(Pert to Part L and P)

I have an original copy of “On the track of unknown animals”. Written by the distinguished Dr Bernard Heuvelmans and classified as non-fiction paranormal. Researching warranty insurance today I was immediately reminded of that title.

This morning I telephoned Corgi Insurance Services and they are clearly nervous. They cannot or will not answer questions. I am insured with them for public liability insurance, I’ve paid my dues, they are my brokers, but they cannot or will not answer my questions. They say they are just brokers and have been told to say nowt, harvest email addresses, then pass them on to Corgi. I told the guy I'd contact them (Corgi) myself but he still tried his utmost, politely, to obtain my email address.

Anyone notice a ‘funny’ odour ?

Like any well advised customer (and don’t forget we are customers), I contacted the insurers’ trade association, The Association of British Insurers (www.abi.org.uk) who claim to represent 400 companies, holding 94% of the market (020 7600 3333); They immediately bounced me to the British Insurance Brokers Association.

The British Insurance Brokers Association (www.biba.org.uk) website includes a relational database search facility which combines geographical areas with types of insurance. Having checked on the telephone (0870 950 1790) that I was using the correct type of insurance search, only one name is listed in the UK.

That company, Cotters Insurance Services Ltd (www.cotters.co.uk), told me they don’t specialise in the warranty insurance requested and promised to telephone back with information. I telephoned them later (01604 777123) and they promised to email the following day. To whet their appetite I’ve also asked them for public liability insurance information as I am migrating, whatever it costs; Hit them where it hurts, in the pocket.

I telephoned BIBA again and was advised to contact APL Protection (www.aplprotect.com) where I spoke with Pat O’Hagan (01753 620756). They are big on construction insurance but definitely do not touch warranty insurance. APL suggested AON.

A web search eventually delivered an AON page referring to warranty insurance. I told them what I wanted. At least I started to. As soon as I mentioned plumbing, heating and gas I was abruptly routed elsewhere. An automated service told me I was en-route to Hepworth Heating. I hung up gently as recommended by BT.

Back to BIBA and asked if they had a contact number for AON. I was given 02380 607500 and they lobbed me into the new business section. Warranty Insurance strictly a no, no. Can’t win them all. Actually we do not seem to be able to win any at the moment.

Back to good old BIBA and they suggested the Insurance Ombudsman. Why I don’t know but what the hell, nothing to lose ? Except the Insurance Ombudsman (www.theiob.org.uk) no longer exists, apart from archive1 purposes. Mythical as my sea serpents. BIBA should have known that.

A link from the IOB sends one to the new all embracing Financial Ombudsman (www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk) on 0845 080 1800. A quick call there confirmed what I had already guessed, that it has nothing to do with them. I had to be seen to check as advised.

Round and round the garden, like a teddy bear. One step, two step, no warranty insurance there.

We can all guess what is going on.

Anyone got an email address for Dr Bernard Heuvelmans ?

This Feature will no doubt be updated soon.

Addendum 31.05.2005

The following text appears on the Corgi Extranet:

Quote:

Warranty Cover - the Situation to Date

To help with the introduction of Part P of Building Regulations, The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has allowed a transition period, whereby installers can sign up to the CORGI Part P scheme without having to hold a consumer insurance backed warranty.

The ODPM acknowledge that currently there is a lack of suitable warranties available to installers, to enable them to offer this service to customers.

It remains a requirement for installers to offer a warranty as part of their registration to a Part P competent persons scheme. Installers must be able to offer this warranty to consumers as soon as the insurance policies become available.

End of quote

Addendum 16.09.2005

Note 1. The Financial Ombudsman has contacted Gas-News to say that the archive no longer exists.