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| Merlin Member Since: 30 Oct 2010 Location: Newmarket Posts: 981  
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I guess I'm going to be the 94th person to say that driving a green road is covered by normal insurance as you are driving on a public road. It isn't a motor sport event. This is the old chestnut of confusing off-road driving and using a green road, or greenlane as it used to be called. Can't see that paying to drive on a public road is any different than paying to use a toll road, like the Dartford crossing.
Merlin |
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19th Apr 2016 10:33am |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7907 
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You make a very good point Merlin. I've just moved away from Nationwide (LV) Insurance as they would insure my mods (for not much extra) but would NOT insure me for green laning.
I've moved to A-Plan as they will cover all the mods and will cover green laning at no extra cost. I suspect they view green laning as you describe a 'public road'. I am however more comfortable notifying them of green lane use than just assuming it covered as a public road. See you on the 14th!  |
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19th Apr 2016 11:20am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17450 
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There is of course no reason why an insurance company cannot put any restrictions that they may wish on an insurance policiy, as long as they make you aware of them. Most policies have age restrictions, learner restrictions, acts-of-God restrictions, and so on. There is nothing in principle which would prevent an insurance company putting a restriction on driving on unsurfaced roads into a policy, but it would have to be stated in the terms and conditions.
I find it hard to understand why they would, since I cannot imagine that green lane/unsurfaced road claims amount to much in the overall scheme of things. Insurance companies do seem to be something of a law untio themselves, though. Unless specifically asked, I wouldn't even tell and insurance company that I drive on green lanes any more than I would thell them that I drive on "A" Roads. I would however check the small print for exclusions. Driving an unsurfaced road does not constitute "off-roading", you are on a road. |
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19th Apr 2016 12:46pm |
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| davew Member Since: 02 Jan 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 888  
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I think the confusion comes from two different areas...
1) Some insurance brokers decided they could use a FUD tactic to get more customers. The implication being that if they state that green laning is specifically included that must mean all the other companies don't cover it... which is, of course,  . It's like the classic Microsoft announcement "our competitors are so far behind, they don't even have a blue screen of death !"
2) Some people seem to think that pay and play or other forms of driving on private land is "green laning" which it clearly isn't. Insurance companies have also fallen into this misconception and in some cases, when they are talking about "green laning" they actually mean off road driving on private land. Sometimes insurance brokers make stupid decisions based on a lack of information or a misunderstanding of the situation. I've been told by brokers in the past that a vehicle that takes part in an off road competition 1 day per year is excluded from cover when it's on the road the other 364 days of the year because that one day a year makes it a "competition vehicle". Strangely when I asked for that in writing so I could let people know they suddenly backed down from that position... If a broker or insurance company tell you that some activity is not covered under their policy, ask them to point it out to you in the policy documents/schedule. One thing that has changed in recent years is insurance for "events" on the road. This has effected navigational scatters and treasure hunts etc... as they are now deemed to be motor sport events. Previously your insurance policy would cover you but nowadays you need to take out specific cover. This was after a number of serious incidents involving vehicles on Navigational Scatters. http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/ |
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19th Apr 2016 1:17pm |
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| StephenO Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Glasgow Posts: 246 
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Below is what I'm covered for as well as the norm. Dave posted above after a conversation we had and comparing our policies. I'm currently with Lancaster underwritten by KGM. Policy is only a couple of months old and im possibly thinking of a change. I've asked the question on green laning via email & phone call but no ones got back to me after nearly a week 😡
It would be interesting if we could get A Plan's slant on this. I would've expected to be covered on green lanes as its classed as a by-way but not sure now. I do get the feeling as mentioned that insurance companies are offering cover and not understanding people's needs. In an ideal world I'd like to be covered for self organised green lanes (if required and not covered by normal road driving). I'd also like to be covered for an event we do annually (2 days) and called Mudmaster. This includes on road navigation between approx. 12 areas that include timed trials, orienteering & RTV sections etc. We do currently take additional insurance for this but obviously at a fee. I can understand pay & play sites where people can take there vehicles to the limits not being covered but I suppose that's the individuals choice of how hard they push their vehicle. If A Plan could shed some light on what they can offer, if it differs from above that would be good. Cheers
Rallies, Shows and Events Participation in rallies shows and events is included under this insurance provided there is no involvement in racing, pace making, speed testing or time trials nor the vehicle is used for hire or reward. 4x4 Off-Road It is agreed that cover is operative under the policy whilst the insured vehicle is used for club arranged off-road open days or club arranged green lane events. 2007 Defender Puma Tonga Green 2015 Range Rover Sport Autobiography Corrie Grey 1968 Series 2a Bronze Green 1995 Defender 90 Coniston Green 2005 Discovery 3 Zambezi Silver |
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19th Apr 2016 8:54pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7907
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I tried Lancaster, but because we drive 12,000 miles a year on the road, they wouldn't cover us for green laning?!?!
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19th Apr 2016 9:27pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2656
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The Road Traffic Act applies to green lanes, as well as places like open car parks and other areas to which the public reasonably have access. Hence your insurance will cover you.
For the same reason it is also against the law to use a mobile phone while driving on a green lane, or in Tescos car park. Or speed for example. |
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19th Apr 2016 9:41pm |
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| A-Plan Insurance Site Sponsor Member Since: 30 Oct 2013 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 344
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We have over 40 different insurers on our panel, each offering different things.
We can offer cover for green laning, club organised events and other off road events. Each policy is tailored to the individuals needs. If you are looking for off road cover please give us a call on 01635 874646 and we can try and organise a policy that suits what you are looking for 
Thanks Clare Howden Insurance - Specialist Vehicle Call us on 01635 874646 for a quotation |
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21st Apr 2016 8:25am |
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| StephenO Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Glasgow Posts: 246
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Thanks Clare
May be in touch soon 2007 Defender Puma Tonga Green
2015 Range Rover Sport Autobiography Corrie Grey 1968 Series 2a Bronze Green 1995 Defender 90 Coniston Green 2005 Discovery 3 Zambezi Silver |
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21st Apr 2016 7:43pm |
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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 
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Have a read about the Vnuk case, but basically soon it's extremely likely that any use for a vehicle that you could reasonably expect it to be doing would be illegal for compulsary insurance not to cover. Currently if they refused to pay out under UK law you'd have to take the UK Government to court for failing to pay attention to EU law (I still don't understand why we have to duplicate stuff).
It's interesting to note that our government (this started in 2007) argued in favour of the insurance companies that if you drove a tractor in to a farm yard and had an accident the compulsory road insurance shouldn't cover it. Personally, I'm quite glad that the European courts found the other way, and say that seeing as it's entirely reasonable to expect a tractor to tow a trailer in to a farm yard, that should be covered by its insurance too. www.blmlaw.com/publications/20516/pdf/Vnuk%20briefing%20note.pdf http://insurance.dwf.law/news-updates/2014...-coverage/ As for greenlanes, as I understand it because the law says you have to be insured on a public road and your insurance company is providing you with insurance to go on a public road it would then be illegal for the insurance company to restrict that. Amusingly, I've found that you can get an insurance policy for a mobility scooter that includes breakdown cover. |
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20th May 2016 9:08am |
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