I have contacted Direct Line today to obtain a quote for the Skoda Yeti that I have ordered, and following the number of initial questions including the standard manufacturer modifications made to the vehicle, they actually confirmed, after consulting with their underwriter that they could not provide me a quote, nor insure this Yeti because it was fitted with an off-road button.

I stated to them that, this was a standard manufacturer’s option, and that this is something that is shipped as standard on the 4x4 Elegance model of this vehicle. I also asked that if they cannot ensure the model that I went for, this surely implied that they should not ensure the 4x4 Yeti Elegance model as well. The only reply I got from direct line telephone representative regarding this, was “it must be so then”. I somehow think that they may not be providing a true answer.

It would be good to know if anyone on this forum has managed to get a comprehensive cover for a 4x4 Yeti Elegance with Direct Line, and if so would they actually be covered if they made a claim.

I'm with DL and had no problem. The offroad button is standard on my Yeti. They just asked the usual questions about modifications and extras, but nothing else was mentioned. I tried Gocompare last week, and while some of the companies wouldn't do a web based quote because of the extras, I still got over a dozen prices - ranging from quite good to the downright daft.

Andy

I have contacted Direct Line today to obtain a quote for the Skoda Yeti that I have ordered, and following the number of initial questions including the standard manufacturer modifications made to the vehicle, they actually confirmed, after consulting with their underwriter that they could not provide me a quote, nor insure this Yeti because it was fitted with an off-road button.

I stated to them that, this was a standard manufacturer’s option, and that this is something that is shipped as standard on the 4x4 Elegance model of this vehicle. I also asked that if they cannot ensure the model that I went for, this surely implied that they should not ensure the 4x4 Yeti Elegance model as well. The only reply I got from direct line telephone representative regarding this, was “it must be so then”. I somehow think that they may not be providing a true answer.

It would be good to know if anyone on this forum has managed to get a comprehensive cover for a 4x4 Yeti Elegance with Direct Line, and if so would they actually be covered if they made a claim.

Forget Direct Line they only want business with no risk. I now use Chris Knott, as recommended on BRISKODA.

Chris

Why tell them about the button?

It is not a modification, but a standard fitment, that has been subject to European type approval.

I suspect that Direct Line have presumed that because you mentioned it you will be driving off-road, and are therefore too great a risk to them. From experience from the 4x4 world I know there have been big arguements with them over what a "road" is, and they once stated that anything that wasn't surfaced wasn't included, which is legally incorrect.

I have just had to change insurers as Privelege wont insure "modified cars" ...never mind I now have mine insured all mods declared including protected no claims discount, courtesy car and legal for £300 a year

I'm with DL and had no problem. The offroad button is standard on my Yeti. They just asked the usual questions about modifications and extras, but nothing else was mentioned.

Andy

+1 And DL were totally sensible about my fitting of winter tyres. No cost and very promptly sent out letter confirming the 'mod'.

The reason I told them about the button is because they asked me if I had done any modifications to the vehicle, and the manufacturer's options are listed and considered as modifications according to Direct Line.

I certainly did not mentioned to them that I would like to drive off road, as this is not my intension, but what is troubling them is the terminology and naming convention of the term "off road" button, which to them insinuate driving in the country side, in a cross country style.

I have been a Direct Line customer in excess of twelve years now, and find it absurd that they are querying this aspect, and denying the possibility to insure a vehicle whose top of the range version has this feature as standard.

So it looks very much likely that I shall be changing my insurance, as a result.

Skoda insurance has been very much OK so far with the quotation and are not causing any problems in that respect, so there is a chance that I may be switching with them.

However, I require an insurance that is dependable and if there is a definite problem e.g. accident or theft or something else of equal importance, they will be there to help.

I had a quick look at the insurance companies mentioned in this forum, but I am not familiar with them, so I may have to do a bit of research and see how they are rated, before I request for a quote.

Skoda Insurance is provided by Allianz.

Loyalty counts for nothing in the Insurance world.

I have just had to change insurers as Privelege wont insure "modified cars" ...never mind I now have mine insured all mods declared including protected no claims discount, courtesy car and legal for £300 a year

Privelege is the same company as direct line just a different brand.

Bit like Currys and Dixons.

Still don't see how a manufacturers standard fitment / extra is a modification.

Even if I didn't wish to continue my insurance with Direct Line I would be taking this up with them at a senior level, especially now as you have been REFUSED insurance, which "should" be reported on all future applications.

The "off-road" button is a standard fitment on the Elegance 4x4 and an option on others. It is a standard Skoda factory fit part that has been subject to type approval on the Yeti. It cannot be fitted by a dealer post-manufacture. It is NOT a modification in any sense of the word, and for them to say so is ridiculous.

I'm tempted to get a quote from them just to see what they say.

Even if I didn't wish to continue my insurance with Direct Line I would be taking this up with them at a senior level, especially now as you have been REFUSED insurance, which "should" be reported on all future applications.

The "off-road" button is a standard fitment on the Elegance 4x4 and an option on others. It is a standard Skoda factory fit part that has been subject to type approval on the Yeti. It cannot be fitted by a dealer post-manufacture. It is NOT a modification in any sense of the word, and for them to say so is ridiculous.

I'm tempted to get a quote from them just to see what they say.

No, 'he' hasn't been refused insurance. DL have simply said they're not willing to cover that vehicle. Very different.

I've never been insured with DL, but two friends who have said they were cr*p when they actually had to make claims - so maybe you're better off without them.

from experience i can say that admiral are very good and prompt with settling claims.

as for cover with no worries, i use royal and sun alliance.

It is true that my current insurance with Direct Line is persisting for my current vehicle for the time being, and that, what they do not want to insure is the new Yeti vehicle, which I have not received yet.

I would be happy if someone else were to ask them for a quote and verify my statements. In fact, something else that bothers me with Direct Line is that they have said that they would be two penalty fees if I were to terminate my current insurance cover with them while my current the policy period is still valid. The first penalty fee would cost £26 to terminate the cover, and the second additional penalty fee would amount to 50% of the of the breakdown cover for this period, as I had added a Green Flag break down cover to my comprehensive insurance with them. Also Direct Line could not tell me what this value was without first terminating my cover with them. Very, very annoying to be honest, because I still require my cover for the existing vehicle that I own.

This bothers me so much so that I am very much tempted to contact “which?†magazine legal advice and explain the situation to them. However I kind of do not dare, as Direct Line could cause me more grief if I did do so. Yet, another reason that prevents me from contacting “which?†legal advice, is the fact that I may not be able to post entries to in this forum and in parallel to the “which?†legal advice.

I'm sure Direct Line would insure a Landrover Discovery or 110 - Both can be used off road so whats the problem? I'm sure that in a lot of areas just now the 'Off Road' button would be useful on some of out Pothole roads

Most cars will also go over 70mph, but insurance companies dont stop insurance cover on this factor!

No, 'he' hasn't been refused insurance. DL have simply said they're not willing to cover that vehicle. Very different.

that is quite right. "You" have not been refused insurance. They have for some daft reason refused to cover the car.

I have been very happy with Skoda Insurance provided by Allianz. I haveeven spoken to the underwriters a few time because of the various modifications to my car which were done after it was delivered.

It is true that my current insurance with Direct Line is persisting for my current vehicle for the time being, and that, what they do not want to insure is the new Yeti vehicle, which I have not received yet.

I would be happy if someone else were to ask them for a quote and verify my statements. In fact, something else that bothers me with Direct Line is that they have said that they would be two penalty fees if I were to terminate my current insurance cover with them while my current the policy period is still valid. The first penalty fee would cost £26 to terminate the cover, and the second additional penalty fee would amount to 50% of the of the breakdown cover for this period, as I had added a Green Flag break down cover to my comprehensive insurance with them. Also Direct Line could not tell me what this value was without first terminating my cover with them. Very, very annoying to be honest, because I still require my cover for the existing vehicle that I own.

This bothers me so much so that I am very much tempted to contact “which?†magazine legal advice and explain the situation to them. However I kind of do not dare, as Direct Line could cause me more grief if I did do so. Yet, another reason that prevents me from contacting “which?†legal advice, is the fact that I may not be able to post entries to in this forum and in parallel to the “which?†legal advice.

Direct Line are very fond of slapping a £26 fee on anyone who wants to leave, obviously to discourage leavers. We had problems with them when my wife was covered with them and sold her car, and wanted to leave. So I just voted with my feet, and did not renew our house insurance or Pet insurance I had with them, it's the only weapon you have, as our complaints fell on deaf ears.

I would also like to add to this discussion that I have had issues with Lloyds TSB Car Insurance very recently, whereby they would not quote me for a renewal on a Mini Cooper, despite the fact that I have had insurance with them continuously for 10 years and they had covered the car from new for the previous 2 years. I t all boiled down to the fact that they insisted that a certain options pack was considered to be a "Modification" despite me telling them that it was a factory fitted standard option and the car I purchased was already in stock at the dealer. I contacted Saga, mentioned Lloyds comments and they said no problem, they new that the pack was a factory fit and therefore not a "Modification" and were more than happy to quote me £260 fully comp, for full business use, unlimited EU Travel, Legal Assistance, and protected no claims. I also received the same quote (£260) for my Yeti 170 4x4 Elegance (if it ever arrives!!).

So, does this in fact mean that Direct line will not cover any model of Land Rover, in fact any vehicle that has an electrically (Switch) operated 4x4 mode. You may also recall the recent fiasco whereby insurance company`s were insisting that Winter Tyre fitment was a "Modification" and therefore required a hike in premiums. This was subsequently debunked by the AA, the insurance company`s backtracked and blamed it on call centre operatives who misunderstood their prompt cards, perhaps that is what is happening now.

In my experince Lloyds TSB insurance are very picky. I asked for a quote from them once, got as far as the any claims question - answer yes 3 years before and the conversion ended. They simply wouldn't quote.

EDIT Just asked for a quote for the Yeti (insurance due next month) Nearly double my renewal with DL

Andy

I do understand premiums have gone up big time. So best to look around.

My plans to reduce premium:

a. pass IAM driving test before insurance renewal.

b. I have fitted vehicle drive recorders front and rear.

I do understand premiums have gone up big time. So best to look around.

My plans to reduce premium:

a. pass IAM driving test before insurance renewal.

b. I have fitted vehicle drive recorders front and rear.

I used the IAM Surity Insurance Company, they provided the best deal for me (and SHMBO who is not an IAM member!)

So, does this in fact mean that Direct line will not cover any model of Land Rover, in fact any vehicle that has an electrically (Switch) operated 4x4 mode.

The Haldex 4x4 on the Yeti functions all the time. Thus the Off-Road button doesn't switch the 4x4 off or on. What it actually does is adjust the characteristics of some of the electronic driver aids to suit loose terrain better.

I used the IAM Surity Insurance Company, they provided the best deal for me (and SHMBO who is not an IAM member!)

+1 for both me and SWMBO - No other companies could get nearer their price. It is IAM Surety provided by Adelaide Insurance Services.

I haven't told them about any of my options on my car besides the Xenon's as these are most likely to be damaged in an accident.

To be fair they haven't asked and i really can't see why i should tell them....If i was to buy the car 2nd hand i wouldn't know what was and wasn't standard with how often Skoda change their options and offers.

All insurance companies have access to various databases so they know exactly what is standard fit on any car when you tell them the model and trim level that you have. I'm afraid I'm very sceptical about insurance - there is as little rhyme and reason to what they quote, and what they will quote for, as there is in Skoda's approach to options available in the UK!

You just have to shop around, I'm afraid - I got a really great deal from LV=, but others have not.

All insurance companies have access to various databases so they know exactly what is standard fit on any car when you tell them the model and trim level that you have. I'm afraid I'm very sceptical about insurance - there is as little rhyme and reason to what they quote, and what they will quote for, as there is in Skoda's approach to options available in the UK!

You just have to shop around, I'm afraid - I got a really great deal from LV=, but others have not.

Absolutely; all depends on what deals the brokers can make at any particular moment, and it's pointless to look for any consistency - there isn't any. Look around and find the best deal you can for you. It's no different to looking for the best deal for the car you want to buy.

The Haldex 4x4 on the Yeti functions all the time. Thus the Off-Road button doesn't switch the 4x4 off or on. What it actually does is adjust the characteristics of some of the electronic driver aids to suit loose terrain better.

I am fully aware that the Haldex system is a psuedo full time system in that during normal road and driving conditions some 96% of the engines traction is delivered to the front wheels and that it does not switch the 4X4 system off. The sensors detect any difference in speed between the front and rear axles and, via that Haldex clutch, can divert up to 90% of the torque to the rear axle.This is precisely why I mentioned Land Rover in particular, because they use a full time 4X4 system controlled by a software program using the ABS sensors to brake individual wheels and engine output, very similar to the Haldex controller fitted to the Yeti.

The vast majority of true 4X4 vehicles including all "Pick Up" types use a cheaper method whereby the normal mode is rear drive and the switch to all wheel drive is done electrically via a button as opposed to the older method which used a lever.I therefore suggested that theoretically Direct Line would apply the same logic to these vehicles as they have done to the original posters Yeti request.