Really p*ssed. Motability - stuff they didn't tell me!

[bsac15]

Am I the only stupid person in the UK?

Last month, I signed up to a motability car on behalf on my DD2 - great worry free motoring!

I have just been informed by a friend, that I won't be insured if I use the vehicle outside of DD benefit.

I knew it was for her benefit or actions on her behalf - BUT I didn't realise that I couldn't use it to take any of my other children out & about, if DD2 wasn't in it.

This was NOT explained to me by the dealer when I signed on the dotted line.

Am I now liable to pay for & take receipt of the now ordered car?

I do not want 2 cars. I do not have room to park 2 cars.

It was after months of deliberation that I pursued this scheme.
We need a larger vehicle for DD2's equipment.

Sht Sht Sh*t

From a very unhappy, confused and teary Mummy.

(please can we have an emoticon for LARGE chocolate bar?)

[ethel1]

Are you sure we have a mobility and we can use it for work,in fact everything really,I think you may have been misinformed.

[bettyboop63]

ive a car on DLA but for my Dh not my DS but you are allowed more than one driver insured on it so how would that work then as if they are saying you can have more than one person insured on it (and i know you can) they must realise you will have to go say tesco when DD is at school??!!ring them to clarify it better obviously its a bit diff if your a parent getting it via yr DC as as a parent you will have to drive it for diff things wont you, what i know it does say is that only so many miles a year as they dont want you say using yr 7 seater as a taxi lol understandable as they pay for everything and they have to cover themselves dont they

[bettyboop63]

yes you can use it for work ie driving to and from work but not say for deliveries as you would end up going over the milage , free tyres per year ect ect

[piprabbit]

I'd be tempted to call RSA Motability on 0500 37 37 37 and check with them.

[bsac15]

Thanks for your replies.

I was warned because apparently insurance companies are getting really good at not paying out if you have an accident.

ie if you were using the car, the beneficiary was not in it. You were out for a meal with friends & using the car.

I just wanted some thing stress free, one thing less to worry about.

[bettyboop63]

my friend has a motability car she was alone in it when she had a accident 3 weeks ago she explained what happened as you have to to them and they paid for her repair no problem was same as any other insurance claim but i know someone who has 3 accidents in just over 1 year and they paid up in the end but argued it as they thought that 3 accidets in such a short time bit too many but it ended ok , my husband was driving the car himself and hit a dog last year the repair cost £nearly £10,000 but they were fantastic we had another 7 seater and a nam came and put the temp hand controlls on whilst it was repaired theyve been brill

[ethel1]

I really think someone has heard a dopey rummor
If everybody with a mobility car could only drive it when the disabled passenger was in it
there. would be an awful lot of uninsured drivers out there.
definatley going to bed now.
only answered cause you sounded so stressed

[bettyboop63]

the dog was ok btw hubby was very shook up tho big black lab running out at 10 pm in front of him scared him he crashed dog ran off

[bsac15]

thank you
i don't doubt your replies but
I will ring them tomorrow

[AgentProvocateur]

Well, I'm not sure. My friend has a mobility car for her son, but she's also had to buy another one for her commute/social occasions.

She's a real stickler for rules, and will only use it to transport her son, or for something that will benefit him - picking up his takeaway, for example.

She's the type of person who would have checked everything, so I think there may be some truth in what you've been told.

[AgentProvocateur]

I found this on their website:

Q. Does the recipient of the mobility allowance always have to travel in the car?

A. The car is provided for the benefit of the disabled person. But, they do not always need to be in the car, for example having someone else using the car to do the shopping or run errands is still of great benefit.

So, it looks like your friend is right.

[bettyboop63]

it doesnt quite work like that AP they expect/make limitations for the reasons i have already given ie they only want it used basically for family activites not for peoples financial benefit i have read the rules too you have to read it all in contex ie that would be like saying you can take yr DS to school but not the brother and sister , they expect the Family to use it too you wouldnt have one dla car for daughter and another for the rest of the family would you as you said they dont always have to be in the car no and from expierience i can tell you they dont if you have an accident say oooh no were not paying if DC was in school and you went to the shops for milk that would be preposterous

[AgentProvocateur]

That makes more sense, bettyboop.

I must ask her why she has two cars...

[bettyboop63]

they even when you take the car back ( you get £250 back now its gone up yay) say to you not to worry where the other dc have scuffed seats ect dirtied the carpet so badly , i was truly expecting what with a couple of tiny scratches they would say no to the money back but they ,this is my second car with them now, said dont worry we expect that when a families using it , general wear and tear ,and i was going to clean it ect they said dont even bother were going to valet it before selling anyway , generally my exp with thems been fab and when you have a query or problem motobility are so very helpful. you get tyres, any work /repairs done free on it service free tax free(and the tax when its renewed comes automatic too) and insurance and green flag so no breakdown worries all you do is clean it n fill it up , lets face it these days thats the REALLY expensive part when weve had to have anything done on it motobility have aranged another car for us and ours isnt easy as we have to have someone come round and do a disable conversion on it and that costs a lot of money but they do it anyway...lol i sound likke a salesman but for us its exactly been that trouble free driving

[starfishmummy]

Technically I think it has to be for the benefit of the disabled person (just like having free road tax is). Its just a case iof being "creative" if you are asked I think - you are using it to go to work as your wages benefit the disabled person sort of thing.

I don't have a moitability car - I use the DLA to buy and run one.

Another thing is that because it is a lease car, you don't automatically get a no claims bonus on it so if you change back to buying a car you may have to build it up again. (Some insurers give you a few years credit but not a full ncb; even if it is what you have)

[Sidge]

The car is for the use and/or benefit of the disabled person.

That includes the adult driving the car to work to earn money to support the disabled child, for example. I had to check this as I needed to add 'for business use' to my Motability insurance and I could do so as long as I stayed within my mileage. I checked with them and can generally use the car as our main family car even if DD2 isn't in the car, as long as it benefits her eg going to the supermarket food shopping, picking up her medications, nappies etc, doing the school run etc.

The policy limitations are to restrict the sort of situation whereby disabled lady Maud gets a Motability vehicle but can't drive it, nominates her son Bob as a named driver but then Bob uses the car 100% of the time for his personal use only occasionally taking his mum Maud to the GPs once in a blue moon.

[Sidge]

Should clarify when doing the school run DD2 is in the car, but then I drop her off and then continue to drop DD3 off elsewhere, IYKWIM.

[bigbluebus]

I am now on 4th Motability car for DD. Have always used it myself even when DD not in car. Wherever DD is - school, holiday club, respite, home respite with carer - I am always on call - so on that basis I need to have her car in case I am called upon in emergency - I wouldn't be much use to her if got a call and had to wait 2 hrs for a bus which may or may not get me to where she is!!! The joys of living in a rural area!

However, when this contract expires DD will be nearly 19 so am already considering buying separate car for me at that point, so that any carers that our dear SS may provide (not holding breath) will be able to take DD out without me.

Can't see the point in having a separate car now just to clog up the drive. (DH has his own vehicle to get to work and I do use that sometimes at weekends just cos it's much smaller and easier to drive - but DD doesn't fit in it!)

Thankfully, have never had to claim on insurance, so haven't tested the system, but can't see them backing out of paying unless you were using car for business use without telling them.

[bettyboop63]

you all explained it much more eloquently than i ever could ty ive only had to claim once but they were fine the main drawback as is starfishmmummy say's the no claims aspect

[Sidge]

You don't accumulate No Claims Bonus, but they will write a letter if you need one saying that in x years of having a Motability policy you have never made a claim.

We got one for when DH bought his own car and his new insurers took it into account and we got 4 years NCB-equivalent.

[bigbluebus]

bsac15 Just out of interest - did you get around to ringing Motability today to check about the insurance? If so, what did they say?

[badlyinjured123456]

I was knocked down in a car accident 2 years 2 month ago. I am with RSA motability scheme, and went to a lawyer because I knew there were serious injuries I had sustained. Even though I have had medical reports produced to back up all my injuries, there has been no response to a request for an interim payment two or three months ago to cover me for the hearing aids I now need and other treatment necessary because of life changing injuries. A lady called Gail Harvey is dealing with it at RSA motability and the case is just dragging on and on even though I am in a lot of pain now most of the time. There seems to be no humanity from them, I feel they are very cruel to deal with from my experience of this company.

[greenknitting]

Ring Motability for your own peace of mind but your friend is misinformed. I have a motability car for my son, and also had an accident in it. At no point was I grilled about the purpose of my journey (my son wasn't in the car).

[lisajordan12]

I have a questions I'm 24 and the car is unsuitable that I drive for dad it's to low down he was looking at the Volkswagen tiguan as it's under 25 but under 25 is £1149 pounds
And over 25 is 749ap
I'm wondering has there been any exceptions for them to by pass this and allow it as my dad has been on the scheme a year now with no issues plus I'm 25 in October what do you guys think

Would we be allowed to go for the over 25 one at 749ap