so don;t
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Is this company (once promoted by this site with the site being promoted by HJ - they made a bit of a thing about it too I recall) no longer functioning? What about policies
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The website seems to have disappeared. As far as I remember they were an advice centre rather than a broker or insurer.
For the benefit of new members, one of their legal advisers (Lucy) had an arrangement to provide free legal advice on this forum in return for being allowed to advise people to use Autolaw's services where relevant. This arrangement stopped last summer.
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How did my post end up as being dated yesterday!?!? It was posted ages ago.
EDIT: I said yesterday but it's now Thursday 12th... so the day before I guess.
Edited by rtj70 on 12/04/2012 at 02:06
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No idea Rob! We've had non-appearance of posts caused by IE9 but not delays before. Anyway at least it appeared. The vagaries of software which I shall never truly understand.
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I am due to renew my Autolaw policy on 1st May 2012. Their new website says:
This site has been redirected from WWW.AUTOLAW.CO.UK If you wish to renew your policy or purchase a policy. Please contact admin@autolaw.org.uk or call us on 07928150919
However, from reading this Back Room thread, would I be wise to go elsewhere for my motoring legal insurance?
What does HONEST JOHN say? as he recommended it last May.
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The arrangement with Lucy BC was still in force last May. If you have trouble contacting Autolaw, that probably means you should look elsewhgere. If you would like advice from Honest John, E-mail him at letters@honestjohn.co.uk
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The New site address is www.autolaw.org.uk please call 01173830021 if you would like information on new policy's ir if your policy is due to expire.
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The AutoLaw Site has been directed to www.autolaw.org.uk please contact us on 01173830021.
If you look under the url of the autolaw.co.uk it has a 01497831107 number on there please do not under any circumstances call this numnber as it goes through to a fraudester called xxxx who is posing as yyyy. This person is acting out on behalf of clients and they are paying huge sums of money to him and his so called wife zzzz with never paying the clients the court costs or winning fees as they pocket all of the money directly to them selves.
(Edit - names removed as we have no information about who is genuine and who isn't.)
Edited by Avant on 28/04/2012 at 01:55
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The above message was originally from someone calling themselves LucyBonhamCarter - looks as if the poster has changed their nickname since 14:58 today.
It contains various errors of expression and, though the link to autolaw.org.uk works (and the website home page shows a picture of LBC), when I try to e-mail the contact address shown, the message bounces back. The phone contact given is a mobile number.
The posting above also names and shames an individual who is described as a "fraudester" and who has a "so called wife".
I'm wondering what is going on - you have to admit the whole thing looks dodgy. And does it breach forum rules?
Edited by FP on 26/04/2012 at 19:27
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Thanks for this, FP. I'll try to investigate and find out who if anyone is genuine. Fraudester might be a typo (we all make them), but I would have expected the real Lucy to have known that the plural of policy is not policy's !
I've removed the names for now.
I'll report back when I've found more out. If all is shut at the week-end it may be early next week.
Edited by Avant on 28/04/2012 at 01:56
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The New Site www.autolaw.org is still undergoing new site development and will have all the links in place by the end of next week. There will also be a full comprehensive members area in which all of there policies will be viewable with each member being able to log in and see a complete history of there usage of the site. It will have a full Q&A system as. So please be patient whilst this is put in place.
If you have any questions in the mean time please call 011738300221
Many Thanks
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Members area?
There policies?
Don't worry, I won't be losing any sleep while you try to get your URL back. I take it that Autolaw.co.uk weren't all that keen on Autolaw.org!
Edited by unthrottled on 30/04/2012 at 11:55
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The link should be www.autolaw.org.uk
"It will have a full Q&A system as" (?)
"Mean time"
E-mails still bounce back.
It doesn't inspire confidence, does it?
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Call us on...07928150919!
"professional accident handling team"
and an "investigation team"
Presumably sharing one mobile!
This is hilarious.
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I've had an email reminding me to renew my policy in a couple of weeks time. Looking at the state of the website, the comments on here and the use of mobile numbers, I'm strongly inclined to keep my £24.50 in my pocket.
I do like the idea of the cover Autolaw is/was supposed to provide though. Does anyone know of any alternatives providing a similar service?
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I'm afraid I do not believe that Autolaw was a legitimate company or that Lucy Bonham Carter ever existed other than as a pseudonym for someone else. She looks awfully young in her picture (of which there is only ever the one) to have the sort of experience she purports to have and I have spoken to various organisations who she writes for but non have ever spoken to her in person or met her. All dealings are by e mail.
So correct me if I am wrong Honest John but I think you need to come down off the fence and confirm one way or the other whether this person and their company is legit or not.
By the way, I did report them to the FSA a couple of months ago as I assume someone selling insurance is governed by them but Autolaw were not listed. The person I spoke to wasn't happy with their website and was looking into the matter so whether that has anything to do with their disappearance I don’t know
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Looks like others have been having problems with our Lucy ...
http://www.lawgistics.co.uk/read-news/246
The law society does not seem to have a Bonham Carter on their records, either.
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I have to say that having had experience of the SOGA from both sides in the past, I privately thought that some of the advice offered on this forum by the aforementioned lady was sometimes a trifle flawed.
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There are lots of things that don't add up about Autolaw and Lucy Bonham Carter? Why does a bonafide company change it's web address to autolaw.org.uk saying it has been redirected from autolaw.co.uk -did they forget to pay their domain name subs! Let's hope Lucy doesn't forget to pay her mobile phone bill (the contact number listed) or else no one will be able to call emergency break down!
This company would be a joke if they hadn't taken people in, including it would seem the journalist world, and no doubt taken good money from many people. This company needs to be investigated fully and the truth be made public.
Edited by Butterfly on 19/05/2012 at 16:39
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It is further interesting that Car Dealer Magazine seems to have dropped the lovely Lucy. She went from Car Dealer Club Lawyer in June 2011 to Columnist in Novemeber 2011 and in February 2012 she seems to have been dropped altogether in favour of Lawgistics.
Perhaps Car Dealer got to the bottom of who they were really trusting for their readerships legal advice.
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Lucy is a real person, and she is a cousin of the actress Helena who shares the same surname.
To be fair to Lucy, she's never claimed to be a fully qualfied lawyer.
It seems obvious the motoring advice business is not going well, if it's now going at all.
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Lucy is a real person, and she is a cousin of the actress Helena who shares the same surname.
To be fair to Lucy, she's never claimed to be a fully qualfied lawyer.
It seems obvious the motoring advice business is not going well, if it's now going at all.
So she isn't a fully qualified lawyer then?
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Sorry but I don't think so and I would be very interested to hear what Helena Bonham Carter has to say on the subject of her "cousin" using that connection to substantiate who she is!
In Car Dealer Magazine she was promoted as "top industry lawyer heading up the legal team for an insurance company and her own department at autolaw". Can't find any later retraction from Lucy saying this was an error!
Her linked in profile seems to show her very actively hopping between companies since November 2011. Personally I would be very wary of dealing with any of the companies listed there namely:
Concordance LLP
April 2012 – Present (2 months) Coventry, UK
LegalBond
January 2012 – Present (5 months) London, Cardiff an Edinburgh
MiAssist
November 2011 – Present (7 months) Cardiff United kingdom
I actually live close to Cardiff and would be happy to meet with Lucy to discuss the concerns raised. So there you go Lucy. Prove me wrong!
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And finally - on her Twitter profile - which presumably she wrote herself - she describes herself as "Lawyer specialising in automotive and insurance"
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Just got this....
"Dear Mr XXXXXX
Your Legal expenses policy is due to expire with us on the XXth June 2012 please advise if you wish to renew and i shall arrange to get your new policy documents drawn up. The price is fixed at £24.50 for the year.
Regards
Charlotte De’Luss
Manager AutoLaw Legal Services
charlotte.deluss@autolaw.org.uk
Telephone 0117 383 0021
Check out our motor legal cover:
http://www.autolaw.org.uk - for the consumer
The UK's leading automotive legal team
This email and any attachments to it may be confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Autolaw.
If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you must neither take any action based upon its contents, nor copy or show it to anyone.
Please contact the sender if you believe you have received this email in error."
Do I renew or go with another internet based company offering similar services? My gut feeling, having looked at the website (Still has a photo of LBC but appears "ripped off" as it is distorted and the casual use of capitals and lower case in the e-mail is to go elsewhere - comments anyone?
Edited by Duncan112 on 29/05/2012 at 20:12
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Duncan -
Very similar wording to what I received some months ago. Like you, I was suspicious and went elsewhere. Tried to e-mail admin@autolaw.org.uk (the contact given on the website) several times, most recently a few minutes ago; all messages bounce back.
Edited by FP on 29/05/2012 at 20:31
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Thanks, think I'll spend my money elsewhere then..
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To be scrupulously fair, I now need to add that I have received an e-mail apparently from Charlotte De'Luss, who says the original e-mail (inviting renewal) was genuine, sent by herself. She does not address the issues relating to www.autolaw.co.uk
Edited by FP on 29/05/2012 at 22:15
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I've tried ringing the various numbers given to try to find out more on behalf the forum, but always got a machine. I'll try that Bristol number once more tomorrow and leave a message if I get the machine again.
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I suggest you google Charlotte De'luss. An untitled document comes up Saying that autolaw has been made aware that a former employee, said Charlotte De'luss, has " been soliciting renewal cheques for her personal account"
When you click on this link it just goes to the usual Autolaw message for their web site.
I do wonder whether these two people are one and the same , namely Lucy and Charlotte - but whatever I wouldnt give them a penny.
Someone needs to investigate this company and get some answers!
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hi just joined this forum to warn others of my personal experience, was happy to pay £24.50 last year for what i thought was a useful insurance to cover the 3 vehicles in my household for vehicle legal protection. Saw this company recomended in newspaper so didn't think any more of it and no reason to be suspicious. Nobody answered phone immediately but they called back (when i left a message) and i happily paid via internet banking. Now year later thought i'd check the renewal, its gone past renewal date by month, very unusual as i always get reminders, so called the number on the insurance certificate, guy answered saying he hadn't heard of the company but has instructions to pass my details onto another person (alarm bells ringing!) I was so insistent on a 'fishy' story the guy eventually gave me conrad murrays (owner? listed on certificate) mobile and email address. I then googled autolaw and found this forum (sorry not involved in all the politics side so a bit lost on that!) just wanted to warn others that i will not be looking to renew, thank goodness i didn't need to claim from them as the claims number guy said they wouldn't have dealt with it at all?? and thats the number listed on the certificate for claims??
I have asked trading standards to check out this company and they have taken full details, i cannot say it is a scam as its libelous but please take on board the above and contact trading standards if you have had a problem or indeed leave a message (not the owners of autolaw) if they have genuinely assisted in the event of an actual claim.
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Looks like it has gone into "maintainance mode" this evening, including the quote "If you recently purchased a policy and have yet to receive it please contact us urgently......."
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I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has bought a policy and actually had occassion to make use of it. What sort of service - if any - did they receive?
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I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has bought a policy and actually had occassion to make use of it. What sort of service - if any - did they receive?
I rang the helpline last October for some advice following a minor accident and found them very helpful. The number given on the policy documents (0117 383 0221) was live when I tried it a few minutes ago but ends up with an answering service.
Our policy is up for renewal in August and I am in a quandary about what to do.
We need some clarity here about whether Autolaw still exists or whether there is an alternative other than buy an overpriced policy from our motor insurers. Can HJ or anyone else help?
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I've ditched Autolaw.
Try Googling "stand alone motor legal protection" for some interesting discussions and possible alternatives.
I signed up with these people, but have no experience of them and do not in any way endorse or recommend them - they seemed OK, is all I can say:
tinyurl.com/cqdn66b
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I would be very wary gcr of a company that goes to answer at 11 in the morning, did they get back to you? I agree though that some clarification is needed and as honest John used to have Lucy bonham carter as a legal adviser, thereby endorsing her and in turn the company she represents, perhaps he should be the one to answer these questions
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"...honest John used to have Lucy bonham carter as a legal adviser, thereby endorsing her and in turn the company she represents, perhaps he should be the one to answer these questions"
Hardly fair, I believe.
LBC's involvement with HJ is history - by some margin. And it now seems LBC is no longer involved with Autolaw.
It's a bit far down the line for HJ to be concerned about such matters.
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I agree it's not fair to blame HJ for what's happened, but as many of us went to Autolaw on his endorsement, I don't think it is unreasonable for HJ at least to confirm that it is now defunct and perhaps recommend someone else - if indeed there is an alternative.
In response to Butterfly - I didn't leave a message because I didn't think there was any point.
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"... if indeed there is an alternative."
Did you not read my post above?
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"... if indeed there is an alternative."
Did you not read my post above?
Yes - and I did precisely what you suggested a few days before your post. I did not find any 'interesting discussions or possible alternatives' there.
Your link goes to Aspire Claims, which, although offering legal cover, is a claims management company and not an alternative as far as I am concerned.
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"I did not find any 'interesting discussions or possible alternatives' there."
Really?
I've just repeated the process. The results include links to discussions on MoneySavingExpert.com forums and forums on The Motley Fool website. Perhaps you don't find them interesting.
Besides the link I gave, there is a link to http://www.composite-legal.com/223/motor-legal-expenses-insurance, where you can get Motor Legal Protection.
You may not like the look of the website I used, but it offers Motor Legal Protection and is therefore an alternative.
That's a sample of what I found: two lots of discussions and two alternative sources of cover.
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Many thanks FP - very helpful. If anyone doesn't feel happy with what they find on Google or what's offered by their insurer, they can always consult an independent insurance broker who will have a recommendation.
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On that basis you'd have tought a response and recommendation for an alternative would be suggested. I wonder what the official position is..? HJ is more than an individual.
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"...honest John used to have Lucy bonham carter as a legal adviser, thereby endorsing her and in turn the company she represents, perhaps he should be the one to answer these questions"
Hardly fair, I believe.
LBC's involvement with HJ is history - by some margin. And it now seems LBC is no longer involved with Autolaw.
It's a bit far down the line for HJ to be concerned about such matters.
He still does link to her: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
It is possible that link is obsolete, but was missed when severing ties, if that was indeed the case. I wonder who she is out of pure curiosity, having been taken aback at her aggressive and very opinionated posting style.
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"I wonder who she is out of pure curiosity, having been taken aback at her aggressive and very opinionated posting style."
Agreed-I did wonder at some of her posts concerning county court procedure, having been on the receiving end of it myself in the past.
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Thank you very much for spotting that, Leif: I let HJ know and he has deleted the reference.
True, Lucy tended to be abrasive but she did give some good advice. We're very lucky to have some people who come on here out of the kindndess of their hearts and offer good advice, notably Dwight Van Driver (at least he does when the Great God Microsoft allows him to post). Many thanks to all.
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I found this Lucy very arrogant and outright rude, not to mention that she has no real legal knowledge.
I am not smearing her name, as I have all her emails as a proof.
She did not have a clue about the legality of the matter, yet attacked me in a way that even the oponent did not.
I went ahead and won my court case anyway (posted in a new thread).
If this Lucy really works as a legal adviser somewhere, I would be more than happy to see her in court on a next occasion. But not likely, she is not a solicitors, and I haven't checked if she is a barrister...
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Hi All,
There seems to be a huge number of people that have been scammed by the fictious Lucy Bonham Carter.
All this speculation is true, there is a case with the Police Fraud dept. Anyone who has been scammed please PM me so I can provide you with crime reference numbers etc.
You can google the names quite easily but don't want this post to be deleted so thought best not to name on here. You will see Autolaw became Concordance and now Beep Data Ltd. Companies House directories list the directors names.
They have been scamming people for £10,000's, not just the £24.99 legal cover they sold but pretending to take cases to couurt charging and not actually doing this.
PM me for more info.....
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