Common car insurance problems and advice – Honest John advice

Honest John has been the resident “agony uncle” at The Daily Telegraph for more than 20 years, responding to readers’ car-related queries with his trademark blend of experience, authority and, sometimes, bluntness.

He remains undeterred by the volume of correspondence he receives every week, from car-buying advice to the sort of complex legal cases from which he has gained a solid reputation as a champion of consumer rights.

Despite receiving many hundreds of queries each week from Telegraph readers and via his own website, Honest continues to deliver his no-nonsense – and, always, highly trusted – advice.

For ease of use, we’ve broken batches of Honest John queries into sections relating to the nature of the problem, such as tyres, odd noises, diesel issues, automatic gearboxes and the like.

If your car has developed a fault, or for consumer advice, turn to Honest John by emailing honestadvice@Finance.co.uk

And if you’re one of the many readers who simply enjoys the amusing headlines (credit goes to Simon Arron for these), then go to our selection from the extensive Honest John archive.

Car insurance restrictions

Do you know which insurance companies would let me fit smaller wheels for winter tyres? My Golf has 19-inch rims and winter tyres are hard to find. My current insurer (AXA) refuses to cover 18-inch wheels, even though they are offered by VW for this model. Nobody would listen to my reasoning about improved traction and greater safety. RH

Probably time to change your insurer… There will simply be some all-encompassing “no-modifications” rule that is applied by call-centre staff who aren’t allowed to use common sense. You’ll need to phone around, trying direct insurers that allow staff to use their initiative.

Trading in your car

I have been offered £10,300 for my vehicle by webuyanycar.com. My concern is that they want the car immediately and it will take a few days for the money to arrive. I would leave them with the car, the keys, V5, service book and so on. What is your advice? Are they reputable enough? AN

It is part of British Car Auctions, a huge operation. You will get your money on the promised day.

Do you need insurance if a car is on a SORN?

My old car is on a Statutory Off-Road Notification certificate (SORN) and parked on my private driveway without an MoT. I have been told it needs to be insured. Surely this is incorrect? WN

It is incorrect. If the car is on a SORN it does not have to be continuously insured. Without a SORN, it does.

Adding a temporary driver to your car insurance policy

My father is visiting me for few weeks. He holds a valid Indian and international licence. I would like him to use my car. I would appreciate if you could guide me on insurance? PKM

Firstly, ask your regular insurer. Some do, some don’t. Otherwise, try dayinsure.com – and if they won’t do it, try aplan.co.uk.

Keeping a car abroad

We keep a 2006 Saab 9.5 Vector In Italy and have to bring it home every year for its MoT. While it’s nice to wander through Europe, it can cost about £2,000 per homebound trip. We are thinking of buying a newish car so that we can leave it there for almost years before an MoT is due. It would have to be reasonably comfortable, with automatic transmission and cruise control. DB

It is against EU law to keep a car in a different member state from the one in which it is registered for more than six months in any calendar year. You’ve only got away with it because no one has noticed. I’d buy something like a Peugeot 2008 1.2 Puretech 110 EAT6 in Italy, register it to your Italian property and insure it over there.

Disputing charges for hire car damage

I hired a car from Avis and reversed it into a tree (major blind spot on a Fiat Punto). It made a dent about the size of my palm on one rear panel, but I received a bill for £1,000 – I feel that is outrageous (I used to run a garage with its own bodyshop). I have complained, but what else can I do? AK

Take the matter to small claims: www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money. The rental contract will render you liable for the damage. Your argument is the "reasonableness" of the cost. You can demand an invoice for the work from whoever did it for Avis, and can call them as a witness.

Legal driving requirements

The lease on my sister’s Motability car expires soon and she decided to buy it for her nephew. The rules stated that she must pay for the car by mid-September, which she did. She is now the official owner but they have told her that the road tax and contract will be in her name for a few more weeks. Her nephew has taken out fully comprehensive insurance. Can he legally drive the car straight away? KG

If it is taxed and he is insured, yes.

Claiming for pothole damage

I have driven my Morgan down two potholes. I couldn’t see them because they were full of water. I now know that months ago they were reported to our local parish council, but don’t know whether the parish council passed on the information. The damage looks to exceed £1,000 for parts and labour alone. I want to bill someone for this. How should I proceed? DW

You have to prove that the council responsible knew about the potholes and had not done anything about them. Check the records at www.fixmystreet.co.uk and www.potholes.co.uk – if you can prove the potholes were reported and that nothing was done, you can attempt a small claim in the county court: www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/

Buying and insuring a car with a budget

My 51-year-old daughter is coming to the end of a drink-driving ban. Previous to this she had been on the road for more than 30 years with a clean licence and unblemished insurance record. She has £4,000 to spend. Is there any chance she could get a reliable runabout and pay insurance for that kind of money? JS

Insurance will be huge, but if she restricts herself to a relatively reliable 2003-2005 Toyota Yaris 1.0 she might be able to get the car and her first year’s insurance for £4,000.

Hire car administration fees

I hired a car in Italy. Avis later said it it had been notified of a fine imposed during my use of their vehicle and that the issuing authority would send written notification to me with the reason for the fine in due course. I was surprised to see that, apart from what the fine might cost, Avis is taking £30 from my credit card as an administration fee. Is this usual? AR

It’s normal for a car rental company to charge for the administration of a penalty. It is legally bound to notify the issuing authority of the identity, licence details and address of the offender, so naturally it charges for this. The penalty notice itself might not arrive with you for as long as a year, if it arrives at all. The issuing authority might give up.

Obtaining extended warranty

My Mercedes E220 CDI Bluetec auto will soon be three years old and I intend to keep it for some time. I have had it since new and have done 27,000 miles. Mercedes is offering an extended warranty for £72 per month. Is this good value for money? BW

No. That’s £864 a year for a car that is supposed to be reliable. If you feel you require reassurance, get competitive quotes from Motoreasy.com and warrantywise.com.

Why do insurance renewal prices increase?

I received my latest insurance renewal notice from Aviva for my seven-year-old Abarth 500. The premium has gone up from £268 to £293. I decided to try a market comparison and was quoted £217.75 by quotemehappy.com for exactly the same cover. So I’ve renewed via that company – which, it turns out, is part of Aviva. Is this common practice? JT

This is how private equity-funded businesses are run: AA, RAC and most insurers. They try to squeeze people for as much as they can, but relent if the customers fight back.

Mercedes tyre insurance

I took your advice and bought a Mercedes E250 auto estate, instead of a Skoda Superb DSG, to tow our caravan. The Mercedes garage has already started asking me to sign up for extras, but the tyre insurance seems interesting. With tyres on the Merc being pretty expensive, is this a good option? I have already ignored the gap insurance, having obtained it elsewhere for four years at £214. Any thoughts? MG

If it’s on sensible 16-inch wheels and tyres, you won’t need the insurance. If it’s on big wheels with low-profile tyres and if the insurance covers damage from kerbing, you might.

Should I consider insurance from car dealers?

We are about to take delivery of a new Jaguar saloon. The retailer is offering gap insurance, wheel, tyre and cosmetic or chip insurances. Should I consider any of these? BS

Gap (“return to invoice”) insurance can be worth having, but it is much cheaper bought independently from a specialist such as ala.co.uk (there are many more providers). The other add-ons are all commission earners. At least half of what you pay goes to the salesman and/or the dealer. Up to you, but I wouldn’t bother.

Hidden charges

I sold my Land Rover Defender XS and bought a slightly earlier Defender County with a much lower mileage. My insurer initially claimed that this was a commercial vehicle, despite it being virtually identical to the previous one. They demanded copies of the registration document and photographs before grudgingly conceding it was a car. They then charged me £111 extra for "change of vehicle", arguing that statistically one is more likely to have an accident after such a change. It was cheaper to pay the £111 than cancel the existing policy and renew with a different insurer. Extortionate?GH

That’s not good. Private equity investors have latched on to car insurance because it’s compulsory and they have everyone over a barrel. But, of course, next time you’ll look around, so their nasty little tricks will lose them your business.

Should I buy a new car with a smaller engine?

We are considering a two-year old Ford C-Max 1.0 Ecoboost to replace our ageing Focus 1.8 TDCi. We haven’t had the opportunity to test one yet, but I am a little concerned that the car may be underpowered with only a 1.0-litre engine. RC

It isn’t underpowered or deficient in torque. The problem is that a number of owners have suffered failed clutches and dual mass flywheels with the 1.0 Ecoboost and six-speed manual in Focus and C-Max models. Ford denies a problem and blames the owners. You’re probably better off with a Toyota Verso or a Kia Carens, both of which come with five-year warranties.

Making a claim against a garage

A Gloucester garage did some work on my car and the repair failed due to a faulty sensor. The business has since closed and the owner tells me he is filing for bankruptcy, although I have since discovered that he was reimbursed for the faulty sensor. Is there any point in me using the small claims court to recover money from the garage? I assume not. GR

There’s no point making a claim against a bankrupt business or a bankrupt individual because you will be at the end of a long line of creditors that always starts with HMRC.

What is gap insurance?

I bought a new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and was offered gap insurance for about £400 for 12 months.  I don’t really understand it and wondered if it was worth buying? WJK

It covers you for the difference between what an insurer will pay you if your car is written off and the original invoice price of the car. Some comprehensive policies cover you for this anyway for the first year, so check your policy. If not, try www.ala.co.uk to see how much it costs to buy gap insurance independently for 12 months: it’s probably about £100.

Insuring a leased car

I have an eight-year-old Honda Jazz. I am considering a new car before it needs expensive replacements. Would a short-term lease be a better option than buying? DMB

Insurance might be difficult and/or expensive for a leased car at your age. I’d buy. There is a better 1.5i 130 VTEC engine on the way for the Jazz. If you don’t need Jazz versatility, consider a Suzuki Swift 1.0T Boosterjet six-speed auto. If you want something smaller, look at a new Kia Picanto.

Insurance protection

I asked my broker whether no-claims discount protection was worth having and was told that my premium would rise as the result of a claim but the discount percentage would be protected. I continued with the protection. The key is how much this is worth to the insured in relation to the cost. BE

Fair point. Thank you.

Adding a named driver

My daughter is coming over from New Zealand and I would like to lend her my car. Is there an insurance company that offers free-standing policies for such cases? PT

Look at www.dayinsure.com or www.aplan.co.uk.

Should I extend my warranty?

The warranty on my Audi Q5 is about to expire. Audi has offered extended warranty, but can you recommend any alternatives? DL

Options include www.motoreasy.com or www.warrantywise.co.uk.

Additional car protection

Is it worth paying £52 for a no-claims discount protection on my insurance policy for a 2005 Jaguar S-type? DM

I don’t think so. Readers’ experience proves that premiums still rise if they are involved in a claim.

Changing your car insurance provider

I have had to pay almost £1,200 to insure my Toyota Auris hybrid. I accept that my age (87) does not help, but I have been told that it is also because my car is a hybrid. Friends in their mid-eighties driving conventional 1.2- and 1.5-litre cars are paying only about half that amount. DG

Change insurer. My father was with Direct Line until he gave up driving at 92 due to macular deterioration. He was paying £360 a year, fully comprehensive, for a Toyota Auris Hybrid T-Spirit.

Obtaining breakdown cover

Where can I get reasonable European breakdown cover for a 2006 Audi A4 Cabriolet? JW

I used to recommend Britannia Rescue, but recently reader accolades have been flowing in for the RAC’s continental breakdown service.

Car accident claims

My stationary car was bumped by another driver. I have an independent witness and the other party has admitted liability.  However, despite me obtaining and supplying two quotes (VW £250, independent £140), the other party is now ignoring communication.  Are my only options to stump up the cash myself or contact my insurer? I also note my Direct Line insurance renewal quote has increased from £220 to £316. I am thus reluctant to inform my insurer. LM

You could try a small claims case against the other party: www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/overview, but if he/she makes a claim you have to disclose it to your own insurer and your premium will probably increase again as a consequence. It might be more expedient just to pay up the £140.

Increase in insurance prices

I have just received my insurance renewal and it has the wording "Guaranteed no-claim discount does not protect the overall price of your insurance policy. The price of your insurance policy may increase following an accident or claim even if you were not at fault.” It seems to me that whatever happens they will increase the premium and this "guarantee" is virtually worthless. TL

The experience of other readers bears this out. “Protected NCD” doesn’t seem to mean anything so isn’t worth buying.