Discrimination Against Armed Forces
I recently purchase a new car from a Renault Dealership in Elgin. They offer free 7 day insurance cover which eases the transition from one car to another, mainly for road tax purposes. The insurance used by Renault is from the Advantage Insurance Company via Equity Insurance Brokers. However, I was refused insurance because I am a member of the Armed Forces. I complained to Equity and received the following reply today.
They stated: -
“Equity Insurance Brokers administer insurance on behalf of Renault UK. The policy is underwritten by Advantage Insurance Company.” “I can confirm that on 9 February 08 you contacted our office by telephone and during the call you subsequently advised our agent that you wished to obtain a free 7 day quotation. Regrettably we were unable to offer you a quotation due to your profession.” “Having referred your question regarding members of the Armed Forces to the Underwriters they have advised me that they will normally only insure Commissioned Officers who are based in the UK, there is greater risk with Non-Commissioned Officers as they may be stationed abroad and if on a base are able to take their cars with them, this leads to a lot of driving abroad, also a higher risk of vandalism and many other factors. If however they do not take their vehicles then have the risk of the vehicle being left unattended for prolonged periods of time.” “Insurers have only recently agreed to cover office based Forces staff (including MOD staff) and prior to this all forces personnel were automatically declined.
Needless to say this angered me somewhat, apparently I am not the only serviceman this has happed to with my local dealership and is sure to be the case elsewhere. I have now complained to Renault UK and to the Financial Ombudsman.
This treatment of the Armed Forces is just so typical of so many these days, fortunately I have this Anti-Armed Forces policy in writing. I would appreciate anyone with an ARRSE & Rum Ration accounts to pass this on. If I had have known this policy then I would have walked away from Renault. Maybe we should all boycott Renault, Equity and Advantage!!!