RH Specialist Car Insurance

[Nick Salmon]

Recently I returned from touring in France, Belgium, and Holland in the MGA. On arrival back at Dover on the ferry, the battery was dead - not clever when you are right at the head of the two queues of vehicles! When finally I got a jump start the engine was running like a pig and eventually the car expired on the bridge out of the port, going up to the A2. I couldn't get going and with darkness falling, cold wind blowing, and rain coming down, I chickened out and called RH for recovery. Their agent was super-helpful and I was picked up within 45 minutes and transported back to Hertfordshire. I was phoned by an RH agent an hour or so after my intial call to check that I had indeed been picked up OK.

I marvel at the value we get from RH and whilst I know there were some issues for the last Eurotour etc, my latest experience was nothing but positive. Well done RH!

[Rick F]

Having gone home "on the back of a lorry" several times in the past few years I can agree whole-heartedly with Nick - nothing but praise for RH (or whatever they now call themselves).

[John Mason]

That is really good to hear as my own insurance is shortly due for renewal . However I am not sure if RH is the company I use. The company has recently been taken over (within the last 2 or 3 Years) and I now understand it is ERS. Is this the same as RH.

John Mason

[Ruairidh Dunford]

ERS (formally RH), provide excellent service in my opinion.

In February my modern car suffered a collapsed bearing in the alternator, whilst in the Highlands, the RAC were not helpful and told me that I would have to drive home as the problem did not fit the criteria for a tow. No garages were able to rectify the fault and I was very nervous about driving as a seized pulley would throw the serpentine belt into the cam. belt.

This car is insured with ERS (with EU Recovery as standard) and I phoned to see if they could help, they could and did, without fuss. The car was brought home and I was able to repair it myself later that week.

This is the first recovery I have asked them for in 25 years, I could not fault the service in any way.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

My sister and brother in law insure their campervan with ERS, under the same policy terms as the Austins.

Two years ago, on a Friday just before catching the ferry home, the clutch cable snapped whilst in France, ERS promptly sent out some local mechanics to fix it but, being RHD, parts were not available nearby. I located a spare cable and my father drove it to the Travelodge in Portsmouth. My brother in law rented a car, drove to Cherbourg and took the ferry as a foot passenger. He spent the night at the travelodge, collected the cable from reception, and caught a ferry back very early the following morning; returning in the hire car to the campsite where the two local mechanics fitted the cable.

All expenses, except the hire car fuel and the cost of the cable, were returned to them after providing receipts to ERS on their return. It went very smoothly indeed.

I bought my brother in law a spare clutch cable for Christmas that year!

[Ruairidh Dunford]

I have been sent clarification about the RH/ERS/Hiscox name:

"The RH Specialist motor insurance business was founded in 1977, and is now owned by Hiscox. ERS has been responsible for the delivery of the RH Specialist service since 1991. ERS provides the full underwriting, policy administration, claims, call and complaints handling service for RH clients on behalf of Hiscox. "

[John Mason]

Thank you Ruairidh for your research and conformation about ERS/RH/Hiscoxs. I can use my seven knowing I have good breakdown/ recovery insurance.

John Mason.

[Ray White]

My experience of HR is, shall we say, interesting. I have both my Swallow and my 1926 Dodge Brothers tourer insured with them. I made a claim following a relatively small accident with the Dodge. (I reversed into a concrete pillar and bent the rear wing!). To my surprise HR could not name a single body shop equipped to carry out a traditional panel beating exercise on a coach built body.! They told me I would have to find a suitable repairer myself.

In the end I was entirely satisfied with the work carried out to a very high standard by I Wilkinson & son of Derby. The cost was an eye watering £4000.

To their credit the insurance company agreed terms without too much argument and although the repair took quite some time, the end result was brilliant.

[Zetomagneto]

My experience of HR is, shall we say, interesting.  I have both my Swallow and my 1926 Dodge Brothers tourer insured with them.  I made a claim following a relatively small accident with the Dodge. (I reversed into a concrete pillar and bent the rear wing!). To my surprise HR could not name a single body shop equipped to carry out a traditional panel beating exercise on a coach built body.!   They told me I would have to find a suitable repairer myself.

In the end I was entirely satisfied with the work carried out to a very high standard by I Wilkinson & son of Derby.  The cost was an eye watering £4000.

To their credit the insurance company agreed terms without too much argument and although the repair took quite some time, the end result was brilliant.

If the insurer nominates the repairer and you are not happy with the repair it is their problem.If you find the Bodyshop and you are not happy with the repair it is your problem, that is why they don't recommend a repairer.
It is different with modern cars, insurers have nominated repairer with special rates, the number of dissatisfied customers is quite high, the insurers deal with the complaints as and when they arise.
It works for modern cars due to the volume  of claims, overall it is cheaper for them to nominate a repairer , and deal with the inevitable complaints.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Personally, I would prefer to choose my repairer than be allocated an unknown, every time.