to where I live on a remote farm without getting lost ! ..That's not very usual around here.  A very nice chap to deal with.

At short notice - his cost was £95 (no VAT) for the round trip of 136 miles (according to Google maps). This was cheaper than the usual £1 per mile that other companies seemed base their prices on, whereas one company wanted £250 for the same collection.

JBS Recovery : 07729 653 449
34 Dhobi Place, Ipswich. IP1 4QA
Email : [email protected]
Facebook : @JBSRecoveryIpswich

 

 

Peter

[forddeliveryboy]

A lot easier, if less fun, than driving it home. You did well to organise people so close to Christmas! Looking forward to reports on the driving, once it's roadworthy.

[Bfg]

.

^ Thanks. Yes a little disappointing that there was no adventurous drive back across Europe, but hey I think I made the right decision in the circumstances.. and really that's the best I can do. 

 

Happy Holidays !!  This afternoon after cutting the lawn (yes, you read that right !) I finally got around to looking at the Super now in my garage ..and emptying everything out.. I'd packed all my workshop tools between folded card (ex-box) in the bottom of the boot and then piled anything else on top to remove the temptation to desolate dock workers. (..things like cleaning materials & part used paint, all the old brake parts I'd replaced, the old ducting pipes and bits of old exhaust).  I have lost stuff before., but this time I'm delighted to say that nothing went missing in transit.

 

One of the jobs, which wasn't at all critical but which showed an instant result was cleaning the spare wheel.. yeah I know.., but little mindless jobs like that get me in a 'working mode' again..

 

 

I then made myself a job list to be tackled over the next few weeks ..starting with tasks carried forward from that done in Slovenia, but then adding things like the boot-lid seal apparently leaking.  The cardboard was wet & already beginning to go mouldy - so I'm glad the car didn't stand outside until the New Year. 

 

^ handy as it happens ; the boot lid being so short and opening a full 180° - when parked in the tight confines of a garage.  Also noteworthy (perhaps !?) is the state of that boot lid.. Not bad for 1974 and un-restored eh ?

 

I also noted a few other tasks that I hadn't seen before like the front left exhaust pipe being hard against the chassis, and on that same side it sounds like a manifold joint blowing a little.  And at the back aside from the missing body mounting clamps I noted the boot floor is resting on the fuel tank.!  Aside from those things I found LH  front indicator not working nor the main beam warning lamp.  In general these jobs are all minor but still will need to dealt with sooner rather than later, and most will need doing before I put the car in for an MOT. 

 

btw. I tried to apply for NOVA (Notification Of  Vehicle Arrival) last week but that necessitates registration with gov.uk and for them to email me the verification. I'm waiting.

 

Not then a lot of progress then,  but 'little by little'  it'll get done and I'll get the car registered and on the road. Adding to the ten or so Ami Super's registered with the dvla in this country.  ..Rarer than most Aston Martin    

 

10,742 views

[Bfg]

.

WANTED  Dead or Alive

 

Rack & Pinion's - Steering pinion 7 tooth from / for an 1974 Ami Super  ...maybe the same as an early Citroen GS or possibly one of Citroen's small vans (azu / 2cv van / Acadiane) ??

 

 

If anyone has contacts who might have - then I'd ask you to please forward the sketch and my contact number to them. Thanks  

Pete

079 58

100

633

[Bfg]

.

To all you grumpy ol' Buggers who say bah humbug to Christmas,

 

..and everyone else whose helped me with advice and often much needed morale support ...

 

'Appy New Year !

And Thanks,

 

Pete

[dollywobbler]

Happy New Year! When it comes to the steering, maybe have a word with Rick Pembro? His website is older than the hills, but he does know his way around steering racks (and gearboxes, obviously). http://www.gearbox-guru.co.uk/

[Bfg]

.

Thanks DW.. I've now sent Rick a message and copy of the sketch.  

 

Useful contact to have anyway.

 

Cheers. Pete

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Good to see this is home

However you've made me nervous because Adrian flux insure my XM lol

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[Bfg]

^ Thanks

 

re. Aflux.  Sorry.. I only said it as I found it, first hand..  I try not to repeat "a friend of a friend said" type stuff. 

 

I gather then - you had no problem with your car's agreed value.?  And that value was appropriate for what a replacement car in the same condition would cost towards the end of the policy term ?   

 

Perhaps it just goes to show that any company, or persons within that company, are not so black & white / accommodating or pain-in-the....  

I'm sure many customers are very happy with their service.  Disappointingly (as a former customer) this experience with them was not at all good.  Nor do I feel their pro-rata refund (cancelled within the month) to be fair  ..so I'll not use them again.  Still, I sincerely hope they give you excellent service and are helpful & fair - if & when the need arises.  

 

Pete