RAF Brize Norton ANPR Insurance Trap

[Woody]

Hi all. I've just been emailed this by my boses in a bid to warn others!

Hello everyone

Having felt the full force of the law this morning, I felt I had to let you all know asap of what happened to me on my normal journey to work today:

Having driven through RAF Brize Norton main gate at 7.30am, it transpired that an ANPR operation was in place with the RAF Police and Thames Valley civilian Police working in conjunction with one another.
Driving my personal car, I was ushered into the search lane for what I presumed was a standard search.
However. The RAF Police officer informed me that my vehicle was not insured, to which I said it was.
After being sent on my way and told to wait for a call and having popped home to access my insurance documents and check my direct debits were still in force, I was confident that they had made a mistake.
At around 10.15am, both Police officers entered the facility and informed me that they had some "good and bad" news.
The good news was that I was insured. The bad news was that as I was dressed in work attire and was obviously commuting to work, I was not actually insured to commute. They were correct. As someone who automatically lets my insurance renew online and even taxes my car online nowadays, I had not checked the (extremely small) print.
The penalty for such a crime? A £200 fine and 6 points on my licence. In addition, my car was impounded. The release fee is £150. I have 14 days to pick it up or it will be crushed. There is a further £25 fee for every day they hold the car.
I have in my lunchtime walked to my Swinton insurance office in the local town of Carterton. My documents have quickly been changed to read 'INC'luding commuting. The cost? Nothing. However, once the six points kick in I will potentially face a substantial increase in my premium on renewal as well as money I had put away for house improvements gone in a second.
So there you have it, a big lesson learned and although I'm taking it to court to contest it, I thought you'd all appreciate the heads up, not just for yourselves, but also for your friends and family.

I personally think they should focus their spare time on catching those with no insurance what so ever! [smilie=icon_aaargh.gif] [smilie=icon_aaargh.gif] [smilie=icon_aaargh.gif]

 

[maxi.man]

tell them you had been to a fancy dress party and was late for work although you where wearing a military uniform infact it wasnt your personal one for work.

anyway as you do a service to us here keeping us safe and our familys im sure the members of the club will have a whip round for you to help pay some of your costs. i certainly will

 

[Woody]

tell them you had been to a fancy dress party and was late for work although you where wearing a military uniform infact it wasnt your personal one for work.

anyway as you do a service to us here keeping us safe and our familys im sure the members of the club will have a whip round for you to help pay some of your costs. i certainly will

I don't know who it is personally but I'm keen to see what happens when it goes to court!

 

[® Andy]

That's remarkably bad luck. The default class of insurance with most is social + commuting to a fixed place of work. So using a car for business miles needs extra, but the simple act of driving to your normal place of work is a base entitlement.

 

[DFB]

That was a nice thing to say Maxi-man. Good on you.

Ps - I would have chipped in too.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

 

[Woody]

That was a nice thing to say Maxi-man. Good on you.

Ps - I would have chipped in too.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

Here here!

 

[CraigV6]

Fairs fair.
If they were to have an accident whilst commuting and hit another driver, the other driver wouldn't be able to claim against them as they weren't insured to commute.
No sympathy from me I'm afraid.

Always insure the car honestly and always check documents to ensure they are correct.
It's not worth the risk, which is proven in this case.

 

[Banjo232232]

Why did he even attempt to drive a "social" car to work? Same questions would be asked if he ever crashed or even if someone crashed into him. Everyone knows the insurance industry is a slippery slope so why would anyone let themselves be exposed? I certainly would never let myself be.

 

[Woody]

I understand the insurance wet sand, but this should be standardised so no one gets caught out. If they ANPR'd the whole of the M25 during rush hour I'm convinced 75% of motorists would be caught out!

The fine, Points and impounded car is more than what these job dodgers get for having NO insurance; I think it was too harsh, after all, at least they had bothered to get insurance in the first place!

 

[CraigV6]

Woody, would your story change if they had hit you in your V6, written it off and you would be unable to claim as they have no insurance or would you still be supportive?

 

[captain]

If its a genuine mistake it is just really bad luck woody, but there has to be a line,no insurance is no insurance at the end of the day.
I know the police are doing similar and hitting hard on take away drivers using there own cars for business.
Fookin insurance company's win every time!

 

[taipan]

I know this sounds strange but the guy is actually lucky! The police could have gone down the road of driving without valid insurance. That's what I was charged with last year when I got stung by a hand held gatso being generous with my speed. Copper 1 and copper 2 were in a great little spot and were knocking speeders down like flies so had no time/inclination to phone my insurance company to get them to prove I had all the mods insured. Worked out in the end but was a very informative experience.

End of the day the motoring public are a series of risks. The details given determine premium level. Working in the industry I see claims being denied for a multitude of reasons but an 'easy win' for insurers Is wrong or incomplete details. The policy holder is duty bound to provide 100% accurate details prior to inception.

Having said all that it still sucks and I feel for the guy.

 

[Woody]

Woody, would your story change if they had hit you in your V6, written it off and you would be unable to claim as they have no insurance or would you still be supportive?

Not at all, a huge number of people have incorrect insurance or no insurance at all; it's the risk we are all paying for. The insurance industry needs to standardise insurance across the board in my eye.

The manner this person got caught out which has angered many. The RAF Police invited Thames Valley police onto the base to carry out ANPR checks. Now I know for a fact that the RAF Copper will get a nice write-up for this exercise and that again has angered many in the RAF.

Anyhow rant over with, the incident has probably had the desired effect and I'm convinced many people have since slipped away into the darkness and spoken to their insurance companies to effect changes!

Now where's that number for Mr Flux..................... :rofl:

 

[Kett]

I had a call from Admiral (soon after signing-up) that the Vees were not insured for commuting and 'what if' the main car was broken...
It was a good point - but in my case I can walk to work. I though they were being CF's trying to fleece me for more money, but Woody's story makes me inclined to be grateful...

 

[SimonLM]

I wonder how many people get caught out like this,

If I am honest I think it's right I insure 8 company cars, which i have to pay a large premium, My guys quote on jobs and when they are lost its usually to a guy who uses his own estate car to work from, likely cutting his costs by not getting business or to and from work policy's

Lesson insure your cars accordingly