Mum’s anger as firm voids insurance policy of daughter’s killer

THE grieving mother of a woman who died after a couple “literally drove” her to her death has hit out at an insurance company for voiding one of the driver’s insurance policies – 10 months after the crash.

Jackie Taylor is angry after discovering more than a year after the death of her daughter Sophie that Cardiff-based company Admiral had cancelled Michael Wheeler’s insurance because of “misinformation” he gave when filling in the original forms.

Sophie, 22, was chased for three miles through the streets of Cardiff in August last year before Wheeler rammed her BMW and caused her to crash into a wall.

Wheeler, of Harlech Road, Cardiff, was jailed for seven and a half years. The driver of another car involved in the chase, Melissa Pesticcio, of Marshfield Road, Cardiff, was jailed for six and a half years.

Mrs Taylor has now been told that Admiral went to Cardiff County Court to have Wheeler’s insurance claim made void.

The heartbroken mum, from Llandaff, Cardiff, has accused the company of “underhand tactics” and said the company has “broken her trust”.

But Admiral says that by voiding the policy, it is “not saying that Mr Wheeler is not responsible for the incident.”

A spokesman said the damages that have and are due to be paid to Mrs Taylor on behalf of Sophie’s estate are not affected.

But Mrs Taylor, who is meeting with company officials next week, said: “They can’t brush this under the carpet. Our solicitor has asked to see the order to find out what the reasons for voiding the insurance were, but they won’t tell him.

“That it has taken them 13 months is absurd and insulting. It feels like they have been dragging their heels, and it has just added to my grief.

“It is not about the money. It is not about putting a pound sign on Sophie’s life. This is about people taking responsibility for what has happened. They need to accept that one of their insured drivers has killed my daughter.”

In statement from Admiral, a spokesman said: “We would firstly like to offer our deepest sympathy to Mrs Taylor following the tragic loss of her daughter Sophie.

“In February this year we were made aware of our involvement in this awful incident. The two drivers, Michael Wheeler and Melissa Pesticcio, who caused this incident were convicted and received prison sentences for death by dangerous driving in May 2017.

“Admiral fully supports the prosecutions against them for the devastating consequences of their actions.

“During the course of our investigations we discovered that the policy of insurance with Admiral had been obtained on false information. This information was put before Cardiff County Court in June 2017 and by order of the court, the policy of insurance with Admiral was voided from the date it was taken out. This is the approach we have taken with other customers who have deliberately misled us to obtain a policy.

“By voiding the policy we are not saying that Mr Wheeler is not responsible for the incident. Again we fully support the prosecutions against him and Melissa Pesticcio. We accept full responsibility for our obligations in relation to the claim.

“To be very clear, the damages that have and are to be paid to Mrs Taylor on behalf of Sophie’s estate are not affected. This has already been explained to the solicitor that represents her. It only impacts upon which insurer, i.e. Admiral or the insurer of Ms Pesticcio, will ultimately be responsible for meeting the claims.

“While discussions continue between Admiral and Ms Pesticcio’s insurer, Admiral has and will continue to deal with all claims presented. We can confirm that all requests for payment received to date from Mrs Taylor’s solicitors, including the funeral costs, have been met in full by Admiral.

“We’ve arranged a meeting with Mrs Taylor and her legal representative as we want to discuss this complex and sensitive situation face to face with her and talk through any further questions or concerns she has.

“We would once again like to offer our deepest condolences to Mrs Taylor and her family at such a difficult time.”