I was watching TV last night when an advert for Direct Line popped up - it was the "Twin Brothers" advert, if you've seen it you'll know which one I'm on about.

It was quite possibly one of the most disingenous adverts I've ever seen, misleading, bordering on outright lying. For those who haven't seen the advert, the gist is as follows:

- Two guys (the twin brothers)

- Two identical cars (SEAT Leons, as it happens)

- Two identical accidents (shunted from behind; clearly not their fault(s))

- Two uninsured other drivers

The difference is, one brother has Direct Line insurance, the other doesn't. The advert then goes on to say that the Direct Line brother won't have to lose no claims bonus or pay out an excess, while the other brother does. Why? Because at wonderful Direct Line, you get it all paid for, while at other, nasty insurers, you do.

Uh, right.

Has anyone heard of the Motor Insurer's Bureau, which runs a centrally-held fund designed to compensate those who lose out due to uninsured drivers? The same central fund who we all pay into via our insurance premiums every year? Not heard of it? Of course not, because few people have... and those who haven't are exactly the kind of people that Direct Line are apparently trying to convince to buy their insurance. And, call me cynical if you like (many do), but I'm pretty certain that all they'll do is claim from the fund on your behalf anyway...

Nice Guy Mike

Yes but I don't think the MIB can do anything about the NCB- thats up to the insurer and I would think some companies will make folk loose them!

Yes but I don't think the MIB can do anything about the NCB- thats up to the insurer and I would think some companies will make folk loose them!

Not really - as I understand it, if you need to make a claim from the central fund, you do it directly - i.e. you don't claim from your insurer. You don't make a claim, and they can't dock your NCB. Some helpful insurers might assist you in making a claim (if only because doing so means they won't have to pay out your fully comp claim, and so won't cost them anything), but it doesn't mean you're claiming from them.

That's my understanding, at least - if anyone else knows differently, let me know.

Nice Guy Mike

I'm with Direct Line and had an uninsured driver hit me from behind, shunting me into the car in front and writing my car off. I'm still waiting for the

I'm with Direct Line and had an uninsured driver hit me from behind, shunting me into the car in front and writing my car off. I'm still waiting for the