4wd Insurance?

[CptnBarney]

Guys,
Was just told by AAMI that joining a 4wd club would void my insurance policy on the Suzuki. So... I have 14 days to find someone better or do I just never tell them when I join? They also seemed dodgy on what constitutes a "road"...enough to get me thinking they'll take my money and we'll end up in court if an accident arises on a 4WD track.
Cheers...
Con

[mattsluxtruck]

you are covered on a gazetted road. so if its on a national park map as a road your ok. dont know what difference being in a club makes but surely they can help you out.

[Cossie]

Surely if an incident occured whilst 4wding you'd just get it to the nearest road and claim it happened there?

[mico]

try just cars they're part of aami but will insure modified vehicles (any legal mods anyway) and they're cheap

[Pinball]

could always insure through your club when u join. Agreed value and pay anywhere.

Spock

[bogged]

Guys,
Was just told by AAMI that joining a 4wd club would void my insurance policy on the Suzuki. So... I have 14 days to find someone better or do I just never tell them when I join?

I would call and talk to someone else there, and try again, you will get told 10 different things if you call 10 times.

I'd also ask for a reason why that is, and ask for it in writing.

[Patroldude]

Mate - I am an insurance underwriter but its hard to get a straight answer anyway... don't have a prang n moe it to the road - the assessors will know it n be onto you in a flash, they will find out where it hapened and prove it then have you for insurance fraud.... they know their stuff those boys - get one that will cover you off road IN WRITING and list all your mods.....

Its worth a few extra bucks I recon - my mate pranged his HQ when he was 20..... ask your self a question - how many bentley' you see running around???? He found it and hit it.... 8 years later he paid it off..... don't run the risk - its not worth it.

Mk

[CptnBarney]

bogged,
Reason given was that AAMI is a "domestic vehicle insurer", whatever that means. I was told that an accident arising from driving on private property is not covered. Also seems joining any car club voids your policy with AAMI and that's not "eventing" it either...join a club... no insurance.
Think I'll ring them again tomorrow and ask whether being in the RACV voids my policy? I have requested the policy in writing and been assured it will be sent immediately. Oddly they were not interested in any vehicle mods but took details anyway.
Cheers...
Con

[gu4800]

This whole "gazetted road" thing is also a bit of a grey area.

If you have a bingle on private property you should still be covered - you need to ask the question.

Example:

A few years back I got an "amendment" to my insurance policy terms from Suncorp, part way through an insurance period. Among other changes was the "you are not covered if you are on a private 4wd park". I queried the change, and was advised that I was still covered until my current policy expired, but would not be after that date (ie, if I renewed with them). I advised them that I will not be renewing with becuase we do travel to a 4wd park (LCMP) quite regularly for camping trips.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, by the time my renewal came around the clause was actually removed again (I assume they got lots of calls from people just like me).

But don't take this as open slather - I am still not covered if I am competing, racing, etc. I am only convered if I am travelling in the park under normal driving conditions, including the tracks within the park. But I cannot be part of any organised event (including "fun type" events) where you are competing in any form.

Simple answer - check with your insurance company in detail. Ask all the right questions, and ask that your conversation and the names of the persons involved are detailed on your record (everyone runs a computer based record/diary/notes system for these types of occassions). And also, record on your insurance papers the date of the call, time of the call and name (even staff number if they give it) of the person you are talking to.

P.S. I go camping to LCMP and Fraser Is (although Fraser Is is actaully a road) with some very good friends of mine, one of which works in the motor vehicle section at AAMI (and not some phone nuffy either, she is quite senior and at management level). They bring their nice new 100 Series out with them everytime, so I'll ask the question tomorrow and get back to you.

[bogged]

Also seems joining any car club voids your policy with AAMI and that's not "eventing" it either...join a club... no insurance.

Im betting that is news to a few thousand people always singing the praises of AAMI..
then again 4 people on different forums asked for things in writing once, they all got different levels of 'approval'....

wouldnt trust em personally. www.tcis.com.au

[InSanE]

i am insured with affinity insurance and they have a deal with 4x4 Australia and they are heaps cheaper then the rest for me because i am 21 and driving a 6 cylinder turbo diesel a few places wouldnt touch me, affinity cover you on any named track and if you have ac accident off a track you are covered but your excess doubles give them a call they are great and well worth it on 8587777

[blkmav]

I've just switched to Affinity, and fully insured my truck and all mods. Haven't made a claim so don't know if they will worm out of anything

[-Nemesis-]

Also seems joining any car club voids your policy with AAMI and that's not "eventing" it either...join a club... no insurance.

Im betting that is news to a few thousand people always singing the praises of AAMI..

They don't insure any decent mods anyway do they? Don't they push you towards JustCarInsurance? Which I guess is AAMI anyways.....

[Den.R]

Quote "try just cars they're part of aami but will insure modified vehicles (any legal mods anyway) and they're cheap"

I would have to disagree with this. I have a SOA 60's cruiser which initially cost me $720 to insure but came down to about $600 to insure third party. I recently had conversations with GIO and they would have been willing to insure the vehicle for around 2/3s of the price (knowing it was engineered with SOA, 2' body lift, stereo, winch, etc). Now that I turned it into a ute GIO won't touch it as I have changed the structural integrity of the cab...

However, to just cars credit, it doesn't matter where you are they will insure as long as you are not competing.... It pays to ring around.... [/quote]

[Ben]

Mate I'd give them a call again and clarify it, cause that's crap. I'm with AAMI, and I know, in writing that I'm covered ANYWHERE in Australia that I'm legally allowed to be - beaches, private property, the side of a mountain - anywhere, so long as its legal. And I also know I'm covered despite the fact I'm a member of a club...and I know I'm covered on club trips, so long as they're not competition/timed events.

[Chucky]

I am with AAMI, and I haven't had a problem. I am covered as long as I am not competeing in timed or trail events. I am covered on private property and any defined track.

I even run the "what if" questions of doing a creek crossing and drowning the engine and they answered, as long as I wasn't competing in a timed or trail event.

I have also had two accidents on the road in the car both were not my fault and they are excelent to deal with.

They will not cover my mod's on the car. But they did go to agreed value so these are really covered anyway.

[bogged]

From Exploroz on the subject.


Member - Poor Jeep Owner (NSW) posted this followup

I just spoke to senior claims management at AAMI - and they absolutely refute this. They said in plain English -
"we could not possibly refuse your claim based on the fact that you are a member of a 4WD club".

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/View.asp?ForumQID=25151

[CptnBarney]

Guys,
With AAMI I specifically stated that I would not be competing with the vehicle in any way, shape or form. Answer was the same... join a 4WD club voids your policy. That was from the supervisor supposedly.
Checking it out further this afternoon.
Cheers...
Con
PS: Thanks for that bogged...now I'm armed for an interesting conversation.

[HeathGQ]

muzzimbidgie replied to the question

WHOA BOYS.

The one thing all you guy's are forgetting,

***ANY*** 4WD club worth joining should be affiliated, and therefore must have insurance covering all club registered vehicles participating any any club sanctioned event.

This is why you are told that your vehicle must be registered, roadworthy, and the driver must hold a valid current drivers license.

I cant believe people actually think this.

[bogged]

muzzimbidgie replied to the question

WHOA BOYS.

The one thing all you guy's are forgetting,

***ANY*** 4WD club worth joining should be affiliated, and therefore must have insurance covering all club registered vehicles participating any any club sanctioned event.

This is why you are told that your vehicle must be registered, roadworthy, and the driver must hold a valid current drivers license.

I cant believe people actually think this.

what you dont get fully comp insurance for $00.00 dang, that sucks...

[GUJohnno]

This is from www.fwdvictoria.org.au

MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE
Four Wheel Drive Victoria establishes an alliance with Affinity Risk Partners to create a special motor vehicle policy for four wheel drives. Contact the team at Affinity and ask for four wheel drive insurance on 03 8587 7777.

* Lifetime Rating one protection;
* Agreed or Market Value options
* Monthly payment options;
* Varying excess options;
* Low Kilometre discounts;
* Removal of windscreen excess;
* Option to include camping equipment (anywhere in Australia) up to $5,000;
* Prestige policy for high value vehicles (nominated driver policy conditions apply).

In addition, the policies include a range of options for:

* Personal items in your car
* Hire car following theft
* Emergency costs
* Assistance to help you get home following an accident
* Choice of repairer

Affinity offers Home and Contents insurance providing both accidental damage and insured events policy options. Discounts can be included for security within your home such as an alarm system and deadlocks and key operated window locks. Additional discounts apply should you combine your 4WD or other motor vehicle and your home and contents insurance policies. Affinity also provides over 50�s and retired persons discounts.

[CptnBarney]

Okay, finally a resolution.
Rang again and spoke to a lovely lady. She was stumped by the 4wd club thing and asked a supervisor. They verified the policy. I said what about if I'm in the RACV, will that void my policy. So she asked another supervisor who said no it wont and a 4wd club is fine as long as its recreational use. A third supervisor was consulted who stated "if its not banned in the disclosure book, then its fine".
At the end of the day: I'm now covered if in a club and if the vehicle is used on private property. Lady on the phone told me whatever is in the policy notes is okay, so she's cleared it with her name and her supervisors on the policy notes and given me everyones name...just in case.
What a saga....
Cheers...
Con

[CHILLI 2]

I was also insured with AAMI with my 80 series 4 inch lift,35's etc and was told it was insured anywhere/anytime i sold that and bought a surf v6 conversion 2 inch lift 2 inch body lift 33's and they wont touch it because it's imported but the same as 4 runner which can be insured by them!I rang just car insurrance who will insure it for $691 per year for $10000 but only with a $1300 excess i think i'm being ripped for a 37 year old , rating1 never had a accident in 22 years.

[bogged]

This is from www.fwdvictoria.org.au

MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE
Four Wheel Drive Victoria establishes an alliance with Affinity Risk Partners to create a special motor vehicle policy for four wheel drives. Contact the team at Affinity and ask for four wheel drive insurance on 03 8587 7777.

Start of yr when they were new, and I needed insurance, they told me they wouldnt touch a 4wd with over 2inch combined lift.

Stick with TCIS - well proven over years and well trusted.

[GUJohnno]

This is from www.fwdvictoria.org.au

MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE
Four Wheel Drive Victoria establishes an alliance with Affinity Risk Partners to create a special motor vehicle policy for four wheel drives. Contact the team at Affinity and ask for four wheel drive insurance on 03 8587 7777.

Start of yr when they were new, and I needed insurance, they told me they wouldnt touch a 4wd with over 2inch combined lift.

Stick with TCIS - well proven over years and well trusted.

They are new to 4WD insurance and they hav been reveiwing and updating their policies.
One guy in our club has 4" lift, 2" body lift and running 35's on his GQ and is fully covered.

TCIS are also well proven to stuff you around for weeks/months. But then again, for every good report of an insurance company, there will be bad reports.

[troybs]

greetings,

i used to go thru aami and found them to be a bit iffy when i asked the questions about 'offroad use'(could not give me an exact answer wheter i was covered on non-gazzetted roads)...anyways i switched to budget insurance, which are quite cheap. i did 4 week fishing trip up north and rang budget to see if i was covered and they stated that i was covered on non gazetted roads as long as i did not exceed the limits of the car..

i haven't had any accidents yet so i don't know if they will try and reneg on anything.

BTW anyone else dealt with budget insurance

cheers
troybs

[GUJohnno]

i did not exceed the limits of the car..

That's an interesting line.... Makes it easy to get out of most claims.

[The Engineer]

Just another insurance question while the topic is hot.
What can we do up here in qld? Any tyres that are 15mm larger in diamater than origional tryes apparantly make the vehicle un-roadworthy. With heaps of people running bigger tyres up here surely someone will know of anyone who has had any insurance problems related to this issue?

Cheers

Justin

[HeathGQ]

i did not exceed the limits of the car..

That's an interesting line.... Makes it easy to get out of most claims.

yes..... but if you have 3 identicial cars do the same thing before you stuffed up, did you really exceed the limits of the car????????

[bogged]

There was a group of dudes here in Melb I thnk it was, there was a club night run , and there were that many dudes they broke it into 3 groups.

Each car was marked with a letter A, B or C so groups knew what to do etc.

One car in group C I think it was had a bingle with a tree, went to claim insurance, they said no, you were competing.. that was it - bad luck buddy...