Shannon's Insurance - not happy!

Joe Garra · March 27, 2012, 11:53:54 AM

I was really happy with Shannon's until today. They say itr is repairer of choice. I went up a driveway with my 164Q and have damaged the front bumper. I had it towed to my local repairer who has always been good. Shannon's are now telling me they have to tow it to their assessment centre in Airport West to have it assessed. They said it is their new rule which they didn't have to inform their customers about. I'm telling them they cannot touch my car. Will update.

John Hanslow · March 27, 2012, 12:55:17 PM

That's why I swithched from another well known brand to Lumleys (LSV).

Half the price with limited use and amongst other things, choice of repairer.

Good luck Joe.

alfagtv58 · March 27, 2012, 01:13:07 PM

No good Joe.

But to play the devils advocate. Are they sending it somewhere just to be assessed, not repaired? Is it perhaps just to keep your choice of repairer honest? As long as the towing costs etc are borne by Shannons it should not make a huge difference to the outcome.......I dont see why they couldn't send an assessor out to your repairer though.

Good luck Joe, keep us updated as a good percentage of us shell out cash to the same provider!

Neil Choi · March 27, 2012, 01:15:17 PM

I am certain I saw the Shannon's ad on Sunday night during the F1 with the bloke with his conformadore monaro sprouting how Shannon's is wonderful with choice of repairer. False advertising if that is the case. Good luck Joe.

Neil

Joe Garra · March 27, 2012, 01:20:47 PM

I totally agree they shouldn't just approve claims without checking. I told them them if they touched my car it was theft. And if he didn't want to put me onto his boss I would just fix the car myself and cancel the insurance on my cars. After a few minutes on hold whilst he spoke to the "specialist divsion", I was informed that they would assess the car where it is now. I will pursue the issue more once the car is fixed. I cannot see how it is economical for them to tow cars away and then back to the panel shop rather than send an assessor around. The panel shop told me Shannons have become more difficult the last year or so since they were taken over. They also had a customer whose car has been at the assessment centre for four days. Shannon's claim it is only there for half a day. I said to the poor fellow on the phone that we all ow what they claim and what really happens can be vastly different. I was amazed this major change in policy was not passed onto the customer at the time of renewal.

ItalCarGuy · March 27, 2012, 01:23:48 PM

On the subject of Lumley's, is that a stretch GTV on their front page for classic car insurance?!

http://www.lsvinsurance.com.au/

Davidm1600 · March 27, 2012, 04:14:05 PM

Doesn't sound right from my experience with relatively recent experience with Shannons, but perhaps they operate a little differently depending on where you are. I damaged my 156 and needed help to make it pretty again. I took the car to their office, and spoke with the local rep. He was perfectly happy with who ever I chose to repair it.

We discussed possible/best panel places, I took it to the one I wanted, given their reputation, and thereafter passed the quote through Shannons. No dramas from Shannons afterwards in meeting the costs. I paid the small excess, the repairs were perfect as I wanted. All good. I am happy to stay with them.

Joe Garra · March 27, 2012, 05:55:06 PM

The panel shop said it's only been the last few months. The fellow on the phone said it was their current standard procedure. I was "relatively" calm until he said they were under no obligation to inform customers of the change. I consider towing your car to their assessment centre a fairly major change.

Steve S · March 28, 2012, 10:06:53 AM

Quote from: Derek Entesano on March 27, 2012, 01:23:48 PM
On the subject of Lumley's, is that a stretch GTV on their front page for classic car insurance?!

http://www.lsvinsurance.com.au/

They looked good so I gave them a call. However they won't insure a car if it is not garaged.

Davidm1600 · March 28, 2012, 10:48:40 AM

Well then that could be a bit of a problem for some. I don't have a garage at home, but do have off street parking. No dramas from Shannons in that respect. Lumleys also don't operate in Tas, so no use to me.

aggie57 · March 28, 2012, 12:37:31 PM

We have a policy with Lumleys and one with Shannons. Had dealings with both and no issues either way. Just passing on the experiences......

Joe Garra · March 28, 2012, 12:39:59 PM

I'm only upset because of their very recent changes, I had been a very happy Shannon's customer for close to 20 years and had always recommended them to others.

aggie57 · March 28, 2012, 04:00:30 PM

Fair point Joe - I just read your original post again. That sucks.

Joe Garra · March 29, 2012, 11:45:15 AM

Update - got a very apologetic phone call from Shannon's saying I was inititally given the wrong information. They don't tow Shannon's customers' cars away. Feeling better now - my rant (which is unusual for me) must have stirred things up

Rigi · March 30, 2012, 08:05:37 AM

Fortunately have not had a need to lodge a claim however I swapped my insurance across to Lumley for one simple reason .. Shannons stopped supporting AROCA NSW Web/Magazine/Newsletter and Concorso advertising .... apparently because of a 'lack of funds'.

The club ended up writing off more than 2 years of outstanding debt.

Lumleys have more than filled the financial void for the Club and were more than competitive on premium

Of course Lumley's, being part of the Wesfarmers group, will be expected to produce the results otherwise .....

Seems like the Shannons decision was very much State based as I noticed that AROCA Vic have maintained the Shannons advertising support .. alongside Lumley ... an even better result guys