I've been looking at using the Amdro Boot Jump in our Motability car, and rang Motability today to check whether it would need to be notified to their insurers. I was not a little dismayed to hear that not only is it it forbidden to sleep in a Motability car overnight, but also to carry inflammable liquids or gas, or any kind of cooking stove.
Thought other Motability users needed to know about this. I for one have carried camping equipment for many years without having any idea that it was forbidden.
Our car is almost out of lease now so I'll be looking at purchasing rather than renewing the lease. Anyone else come across this issue?
To find out the legal issue it's best to contact the insurance company direct that insures all the Motability vehicles which is Royal Sun Alliance. Their contact number will be in your corresponding documentation that came with your current lease car.
I suggest you ask their opinion of how the Disability Discrimination Act impacts on their decision and please could you have a detailed explanation of why they have made this decision and the evidence they consulted.
Section 19 1c, 1d and 3f make for interesting reading.
Alternatively you could ask them whether they consider this affects your right to a family life under Human Rights Legislation - if you can't go on holiday together.
I think the Human Rights act is only for public bodies and Motability is actually a charity, but worth asking the question!!!
I'm looking on the Motability website & I can find no reference to the above. I can understand one might have insurance probs with any car using the Boot Jump or even a similar home made setup because you are converting the car into a campervan although if the stuff is removable perhaps you are not? But any insurance co. may view fire damage after using gas cooker inside a car as negligence & refuse to pay out.
Many posts on here about insurance problems could well be the result of the call centre operative you actually speak to failing to understand what you are trying to do.
I would guess it is ok to carry camping gear, tent, cooker etc to a campsite in your Motability car, I'm failing to see how they could object, from what you have been told you would not be able to collect paint & white spirit from B&Q! But I'm guessing even a temporary conversion to a campervan might be a grey area with any insurance co.
I'm sure most drivers using this sort of conversion do not bother to inform their ins.co. I'm guessing it does not even occur to them to do so.
It might not be a Insurance Company issue, but a Lease issue. Motability is the owner of the Vehicle and Leases it out, proving Insurance and Maintenance as part of the Agreement.
As such they are free to set specific conditions, in regards to the usage of the vehicle, whilst it is under a Lease Contract.
When you buy a Vehicle through Motability, you are under a Hire Purchase Contract, which is totally different to a Lease Contract.
Sadly Motability have stopped Hire Purchase Contracts, due to the high number of issues, they have had with them. We recently had this confirmed by them, as we have just made the last payment on a vehicle bought through a Hire Purchase Contract [in fact the 3rd such vehicle]. So we will be holding on to our current vehicle, whilst we look at other finance options.
Part of the reason being, I object to paying to have a Tow Bar installed, then 3 years later, having to pay to have it removed, and any repairs such as a New Bumper installed, which can run to over £1,000. I also prefer to own items, and not pay out on a continual basis, and have to worry about mileage as well [ we were doing on average 22,00 000 miles per annum, so over the upgraded 20,000 mile limit on the Lease contract. And getting charged so much per mile over that. Adds to the bill. That combined amount covers Insurance and Maintenance, and the car is ours at the end of the day ]
As a Private Company, Motability are free to set reasonable conditions, and you'd struggle to argue a ban on Gas Canisters, is against the Disability Discrimination Act, because they could have the same ban, on Company Vehicles used by Staff as well.
Have spoken to Royal Sun Alliance & they have no problems with the Boot Jump; it isn't covered if it gets damaged as they cover the car only, but they don't have any objections to its use.
Spoke to the same Motability employee who now agrees this is a lease issue not insurance as stated yesterday. They seem totally confused about why anyone would want to have cooking or sleeping facilities and as far as I could ascertain there is no clear policy. They have asked for more details so they can make a decision.
I feel strongly that if it is forbidden to carry (let alone use!) sleeping facilities, inflammable liquids or cooking equipment in a Motability vehicle then they need to inform users ASAP as a great many will be technically breaking their lease without realising it.
Personally I think that a great many people with disabilities or poor health would love the chance to have a vehicle where they could lie down for a while, prepare special diets, meet their medical needs in privacy, and so on. Let alone actually enjoy the chance for an outing! However, if they do decide to prohibit certain items or usage, that ban needs to be clearly stated to all who use the scheme.
I'll update when I know more about Motability's policy.
dont take the mobility route accept the money and have your own vehicle . its not difficult to realize thats the way forward .
you could have what ever vehicle you want then if license allows .
(Sadly Motability have stopped Hire Purchase Contracts, due to the high number of issues, they have had with them. We recently had this confirmed by them, as we have just made the last payment on a vehicle bought through a Hire Purchase Contract [in fact the 3rd such vehicle]. So we will be holding on to our current vehicle, whilst we look at other finance options.)
sorry but that is not true
You CAN still have a HP DEAL but they will not advertise it as they want you to have a lease
My spouse talked to Motability just last week, and was advised that they had stopped HP contracts, in all but a few very exceptional cases.
She'd contacted them, as having cleared the current HP contract, she was interested in another car, and wanted to get the ball rolling.
We have had 3 cars through Motability on HP contracts. So were well aware that they did not advertise the facility. And having had the news direct from them just over 7 days ago, I know that the statement was correct, as of that point in time.
I will suggest to my spouse, that she gets back in touch with them via the telephone again, and has the status of HP contracts confirmed.
Yes ring them again because I am a motability salesman and started a HP deal yesterday.
They have taken it away from the dealer to start it off, you have to wait for a advisor to give you a ring within 48hrs of your first contact with motability asking them for HP.
They do advise you of the benefits of contract hire but once you have explained that you understand how HP works they will stat off a application so the garage can finish it off.
Also they will insist that you have seen the intended new car and had a test drive.
Sorry to go off topic here but I need Andy's advice.
Does the Astra Sports Tourer come with electronic handbrake if you order the SE model? The brochure shows it with the electronic handbrake but it is still listed as an option in the price guide booklet. I'm getting conflicting information from Vauxhall and I don't want to order the car and find out that it has the normal handbrake when it is delivered.
Thanks Andy, you've confirmed what I was thinking. Unfortunately some Vauxhall sales staff seem to think the electronic brake is now standard, it is standard on some Zafira Tourer versions and I think they've got confused.
Thanks again for your help, it's a pity I don't live closer so I can put some business your way.
Hi all I'm a newbie and I hope you don't me jumping in. As for getting a disability car, I would never get one from them again. There was a little understanding that I had a new car and at the same time I went on holidays. I came back home and the company commanded I gave the car back as I'd been reported. I knew I'd done nothing wrong. Apparently someone in the street was jealous and had said I can afford a brand new car and go off to visit Elvis Presley's Graceland. The company came straight over and removed my car. So now I had no transport. Then I a couple of weeks late they was all apologetic and wanted to give me another one of my choice. I said no thanks, you wouldn't listen and I struggled, and you won't do this to me again. I went and got myself a bran new one payed monthly for it, but it was mine. I now find I am better of with money than giving it all to them. I can purchase, put petrol in and savings in case anything went wrong. I own my car outright and no one can take that from me. Now I'm selling it and upgraded to a Mazda Bongo. I love it. Try not to go down the root for a motobility, they take all your money. My way I can run the car it's cheaper on car insurance and cheap on petrol and I still have money back which I can go camping on that. I had to suffer from a silly mistake. They won't do that again to me. Good luck on whatever you decide. Julie:)))
------------- I have recently become a widow, and want to get out and travel, but don't want to do it alone. So I'm looking for like minded people to share this with me.
i agree they wouldnt let me have a vehicle suitable to pull my trailer . after all its my money . better to manage with out them . far more money in your pocket . mind you wont get rich on it .ha ha .
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Topic: Motability car & - insurance issues
