UMVA has learned that a luxury pink Ferrari, valued at $175,000, has been left without insurance coverage after a collision with another vehicle at a crossroads. The car's owner, Lisa-Marie Brown, had customized the vehicle with a bright pink wrap to promote her business and encourage more women to become entrepreneurs.
The bespoke Ferrari California, purchased in 2019 for £120,000, was designed to stand out and inspire women to pursue their business ventures. However, the car's unique features were not approved by the Italian manufacturer, and its insurance coverage has now been revoked due to a technicality.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the insurance company, Admiral, claimed that Ms. Brown had not fixed a fuel leak that caused the supercar to fail its MOT, thereby invalidating her cover. The incident occurred in August 2023, when the car was found to have been leaking fuel from its rear shock absorber.
Despite having the issue brought to her attention, Ms. Brown continued to drive the car for 128 miles over five days, rather than having the problem fixed. This decision ultimately led to the insurance company's decision to deny coverage, leaving Ms. Brown to bear the costs of repairs and medical treatment for her whiplash and other injuries sustained in the collision.
The ombudsman's decision has had a significant impact on Ms. Brown's life, forcing her to put her business on hold and repair the luxury vehicle herself. "My life has been on hold for the past three years, it's been incredibly upsetting," she said, highlighting the emotional toll of the ordeal.
Aside from the Ferrari, Ms. Brown owns several other pink cars, including a Porsche Panamera and a rare McLaren 600LT, which are part of her pink inventory. She has now turned to a mechanic business in Cardiff to get the Ferrari back on the road and resume her business operations.
A spokesperson for Admiral emphasized that driving without a valid MOT is "dangerous and could put the driver and other road users at risk," and would nullify any cover regardless of which party was at fault. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining vehicle safety and adhering to regulatory requirements.
