Evening all
Well, even though I promised the missus that I wouldn't get another retro ride (having sold Opel no.2) until after Xmas, due to some drunken eBay bidding I have ended up the proud (!) owner of a 1987 Vauxhall Belmont 1.8 GLSi (Mk2 Ashtray-with-a-boot no less), 58k from new, resplendent in metallic brown.
Yes, it was cheap, but I quite like it!
Anyway, rang my current classic insurers (Norton Heritage) last week to tell them I'd changed my car, they said no problem, issued a new cover note and all was well in the world.
However, today I get a phone call to say 'sorry sir, we made a mistake, your new car does not fit our criteria of a classic car, we can renew your cover but at £315 instead of the £80 it was last year'
This is with a car in the same insurance group, I'm 28 with full NCB, respectable postcode, 3000 mile restriction, car garaged overnight (spottedlaurel will vouch for this
.
I tried Adrian Flux and Footman James, but the Ashtray doesn't seem to fit their profile of a classic car either, and were quoting £400 plus - because I can't use any of my NCB as it's tied up in my everyday modern tin box. As this is about 4 times what the car has cost me so far, I'm not a happy bunny...
I agree a Belmont is not an MGB or E-Type, but I was under the impression that 'classic' policies can be obtained for pretty much anything over 10 years old. Perhaps the fact that it's a four-door Astra GTE counts against it?
Will be trying HIC and Sureterm tomorrow, and waiting for Performance Direct to get back to me. In the meantime, does anyone insure a similar vehicle in similar circumstances with a decent premium?
Well, even though I promised the missus that I wouldn't get another retro ride (having sold Opel no.2) until after Xmas, due to some drunken eBay bidding I have ended up the proud (!) owner of a 1987 Vauxhall Belmont 1.8 GLSi (Mk2 Ashtray-with-a-boot no less), 58k from new, resplendent in metallic brown.
Yes, it was cheap, but I quite like it!
Anyway, rang my current classic insurers (Norton Heritage) last week to tell them I'd changed my car, they said no problem, issued a new cover note and all was well in the world.
However, today I get a phone call to say 'sorry sir, we made a mistake, your new car does not fit our criteria of a classic car, we can renew your cover but at £315 instead of the £80 it was last year'
This is with a car in the same insurance group, I'm 28 with full NCB, respectable postcode, 3000 mile restriction, car garaged overnight (spottedlaurel will vouch for this
.I tried Adrian Flux and Footman James, but the Ashtray doesn't seem to fit their profile of a classic car either, and were quoting £400 plus - because I can't use any of my NCB as it's tied up in my everyday modern tin box. As this is about 4 times what the car has cost me so far, I'm not a happy bunny...
I agree a Belmont is not an MGB or E-Type, but I was under the impression that 'classic' policies can be obtained for pretty much anything over 10 years old. Perhaps the fact that it's a four-door Astra GTE counts against it?
Will be trying HIC and Sureterm tomorrow, and waiting for Performance Direct to get back to me. In the meantime, does anyone insure a similar vehicle in similar circumstances with a decent premium?
