an arsehole to avoid

so, if you see a Citroen Xsara Picasso, in metallic silvery-blue, license number FP02 CWO, currently in the Pwllheli area, watch out for the arsehole driving it. He couldn't give a toss about your car and if he damages it he will try to convince you that you are seeing things.

claim culture means people can't act decently any more

aaaaaaahhhhrrrrgggghhhh

Couple of days ago a kid got out of his dad's car on his own and walloped the door into the side of my car, making an impressive dent which pushed the swage line in so that the panel couldn't be popped straight out again.I approached the parents incredibly politely....accepting that nothing deliberate had been done, regretting the upset this would cause them but pointing out that my car had sustained damage.

I asked the dad to open the back car door, which he did, and I showed him how the car door fitted the dent perfectly.and he said, "So what are you saying?"And he kept saying it, in an increasingly threatening tone. I repeated that I thought the damage had been done unintentionally, ....but I didn't recommend a solution....I wanted to let him just respond...at very least apologise.

Of course, he didn't.

So, I asked what he would have felt was an appropriate response if I had accidentally dented his car. And he immediately said that wasn't relevant becaue he has a nice car and I have a crappy one. He went on to point out its age and the rust on the wheel arches.So of course I said, does my car being old mean that it is ok with you if your child whacks it? And he just walked away and told me I was being unreasonable. He said, I'm not talking to you until you can come up with something different because you are talking sh1t.

I called the police and they said that unfortunately, as the car was in a private carpark, the road traffic act did not apply, and as the child was under ten, they could not be done for criminal damage.They were staying in a cottage next to ours in a holiday let. Needless to say, I seethed for a couple of days.Yet again (having had a hit-and-run prang only a month ago) I am absolutely pissed off with people's lack of decency and respect.

I remember walking past someone's car about ten years ago and accidentally swiping his wing with a rucksack. I left a note on his windscreen with my phone number and when he phoned he thanked me for owning up and said there'd be nothing to pay. Likewise, my friend (and host this weekend) accidentally swiped another car and apologised and the owner was so charmed by her attitude that he said it wouldn't be a problem.I know insurance companies say never admit fault, but these were all circumstances where the car was off the road and where insurance didn't come into it.But it is that very insurance and claim culture which means that people seem incapable of being honest and decent; and instead go on the offensive.

My next door neighbour says he would just have dented the other guy back, but the irony is that if I had, I could have been done for criminal damage, where the other guy could not.

Yet again, the bastards in the world come out on top.

Business use

I can't sing Adrian Flux's and Chaucer's praises enough now. The people at adrian Flux have really pulled out all the stops. I had a problem about being a supply teacher and wanting to drive to school in my Ford Prefect (partly because there is a teacher at one school who loves classics and I want to show her mine), but I'd originally been told that Chaucer (the insurer) regard supply as business use.

Another insurer, Norwich Union, however, told me that supply would not count as business use with them. So I asked if Chaucer (my insurer, arranged by Adrian Flux) would see things the same way if they understood that unlike other supply teachers I don't go to more than one school in a day.

Instead of saying that I don't need business use with them either, Chaucer have decided to let me have Class 1 business use (though I am not quite sure what that includes yet), which will let me go to schools. And they have offered to increase my limited mileage to 5,000/annum from the original 1,500....all at no extra charge.

WOW !

Thanks guys; Talk about VIP treatment!



And J, get well soon.

Spring Cleaning 886 UXR

Having now insured 886 UXR, I decided it is time she was out and about, so I spent the afternoon cleaning and polishing her. Read all about it and about the list of jobs that I plan to do to get her ready for the runs, showing and generally enjoying.

VIP @ Adrian Flux

I don't think I have ever been a VIP before, but apparently that is the title which has now been put on my file. I am not sure what it means in real terms, but I won't look a gift-horse in the mouth. I am also to be refunded the £20 Adrian Flux arrangement fee, as I have spent so much time on the file myself.

back to square one

So, after a stressful week of phonecalls and emails, I finally received the new policy for the Prefect this morning from Adrian Flux, and where does the new policy say that the car will be parked overnight?

On the Drive!

(sitting here, finally lost for words)

Norwich Union honour 7-day-free promise

I did ask my friendly customer relations person at Norwich Union whether they would give me the 7 day free insurance on another car purchase, even if not bought through ebay, given that, for whatever reason, I had not received it on my mini purchase, and she has set it up. She has primed someone at another office to expect my call.

I am delighted with this outcome and want everyone reading this to know how grateful I am to Norwich Union and to this lady in particular for the way my complaint has been handled. I'd like to name her, but out of respect for her privacy, I shouldn't. After all, for the same reasons, I don't even write in my own name.

But you know who you are so, Thank YOU.