EXCLUSIVE

By James Truswell: A stunned pensioner says he was told by his insurers to check the mileometer of his burning car before it blew up – to help the firm value it accurately!

Richard Talbot, 65, and his wife Susan, 61, have made over 120 calls in a month since his Mercedes B150 was decimated by fire outside their Penkhull home.

He told StaffsLive that he and his wife “would have been completely incinerated” if he had been near the car during the blaze.

The couple were going to bed just before midnight on April 15 when they heard a loud bang.

Mrs Talbot saw their car, parked on their drive, was ablaze.

“It was like something out of a film, flames and smoke everywhere and bangs as tyres burst one by one,” he said.

“The flames were leaping into the side of his house.”

Fire crews controlled the blaze before the petrol tank blew and gas specialists had to dig up part of the drive to repair a damaged main gaspipe.

It was later discovered the car had an electrical fault.

Mr Talbot's fire-ravaged car

Mr Talbot is still waiting for Saga to pay for a new drive, new guttering, new carpet, telephone cables and gas main all damaged in the fire.

“I have been complaining for five weeks. I am still waiting,” he said.

“The woman dealing with my case has gone on holiday for three weeks!”

Mr Talbot now claims his £549 Saga policy – £170 for car insurance and £379 for house insurance –  was sold to him ”under a false perception” as Saga denied him a courtesy car after the fire which left them trapped at home.

Mr Talbot believes the firm, which specialises in insuring people over 50, are taking advantage of the elderly.

“I feel exploited. Saga are just their to screw you for as much as they can get out of you.

“I think they have found a niche where they can exploit the vulnerable who do not complain enough.

“It is the very idea that I had to clear the mess up, board the house up and the trouble and grief we had to deal with.”

A spokesman for Saga declined to comment on the matter due to “data protection” but said they are in discussions with Mr Talbot.