A bit of grrrrrr today. Grrrrrr.
Our car was sideswiped while parked about a week ago.
Today, the repair company is picking up our car and dropping off a courtesy car as arranged by our insurance company. I asked them if it would be comparable to the car we own. “Do you own a VW Polo?” he said, “Because that’s what it is.”
No, I don’t. When you have a child as severely disabled as May, a two-door hatchback doesn’t cut it. We could use the entire back end of the car, passenger seats and all to just fit the double stroller we have to use.
I called the insurance company and asked for a bigger car. I even offered to pay the difference. “I’m sorry,” the customer services lady said to me, “but we can only arrange a car as in keeping with the policy.”
So, I explained my daughter’s disabilities. “I’m sorry,” she said, “but it would be unfair on our other policy holders.”
“But, it isn’t fair on us,” I insisted. “Our situation is not equal. We are not receiving a mode of transportation that is equal to getting us places like the rest of your customers.”
This went back and forth for a while. I asked to speak to a manager – who she said was unavailable. “I’ll hold.”
“He won’t be able to speak with you. He will call you back within 24 hours.”
“That’s not good enough for me,” I said. “We need a car today. I’ll hold.”
“You will be holding all day. He is busy.”
“Let me put this in perspective. My daughter can’t walk or talk. Your boss is busy.”
There was a low moan and she asked me to wait. Five minutes later she returned, “My manager is too busy to speak to you, but he has approved a bigger car.”
“Thank you,” I said sweetly.
I don’t enjoy these conversations. I don’t want to speak to managers or throw my daughter’s disabilities in someone’s face. But the fact is, our lives are harder than most people’s.
I have these conversations with airlines that refuse to chill my daughter’s medication because it will take up room in their refrigerator. Or, nurseries that herald their special needs policies, but won’t prioritize May because it would be “unfair on other parents.” Or, people who park in handicap spaces and when I ask why say, “My wife is in the shop and she is pregnant.”
Pregnancy isn’t a disability.
I struggle to dress May in the morning. Fine. I accept that. It takes longer. We sing some songs as we go along. But, I should not struggle to access the basics that any other family, or policyholder, would be able to use.
Finally, enough grrrrrr. Here are a couple cute photos of my son. He turned three months old yesterday and he is no trouble at all. My insurance company could learn a lot from him.
Don’t forget to VOTE for May and Mama! We are nominated for Best Special Needs Blog at Parents Magazine!
Stacie, I am glad you pushed for the loaner car you deserve to have. It is a good thing that you are so assertive. Also, happy 3 month birthday to Ieuan!!!!! You have a very special occation coming up on the 12th! Don’t forget…. Love, Ellen (Nana) & Dad (Grandpa)
The manager was too busy to speak to you? Which company is it? I think you have every right to name and shame.
Happy to name and shame: Esure Car Insurance.
Esure? You should tweet Micahel Winner – I bet he’d sort them out for you.
Done! If anyone wants to read it @MamaLewis1 on Twitter.
*Michael* Winner. Tch.
On behalf of soulless insurance companies everywhere, I apologize. [‘everywhere’ as in not this one in particular!] We are routinely beset with pleas for bigger/better/nicer rentals and routinely say no, because it’s replacement transportation, not an excuse to go on vaka in a convertible. You handled it perfectly. Sucks you had to explain it more than once.
Disability isn’t exactly uncommon. I don’t see why insurance companies aren’t prepared for that. It’s not like you’re the only family with a disabled child. And it’s not like you want a bigger car just because it suits your lifestyle, it’s a necessity and they should really appreciate that. Companies do this all the time, whenever I ask the dwp or nhs for letters in braille they say it’s not possible, why not, I’m sure they’re legally obliged to provide for customers with disabilities.
I hate being on hold bet she was exspecting you to hang up. I think they can always do more than what they say. You almost have to say “Pretend I’m Maddona and give me what I want because just like her I won’t put up with anything but the best!” She should’nt make May’s disability be a reason to drive you nuts. I think if your willing to pay more for the larger car she should of just let you have it in the first place. She is probablly just doing her job, it’s her company that should realize not all families are the same. What if you would of had a van for a family of six. That car that they were to bring wouldn’t of worked for them. So we both know there was another option.
Good news is you got what you needed for the kids to be safe!
That was the thing that really annoyed me, Carrie – I offered to pay the difference!
Way to stick to your guns!!! He is getting so big and favors the beautiful May!
I’m glad you’re sticking up for yourself and your family, and not letting these people push you around. May and Ieuan are two very lucky kids to have such a strong, kind and loving mama.
Btw you and your hubby make adorable children! 🙂
Glad you held to your wits and got what you needed. You make beautiful children.
Ieuan is adorable! I wish we could have a more sensible world! Keep blogging, Stacie. It’s nice knowing what’s going on in your world. Love. Aunt arlene
Ouch…understandably upsetting. Then you ended with my adorable grandson teaching the insurance company a lesson. I had to chuckle. Happy 3 month birthday, Ieuan!!! LOL~XOXOXO
Your very good at what you do. Stay strong it gets much worse, sorry to say.
It should not be this way, but our babies can’t talk, so we have to talk louder.
Take care