Caravan and motorhome club insurance

[ShockedFox]

Hello all
I have owned my campervan for over 8 years now and have insurance via caravan and motorhome club, it is underwritten by DEWITT insurance brokers and insured with AXA...I have unfortunatly had my drivers licence revolked due to health reasons which took 3 years for DVLA to issue me a "medical drivers licence" so in reality I have not driven for 3 years...you can imagine how happy i was to get my medical drivers licence which is only valid for 12 months so booked my MOT and ferry tickets ASAP.
All the time my campervan has been parked on my driveway always taxed and insured... heres the thing...
I booked a MOT at the same station that has done it for the last 6 years and while I had parked my camper outside the MOT station at 8.30am so i beat the traffic, I went to grab a coffee as MOT opens at 10am...it was stolen during the 90 min that I was away...,it was locked with a factory fitted alarm immobiliser and a after market steering lock....No evidence of broken glass on the road where she was parked....
AXA insurance now claim they will not be settling my claim as the van did NOT have a valid MOT certificate...surely the fact that i booked it in and was parked outside waiting for them to open shows intent to get a MOT...she was in perfect condition and had always passed the MOT in the past as only400 miles covered since last MOT...
Please advise as I am totally flabbergasted here....

"Carloss"

 

[maingate]

Complain to the Insurance Ombudsman and be prepared to take them to Court. It sounds like the Insurance Company are behaving very badly.

 

[ShockedFox]

Thank you for your advice, I will...

 

[Pudsey Bear]

a vehicle cannot be parked on a public road, even outside an MOT station, if it does not have a valid MOT, unless it is being driven directly to or from a pre-arranged MOT test. Leaving it on the public road is illegal and could result in fines, as it is considered "using the road". You must leave the vehicle on private property until the MOT can be completed.

 

[TJBi]

Worth initially checking your precise policy wording and if appropriate raising an official complaint with your insurers. For example, my policy states:

Your motorhome must be taxed where applicable and registered in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and where required, must have a current Department of Transport test certificate (MOT).

In your case, the words "where required" would be key, particularly if the vehicle was not in fact taxed but had been SORNed. The DVLA state:
"You can only drive a vehicle with a SORN on a public road to go to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment." https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification
Therefore, under these specific circumstances a current MOT certificate is not required. If your policy wording is similar, it would be worth raising this with your insurers.

 

[TJBi]

a vehicle cannot be parked on a public road, even outside an MOT station, if it does not have a valid MOT, unless it is being driven directly to or from a pre-arranged MOT test. Leaving it on the public road is illegal and could result in fines, as it is considered "using the road". You must leave the vehicle on private property until the MOT can be completed.

Even leaving the vehicle off-road does not exempt you from having a valid MOT (subject to vehicle age) and tax and insurance unless you have SORNed the vehicle.

 

[TJBi]

It is an unfortunate fact that some factory-fitted door locks, alarms and immobilisers can easily be circumvented (the Ford Transit Mk7 is a case in point) and some aftermarket steering locks are more effective than others. I hope that you are able to achieve a suitable resolution with your insurers.

 

[ShockedFox]

...thank you for all the comments....to be clear
1) the Campervan was taxed and fully insured
2) I had a MOT booking for the MOT test at 10am
3) I was early and their doors were not yet open so went for a coffee, leaving the Campervan parked outside the MOT workshop
4) legally I am allowed to drive from my home to the MOT station for a pre booked MOT test.
5) insurance company is not paying out as the Campervan did not have a valid MOT at time of theft

 

[ShockedFox]

a vehicle cannot be parked on a public road, even outside an MOT station, if it does not have a valid MOT, unless it is being driven directly to or from a pre-arranged MOT test. Leaving it on the public road is illegal and could result in fines, as it is considered "using the road". You must leave the vehicle on private property until the MOT can be completed.

...I would argue the fact that 99.9% of us that drive our vehicles have to park or stop on a public road or parking bay at some point even if it is to run inside the MOT station to let them know that you are there for your appointment, you would have to park outside as all MOT stations do not have large forecourts ...

 

[Pudsey Bear]

...I would argue the fact that 99.9% of us that drive our vehicles have to park or stop on a public road or parking bay at some point even if it is to run inside the MOT station to let them know that you are there for your appointment, you would have to park outside as all MOT stations do not have large forecourts ...

I posted what Google said, it wasn't an accusation. I would have done just the same, but now I'd wait for the later appointment time.

 

[marchie]

It is an unfortunate fact that some factory-fitted door locks, alarms and immobilisers can easily be circumvented (the Ford Transit Mk7 is a case in point) and some aftermarket steering locks are more effective than others. I hope that you are able to achieve a suitable resolution with your insurers.

I arranged M/Home Insurance via CAMH and remember the 'call us if your vehicle is Ford Transit' message (also some other makes). Both Insureres and Breakdown Cover Providers include the 'must be roadworthy, serviced, MOT'd, taxed and not with current faults' caveats in the interminable proclamation before one can speak to the insurance employee to arrange cover/quote ...

Steve

 

[CriftinsCampers]

Something doesn’t sound right here, have they provided this refusal in writing and if so did they precisely reference a specific clause in the policy in the same letter, if not then get it in writing.

It may not be the fact it didn’t have an mot, for example if you didn’t have a driving license or provided incorrect dates when you took out the policy then they may actually be voiding it because you made a false declaration and effectively the contract was invalid.

 

[Geek]

You do not require an MOT to drive to a pre-booked MOT test.
If you are stopped in traffic, or have to stop to go to the toilet, or for any other reason have to stop en route, you do not need an MOT.
The requirement is that you go direct to the MOT. So perhaps if you had gone out of your way to stop for a coffee, you might be in a tricky position.
But if the van was parked up as a stop en route to the test, you should be good.
The problem is your choice of insurance broker. I have experienced their service. If they were the last insurers in the planet, I'd not use them.
Not only do they offer piss-poor service, but they also pile extra charges onto the premium to fund the hefty commission they pay to the club for using their branding. And the club is fully aware of that, but does nothing.
I suggest that you bypass Devitts and speak to the insurer direct.
If that gives no joy, contact the Insurance Ombudsman.
If that gets you nowhere, it might be worth contacting your MP, if you are lucky enough to have a good one.