How to turn a Coupe into a Spyder?

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richardc

New Member
Messages
5
Hi folks, season's greetings to all. A cautionary tale for 4200 Coupe owners - watch out for your insurer stealing your tin roof.

Direct Line have "upgraded" their computer system & I noticed on the paperwork which arrived just before the auto-renewal that they'd changed the description of my '05 Coupe to Maserati Spyder. I called them to query and it seems that their new software doesn't have the ability to enter or pick Maserati Coupe any more... The pick-list included the likes of Spyder, Gransport, Mexico & Grancabrio but they couldn't pick & hence were conflicted as to whether they could insure a Coupe Cambiocorsa any more. My lack of confidence that they would pay a claim if they mis-described my vehicle wasn't addressed by the mixed messages their beleaguered customer service folks relayed so after years of claim-free Maserati smileage with them, I'm now insured elsewhere. I hope they follow up on my recommendation that they fix this for others but if you're with them, best have your own plan B in the run up to a renewal in case your car falls off the list. I don't believe it's a underwriting decision, seems like PEBCAK :rolleyes:
 
DaveT

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,831
Its also been a DVLA problem for a long time.

One of my Gransports 7 or 8 years ago was classed as a Spyder when it definitely had a roof!
 
giorgio01

giorgio01

Member
Messages
225
I've had the same problem when insuring my Coupe GT. After entering the reg. nr. it came up as Spyder even after phone call they've confirmed it's a spider. When they've tried to put it manually as Coupe it turned out no Coupe on their database. As tempting as it was to insure the car for over £100 less than the next cheapest quote I didn't go for it for obvious reasons.
 
oldwaterman

oldwaterman

New Member
Messages
27
Same here. I had my renewal in last month from CKI brokers, an astonishing £1600. J Macinroe moment:eek:. I got the 4200CC 10 months ago and I paid a bit more when I changed the insured car from an Alfa GTV Cup, the uplift was more than I hoped but not seriously bad so just stayed where I was at the time. Went on to Gocompare which is what I usually use for this kind of thing and got their best quotes in realistic range £350-£500 or so, that's more like it. But when I clicked through to the first insurers' web site the car reg came up as Spyder and in the drop down menu had no 4200 coupe, despite listing exotica like Khamsin. Phoned them up and their rep apologised could only say that if it wasn't on their menu then they couldn't insure it. What's the point of having human beings at the end of the phone if they can't exercise judgement or initiative? Went to the next lowest quote and the same short list of Maseratis, obviously using the same database. Next step was to go to Moneysavingexpert where I learned that they have a mini league table of comparison sites and likelihood of getting the best quote. Gocompare was only 3rd or 4th so I then tried Comparethemarket. Lo and behold if came up with the best quote and the insurer that I went to used a different database, my car came up on their system as the correct vehicle. Ended up paying £325. Happy bunny :D.
 
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DavidL

Member
Messages
214
Most amusing DVLA balls up I came across was a friend's Caterham that had Caterpillar on the V5. Only explanation we could come up with was that it may well have been the next entry on the drop down menu for manufacturers.
However the glaring error was not straightforward to fix, once on they wanted it to stay. It was fixed but not without further, undue, aggravation.
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
15,006
Stop whining. You tin top owners should be honoured to have your Granny-Wagons described as a Spyder. A Spyder is for young, vibrant, virile enthusiasts whereas a hard top Maserati is like a mobility scooter for fuckwits with illusions of Grandeur. No offence to those on here with a hard top, but if you've got a hard top Maserati and an SUV you have no excuses left. Fyi, I have neither. :D
 
oldwaterman

oldwaterman

New Member
Messages
27
Well I suppose if one's youth and virility are of an imaginary or aspirational nature then a Spyder might be quite therapeutic. Is a Spyder not an SUV anyway? Sporting? I guess so. Utility? Well it takes two people and a bit of luggage, so ticks that box. Vehicle? Ditto. I've just twigged it. It must provide the vibration.
 
Swedish Paul

Swedish Paul

Member
Messages
1,811
BennyD said:
Stop whining. You tin top owners should be honoured to have your Granny-Wagons described as a Spyder. A Spyder is for young, vibrant, virile enthusiasts whereas a hard top Maserati is like a mobility scooter for fuckwits with illusions of Grandeur. No offence to those on here with a hard top, but if you've got a hard top Maserati and an SUV you have no excuses left. Fyi, I have neither. :D
Click to expand...
Are you talking about balls or Maserati?
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
15,006
Tbh, I thought putting 3200 lights on would be risk free. Little did I know that Pandoras box now resides in fcking Boomerang lights. Sure they look good but, fck me, I've paid the price for mere aesthetics. It makes me question the rationale about replacing the Honda Accord lights I had. It looks like I've got the worst of both worlds, not the best I was aiming for.
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,199
BennyD said:
Tbh, I thought putting 3200 lights on would be risk free. Little did I know that Pandoras box now resides in fcking Boomerang lights. Sure they look good but, fck me, I've paid the price for mere aesthetics. It makes me question the rationale about replacing the Honda Accord lights I had. It looks like I've got the worst of both worlds, not the best I was aiming for.
Click to expand...
Well, it looks best. Bollox to reliability.
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
15,006
You only think that because you have an Aston. I only respond to rational thought, so you can fck off. Anyhoo, how's you mate? Obviously still a cnt but, there again, you always were.
 
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