As I said, it's a generic bland 'Complaints' reply....
Let's see where it takes us....
Let's see where it takes us....
BMW Insurance Cover Abroad For My GSA?
- Thread starter Dainese Brave
- Start date
I have just spoken to NIG's Simon Mills.
A nice enough cove, he tells me that NIG are taking the complaint seriously. Which is good.
Simon had my letter in front of him but asked that I explain in a bit more detail exactly what the problem is. This I did, emphasising that it reflected badly on NIG / BuMW and lost them business. I promised to follow it up with a letter, which I will do.
Nothing much will happen now for perhaps a couple of weeks whilst it rattles around NIG towers, which is fine.
A nice enough cove, he tells me that NIG are taking the complaint seriously. Which is good.
Simon had my letter in front of him but asked that I explain in a bit more detail exactly what the problem is. This I did, emphasising that it reflected badly on NIG / BuMW and lost them business. I promised to follow it up with a letter, which I will do.
Nothing much will happen now for perhaps a couple of weeks whilst it rattles around NIG towers, which is fine.
London E1
13th May 2010
Simon Mills Esq
Technical Liaison Assistant Underwriter
3rd Floor NIG
Worldwide House
Thorpe Wood
Peterborough PE3 6SB
Dear Simon,
RE: BMW Motorrad Insurance – NIG - Devitt
Thank you for your letter 11th May and for taking the trouble to call me back.
Thank you also for explaining that my letter 6th May is being taken seriously. I promised to confirm the key points of our telephone call, not least to help others in NIG / BMW to understand the problems and the very bad reaction it creates.
In essence my letter said it all: BMW are selling 'adventure' motorcycles, enjoyed by a broad, loyal and growing customer base. Many avail themselves of the good terms and service provided by NIG under the BMW Motorrad insurance policy. This is good as it establishes a link between the two products, often at the point of sale and reflects well on BMW’s advertising of a reliable, goes anywhere motorcycle, backed by an equally reliable insurer.
Having bought their motorcycle, many customers want to go 'adventuring'. Of course I accept that some will not go too far beyond our shores; that is true of many road based holiday makers I guess? But without a doubt there is a significant part of the customer base that does and will. The other certainty is that they will all need insurance for the time that they are away, not least to satisfy local laws just as a visitor to the UK would need at least RTA cover. NIG used to be reasonably flexible granting this. I know this as I insured myself for Morocco twice and Turkey once. It was reasonably painless; twice I think there was a small additional premium and once for free. In short, excellent service. Then it all stopped, dead.
At the time I wrote and spoke to Devitt who were not particularly helpful, explaining that it was simply NIG's decision to grant additional cover only if the policy holder was on a BMW organised event (ie. backing the brand and their ultimate customer, BMW). Devitt then went on to tell me that this was necessary as NIG would rely on BMW should the bike be in an accident. Quite how BMW were meant to assist with settling third party liability claims was, of course, a mystery. Either way, the answer was that they, Devitt, had been doing us all a favour and that it had now stopped. But, the demand for owners to take their 'adventure' motorcycle overseas had not stopped. Indeed it has grown significantly if BMW's excellent sales graph is anything to go by.
Inevitably, 'adventurous' customers are now faced with two choices:
(1) Buy insurance at the border. Time consuming and littered with confusion.
(2) Find alternative UK based insurers willing to exploit the significant gap in NIG's armour. For example, Groupama, Aviva, RSA, Axa (and their associated brokers) all prove flexible and competitive enough. So a sale to NIG is lost and BMW's customer is left with a bad feeling towards the manufacturer and the insurer.
I bought cover from Groupama for exactly that reason. Not because I particularly wanted to but because I had to. I have lots of real live examples, some as fresh as last week, where other BMW / NIG customers have done the same thing. It is not good for NIG and it is not good for BMW.
I do not think that any reasonable policy holder will object to paying a modest additional premium to extend their policy. Nor do I think that many will mind too much if it is simply limited to Third Party, providing it meets the minimum local standards and if it is explained to them at the point of sale. Similarly, most reasonable customers will fully understand that NIG cannot cover the whole world at a stroke.
The key point to get across to your colleagues is that your day-to-day competitors (and their brokers) are managing to grant cover in most of the 'exotics' listed on the back of a standard 'green card' form, without too much drama. NIG not doing so is losing you sales and reflecting badly on BMW. The real killer would be if you could launch a true '3-in-1' policy: Motor, Breakdown / recovery and Travel / Personal Accident all in one jacket. You can maybe see how the RAC are starting to come close, with their 'menu' breakdown cover married to worldwide travel products. People would buy it, for sure. Why? Because they buy the policies separately anyway. It is time for NIG - a major player in the UK motorcycle market and a key partner to BMW - to address the issue properly.
I look forward to hearing from.
Yours sincerely,
Wapping of Wapping
cc Tim Abott BMW (UK)
PS I note that you work out of Worldwide House.... That should prompt NIG in the right direction.
13th May 2010
Simon Mills Esq
Technical Liaison Assistant Underwriter
3rd Floor NIG
Worldwide House
Thorpe Wood
Peterborough PE3 6SB
Dear Simon,
RE: BMW Motorrad Insurance – NIG - Devitt
Thank you for your letter 11th May and for taking the trouble to call me back.
Thank you also for explaining that my letter 6th May is being taken seriously. I promised to confirm the key points of our telephone call, not least to help others in NIG / BMW to understand the problems and the very bad reaction it creates.
In essence my letter said it all: BMW are selling 'adventure' motorcycles, enjoyed by a broad, loyal and growing customer base. Many avail themselves of the good terms and service provided by NIG under the BMW Motorrad insurance policy. This is good as it establishes a link between the two products, often at the point of sale and reflects well on BMW’s advertising of a reliable, goes anywhere motorcycle, backed by an equally reliable insurer.
Having bought their motorcycle, many customers want to go 'adventuring'. Of course I accept that some will not go too far beyond our shores; that is true of many road based holiday makers I guess? But without a doubt there is a significant part of the customer base that does and will. The other certainty is that they will all need insurance for the time that they are away, not least to satisfy local laws just as a visitor to the UK would need at least RTA cover. NIG used to be reasonably flexible granting this. I know this as I insured myself for Morocco twice and Turkey once. It was reasonably painless; twice I think there was a small additional premium and once for free. In short, excellent service. Then it all stopped, dead.
At the time I wrote and spoke to Devitt who were not particularly helpful, explaining that it was simply NIG's decision to grant additional cover only if the policy holder was on a BMW organised event (ie. backing the brand and their ultimate customer, BMW). Devitt then went on to tell me that this was necessary as NIG would rely on BMW should the bike be in an accident. Quite how BMW were meant to assist with settling third party liability claims was, of course, a mystery. Either way, the answer was that they, Devitt, had been doing us all a favour and that it had now stopped. But, the demand for owners to take their 'adventure' motorcycle overseas had not stopped. Indeed it has grown significantly if BMW's excellent sales graph is anything to go by.
Inevitably, 'adventurous' customers are now faced with two choices:
(1) Buy insurance at the border. Time consuming and littered with confusion.
(2) Find alternative UK based insurers willing to exploit the significant gap in NIG's armour. For example, Groupama, Aviva, RSA, Axa (and their associated brokers) all prove flexible and competitive enough. So a sale to NIG is lost and BMW's customer is left with a bad feeling towards the manufacturer and the insurer.
I bought cover from Groupama for exactly that reason. Not because I particularly wanted to but because I had to. I have lots of real live examples, some as fresh as last week, where other BMW / NIG customers have done the same thing. It is not good for NIG and it is not good for BMW.
I do not think that any reasonable policy holder will object to paying a modest additional premium to extend their policy. Nor do I think that many will mind too much if it is simply limited to Third Party, providing it meets the minimum local standards and if it is explained to them at the point of sale. Similarly, most reasonable customers will fully understand that NIG cannot cover the whole world at a stroke.
The key point to get across to your colleagues is that your day-to-day competitors (and their brokers) are managing to grant cover in most of the 'exotics' listed on the back of a standard 'green card' form, without too much drama. NIG not doing so is losing you sales and reflecting badly on BMW. The real killer would be if you could launch a true '3-in-1' policy: Motor, Breakdown / recovery and Travel / Personal Accident all in one jacket. You can maybe see how the RAC are starting to come close, with their 'menu' breakdown cover married to worldwide travel products. People would buy it, for sure. Why? Because they buy the policies separately anyway. It is time for NIG - a major player in the UK motorcycle market and a key partner to BMW - to address the issue properly.
I look forward to hearing from.
Yours sincerely,
Wapping of Wapping
cc Tim Abott BMW (UK)
PS I note that you work out of Worldwide House.... That should prompt NIG in the right direction.
Couldn't agree with the sentiments more. 
Let's hope that they listen and things change in the , not too distant, future.
Also think the 3 in 1 policy is a really good idea, and would be a great incentive to do business with BMW/Devitt.
Well done Wapping.
Let's hope that they listen and things change in the , not too distant, future.
Also think the 3 in 1 policy is a really good idea, and would be a great incentive to do business with BMW/Devitt.
Well done Wapping.
Andrei Ukrainian
Registered user
Hi,
No mate, I don’t work for the Ukrainian Tourist Board, I doubt they would want me to.
Avoid the queue at the border and pass them all, don’t stop for and listen to the guys which promise a quicker pass.
My wife tells me that the state insurance is necessary. Sorry I can’t be clearer but they change laws here more than I change socks!
If it’s on your route and you need some spares or tired stop at, Autohaus Muller Leipzig GmbH, Schongaurerstrabe 29-31,04238 Leipzig, there is an excellent hotel Ramada within walking distance. Don’t even think about BMW in Kiev, they will tell you it’s a 3 week wait for whatever you need.
Enjoy your trip!
No mate, I don’t work for the Ukrainian Tourist Board, I doubt they would want me to.
Avoid the queue at the border and pass them all, don’t stop for and listen to the guys which promise a quicker pass.
My wife tells me that the state insurance is necessary. Sorry I can’t be clearer but they change laws here more than I change socks!
If it’s on your route and you need some spares or tired stop at, Autohaus Muller Leipzig GmbH, Schongaurerstrabe 29-31,04238 Leipzig, there is an excellent hotel Ramada within walking distance. Don’t even think about BMW in Kiev, they will tell you it’s a 3 week wait for whatever you need.
Enjoy your trip!
Reply from BuMW (UK)
Doesn't say anything of any consequence...
Doesn't say anything of any consequence...
Kev B
Registered user
BMW insurance still will not cover Morocco ! had a long conversation today with them but it is a no go as far as NIG is concerned 
All the hard work and letters Richard ( Wapping ) has put in seems to have fallen on deaf ears
All the hard work and letters Richard ( Wapping ) has put in seems to have fallen on deaf ears
Kev B
Registered user
BMW INSURANCE/DEVITT
I also wrote to Tim Abott At BMW and received exactly the same reply as you did Richard, word for word.
Anyway 3 days later I received a phone call from a Alex Irvine of Devitt who I must say could not have been more helpful. He explained at length that they had received many complaints with reference to BMW owners in the BMW insurance scheme wanting to travel outside Europe.He went on to explain that they were in the the process of addressing the problem but an immediate fix for me would be to change insurance companies.
He ended up getting me cover from Groupama(fully comp same cover as BMW)
and coverage for Morocco for £200.I was paying £167 with the BMW scheme. Happy days!
Contrary to my previous post your letters did not fall on deaf ears Richard.
So BMW/NIG have lost another customer. Devitt have not though because of the very helpful Alex Irvine.
If I am to believe what I was told it would seem the BMW scheme could be in for a bit of a 'shake up' his words not mine.
Richard I am sure your letters from someone who understands the insurance industry better than most went a long way to bringing it to the relevant people's attention and improving the situation.
I also wrote to Tim Abott At BMW and received exactly the same reply as you did Richard, word for word.
Anyway 3 days later I received a phone call from a Alex Irvine of Devitt who I must say could not have been more helpful. He explained at length that they had received many complaints with reference to BMW owners in the BMW insurance scheme wanting to travel outside Europe.He went on to explain that they were in the the process of addressing the problem but an immediate fix for me would be to change insurance companies.
He ended up getting me cover from Groupama(fully comp same cover as BMW)
and coverage for Morocco for £200.I was paying £167 with the BMW scheme. Happy days!
Contrary to my previous post your letters did not fall on deaf ears Richard.
So BMW/NIG have lost another customer. Devitt have not though because of the very helpful Alex Irvine.
If I am to believe what I was told it would seem the BMW scheme could be in for a bit of a 'shake up' his words not mine.
Richard I am sure your letters from someone who understands the insurance industry better than most went a long way to bringing it to the relevant people's attention and improving the situation.
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