GMB

Does Malc know he does "spoons"? I have a prediction for you, my crystal balls tell me: ( In my best Gypsy Romanian twang ) -- One day soon ( a relative term BTW ) your cars will rot to bits, maybe not this year but beware! I can guarantee that this will happen but can't give an accurate date. Depends how much salt they put down this winter.

Quite possibly, but as opposed to 2008 where there was room in the economy for correction and propping up with funds, this time there is none. This is a longer term correction even a collapse and rebuild possibly. I recently had a weird encounter and a serious warning from a Greek taxi driver who was absolutely convinced that we were living in the "end of times". He may be right but they have said that before😵‍💫. I had an even weirder conversation with some French Jehovah's witnesses who told me that Armageddon was just around the corner. They got told " What again!. When I explained that I have actually been to Armageddon ( now known as Megido, in Israel ) and it has already been destroyed, at least 3 times, they went away with a shrug. Probably thinking " zeese Stupide eeenglish peegs".

Because they do not like paying out. Yes, there is no excuse but there is a reason. The claims I am talking about relate to about £3 million pounds for loss of a lifetime's earnings and care for someone who was in very good health and had a good job in their early 20's. All now gone and needs full time care. Every week they delay saves them a fortune.

My Lexus is Mesa red and looks lovely and sparkly in the sunshine too. But in our miserable climate it just looks MAROON. The Missus thinks it is pink, calls it the pink car. But then again she also thinks blue is green.

Yes, I had the same issue. Mine dropped off last year ( The heat shield I mean! ) A big washer fixed it ( No I don't mean the wife ). It's called Galvanic corrosion. You'd think they would have thought of that and used rubber isolating washers wouldn't you.😲

Very true. Unfortunately, as Linas implies, the honest people suffer from the faults of the dishonest. In short, a relative of ours is currently in his 5th year waiting for a large payout (he was brain damaged from a head injury) when a drugged driver who was prosecuted by the police T-boned his car at a junction. The insurance companies are saying that the accident was 30% his fault and playing a waiting game hoping that he will snuff it no doubt. Why are they not paying out for something so obvious? Because the airbags did not go off. The car is still at the police inspection unit because the car manufacturer refuses to inspect it and answer why they did not go off. The car was bought second hand from a franchised dealer with a warranty. I must admit that he has had some interim payments because his solicitors fought very hard to justify it. Believe it or not 20 years ago a family member had the same 5 yr plus wait for a settlement when he was severely injured. The Salvation army and relatives looked after him until the money came in. You simply would not believe it! Dealing with unpleasant people when you claim on insurance.

Just to clarify the point. Yes nowadays I would not even chip a car or bike due to the modern complexity of the system and risk of upsetting the cars operation, what with all the error codes etc. This incident was in 1985 when I was not a rational thinking person In those days Insurance companies did not seem to be as fussy about modifications, or if they were it was not as obvious It makes no sense for an insurance assessor to go inside the computer box to look for changes in the case of a simple accident unrelated to speed. The superchip is not immediately obvious, it is inside the computer casing in this case - an integrated circuit replacing the bosch IC, not an extra box with markings on it. The point of my post: Finally, I believe it is the insurance companies attitude in trying to evade responsibility by finding any excuse not to pay. Look at personal injuries claims where they take 5 years+ trying to find any excuse not to pay the full liability. My point is about insurance companies weaseling and wriggling out of their responsibilities that give me no confidence in them.

The bosch OEM system packed in and a replacement was £800. The superchip ( £200 ) fixed the problem and made the car quicker, run better and more economical. The insurance company just saw the "go faster element". It had nothing to do with running over an obstruction on the motorway at 65 mph along with about 5 other damaged cars. They let us off anyway when I pleaded absolute ignorance about it and blamed the car electrics specialist company who repaired the computer fault.😚

They took our car to bits until they found a superchip that had no relevance to the accident. Don't underestimate what the loss adjusters will do to save a few quid. It's their job.

That's a good logical answer but you forget that the insurance companies just want a reason to shaft you. Logic and reason don't come into it. Your interpretations are irrelevant. It's what they can get away with to cheat you that matters. Remember you are dealing with snakes and vipers not reasonable beings. A friend of mine is still worried waiting for the insurance ombudsman to refute a refusal to pay a medical claim for travel insurance. £40,000 - No we are not paying - you made a mistake about pre-existing conditions.... Like I said The stakes are high.

And they put the price up 50%

Then if they find out they can stuff you and say that you did not declare a modification and we are not paying.

Walker's bitter 1/8. Tetleys mild 1/6 Me, I preferred the Walkers. The only place to get a good old fashioned pint nowadays is Holts or John Willie Lees. I don't know that much about darn Sarf but when I lived there in the late 60's we had Fullers and Youngs and even Courage directors. They are all still going and making a decent pint... Some nice beer from Suffolk too. Adnams?

The problem is that you have the chance that they have the opportunity to stuff you by saying that you put on Bilstein shocks or similar and we are not going to pay out. It's a worry! It's the uncertainty when dealing with the insurance companies. I certainly do not trust any of them. The stakes are very high.

Hypothetical question. Your Lexus needs the worn out shocks and springs replacing for example. Lexus want stupid money to do it. So you go to a suspension specialist and get the best quality replacements that do the job. Sounds Good up to now. Then your insurance want to know if the car has been modified. Is the answer: No, I just replaced the worn out suspension. Or is it Yes, I have bought 3rd party stuff that is not Lexus OEM but it costs less and does the job WTF. In summary: If you replace parts with non OEM is it classed as "modified" and do you have to declare it? Answers on a postcard please.......

All I know is that things are getting dearer. I could buy fish chips and peas for 1/6. That's seven and a half new pence.

Actually, I met some really nice people from Moor Nook and they really did not like living there. Maybe things have improved. I wonder if Stephen ( Baby boomer like me ) is from Moor Nook. he seems to be a nice person.🤨

True.. Let me just say Moor Nook. You know what I mean.😕

At least in Blackburn you will survive growing up. In Bolton it is 50/50 that you survive your youth without getting stabbed. I like North Preston, the people are a lot posher around Fulwood. whereas Bamber Bridge OMG!

The council don't pay us the just steal from us

I like Clitheroe, it's like going even farther back in time!🥸

I like Preston. It's like going back in time looking at all the old people smoking cannabis on the streets. No I am not joking. At least it is better than Bolton. The guy at the toll booth let me in after I slipped him a couple of quid

Much appreciated☺️

I did Manchester to Preston ( not on the motorway ) 21mpg.🙄

Churchill actually made a point of saying that I have not been "refused" insurance so can answer "No" to that question. They, as a company, have declined to offer to renew the insurance based on the underwriter's new criteria. So All's well. They just don't want Lexus cars ( certain models ). They offered to insure my other Lexus for a nice 60% increase. No way José🤠 They even put it in writing in a letter to me so at least they did the honourable thing in that respect.