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May 10, 2010 18:20:02 GMT
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No, this isn't the disaster story you were perhaps expecting, but annoying none the less. And I really should know better. When the insurance was up on the Lexus I compared the merekat and picked a policy with Post Office insurance which offered the usual array of stuff for a good price, £160. So I finally got my ass in gear to phone them today to ask about doing some mods to the ol' barge as really, driving it stock is not where its at. So I want to swap the 16" alloys on it now for a set of other 16s I have here (nice Work split rims) and lower it about 1.5" later on I was going to give it a quick respray in a suitable non-stock shade... Erm, computer says no. "We cannot offer cover on a car with these modifications" arsebiscuits. They were very helpful and efficient about it, for a car you are keeping stock then I can really recommend them. But the best they could do was cancel my current policy - with no refund of premium - and sell me another policy at £465. What I should have done was a bit of research and taken my policy at renewal with a modification-friendly company 'cos now I can't afford to modify the damn thing at all. Which is probably for the best really. But there you go. The problem is that phoning around for modified car insurance is a pain in the ass, especially on a modern. No price comparison websites exist for this cos as soon as you tick the "yes" to "modifed" box you can't get an online quote and you have to phone. Which would be OK but most of the insurers prefer online business and the call centres kinda reflect this (except Post Office who are really good) So what we need is a compare-the-modified-market type website. Who's up for helping me pitch a business case for this one to the Dragons...
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Last Edit: May 10, 2010 18:23:45 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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May 10, 2010 18:29:07 GMT
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I'd welcome it wholeheartedly, I tried to get a quote on a bog standard '59 Morris Oxford, the go-compare-the-confused-meerkat online quote machine wouldn't even let me touch it. I think it's ok to use online quoters to get a rough idea, but always call the insurance company for the final deal and ask their stance on modifications before you sign up.
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There is no such thing as a curse word car just overstretched expectations................. Herald 10/10 Gasser 10/10 Total score 20/10
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luckygti
Posted a lot
I need to try harder!
Posts: 4,912
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May 10, 2010 19:05:50 GMT
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I had this with the Mercedes. What a royal PITA. The AA were fine with the car, but lowered they were totally uninterested! In fact they couldn't even offer a company that would cover me! I finally have classic insurance on it with a 5k limited mileage policy which is fine and half the price companys wanted for normal insurance! Way to much running around though.
Enough to make me hesitate to have a modified daily after this one, just stick to the high days and holidays modified car!!
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May 10, 2010 19:09:51 GMT
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i never use companies like direct line, aa etc. i always go with specialist companies, i use hic, which don't alter your premium for the first £1500 of mods and 10% power hike
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ezzysi
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,189
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May 10, 2010 19:24:54 GMT
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I've been stung by Direct Line and won't touch them again. Use footman james now for my classics who seem fine with reasonable modifications. There phone support seems top notch too.
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1991 Mk2 Golf Gti 8v 2005 Passat tdi (daily) 1971 Mk1 Escort 2004 Touran (her's)
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,784
Club RR Member Number: 34
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May 10, 2010 19:34:09 GMT
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if you drive a specialised car you need specialised insurance, simple as that. or 'simples' as certian marketing (or meerkating?) departments would have you say.
ive never, ever used a 'normal' insurance company. in fact on the 35+ modified cars ive had, ive only ever been insured with two companies, who are now the same one!! HIC or flux every time. consistantly cheapest for the cover i demand, and ive never had a single problem with either, despite swapping my policy up to 6 times a year and constantly adding mods.
pay peanuts get meerkats.
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May 10, 2010 21:05:49 GMT
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Indeed. I've been with specialists for sufficiently long to have forgotten how good they are...
Problem is its still a lot of phoning around. Even as a stocker the insurance on the Lexus is outrageous with most specialists. I tried a couple then gave up.
modified moderns are a nightmare to insure compared to modified classics, rods and customs and the like. Thing is I'd hardly even call what I was planning "modifications" really.
A modern lexus with rims and springs is hardly a "specialist" car is it?
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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May 10, 2010 21:12:05 GMT
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I have trade insurance... it's really handy!
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May 10, 2010 21:23:18 GMT
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just a get a trader insurance lol I'm fc up to 10,000 on anything i like it could be a mini with a 5.7 chevy v8 lol they don't care as long as its not worth any more than £10,000
i pay a hole £400 a year for this a bargin i think it also mean i can change my car 3 times in one day if i wanted to i had to wait till i was 24 but now insurace is just a dodle no more curse word about lol
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leeandjude
Part of things
I must stop swapping cars!
Posts: 252
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May 10, 2010 21:35:51 GMT
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yep traders policy here too with indemnity up to 15,000 and if i go over my excess goes up a bit. The Laurel, Impreza and Almera are all on the policy as my own cars fully comp and can drive anything up to 15,000 fully comp too straight away. Mods on the cars don't affect it! Yippee! best £560 i ever spent!!!
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'88 Nissan Laurel '96 Rev3 STi RA
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May 10, 2010 21:36:39 GMT
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I'm not currently trading, and they check on that before paying out in the event of a claim, and 3 of my cars I want agreed value cover on and the various other things you get with classic type insurance. It would be a bit excessive to take for one car. When I'm a bit better settled for time and mojo I might start trading again.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,784
Club RR Member Number: 34
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May 10, 2010 21:47:00 GMT
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i went with trade insurance for a short while. what a ballache.
granted the people i went with were cowboys, but if you read the small print, i bet you don't have the cover you think you do. youre lucky if you ever actually have 'proper' third party cover let alone a fully comprehesive, agreeed value, like for like cover on a modifed classic. and with the kinds of cars i work with/own, thats not a risk I'm willing to take........
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May 10, 2010 22:28:09 GMT
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I'm not currently trading, and they check on that before paying out in the event of a claim, and 3 of my cars I want agreed value cover on and the various other things you get with classic type insurance. This. Oh, and the cautionary tale of a client who'd just rolled his £28k Fezza 348 but only had indemnity up to £20k . . . Tis only trade value you'll get paid out on which could be quite a gap on certain cars. If you're a part-time trader, it's a ballache to have to organise another policy just so you can get to your main job. I could go on . . . Like your idea though Akku. I've been thinking along similar lines for a while myself - there seem to be whole swathes of the market that aren't covered by the Confused Meerkats. Alas, one of the trade papers reported the closure of a Commercial Insurance one t'other day. Attributed to the guy's inability to raise the millions of marketing pounds required to compete with the big boys. Twas a shame because only days before I'd hit upon it as the bright idea that was going to make me millions . . . completely unaware that someone else had beaten me to it and was steadily going bust in his attempt.
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@pistonbroker on Twitter
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andyf
South West
Posts: 415
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Am I the only one that finds comparison websites totally useless? I tried to help my son get a quote for his Seat Ibiza and the quotes I got back bore absolutely no comparison to the actual price when we tried to get covered. I rang one company and asked why it was so much dearer and they said comparison sites "only give you a rough idea". The prices weren`t even close.
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1980 Triumph TR7.
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I use sureterm, can't rate them highly enough, just got a w123 merc coupe lowrider (off rod ;-)) and it's £280 with everything declaired and I'm 29. They even respond well to haggling ;D and fantastic to talk to on the phone.
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy.
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I just put my house insurance with Sureterm. Might have to give them a call when its renewal time. I get nothing back if I cancel before the end of the 12 months with current insurance so sod that.
Comparison websites can throw a few funnies but will generally give you the right deal for a stock modern daily type ride.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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I use the comparison websites to get a general "feel" for the price, and then ring Flux who inevitably beat the cheapest quote I got for a standard car, and cover all my mods (Including engine swaps!)
My mate had some "Fun" with eCar insurance. He took a policy out with them about 8pm one night, and they sent a message stating that they needed all the NCB docs and his driving licence gubbins within 2 weeks, or they would cancel his policy and charge him xx fee. Being "internet only" the only way to ring them is on a £1 a minute line, with a 5 minute intro speech and then hold for ten minutes.
In the end he emailed them to cancel and they then said they wanted his details of NCB to cancel it! Basically they did everything they could to drag it out (As they knew that it would take him to the end of the cooling off period to get the NCB certificate!)
After it all, he ended up paying about £150 for <1 days cover. Plus the phone bills trying to cancel.
Every year I ring Footman James, tell them all my car details and get to my age to be told "We only insure 25+" then I ring flux up and spend 10 minutes getting my renewal quote from "reasonable" to "impressive"
Even if they were a bit more expensive that the alternative, I'd stick with them because they are nice to deal with. I ALWAYS forget to send them the "modified vehicle report" thing through by the date they want it, but they are always quite accommodating to my excuses and give me an extension. They are also UK based and have heard all your mods before. I'll never forget trying to explain a "4-2-1 exhaust manifold" to "Rachel" in some Indian elephant.co.uk call centre.
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Last Edit: May 11, 2010 8:30:27 GMT by cobblers
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RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
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I'll never forget trying to explain a "4-2-1 exhaust manifold" to "Rachel" in some Indian elephant.co.uk call centre. Flux/HIC said I was too young (I'm 20) and my car was too modified (Exhaust, wheels, brakes, seats, suspension.) Bit weird considering they're always recommended. I'm with Brentacre now, who have been really good. Was able to pay in 2 lump sums a few months apart, with only a £10 hike over paying in one lump (bloody handy for us students). I know what you mean about UK company's actually understanding the mods, Brentacre were fine with my description of 'a non standard exhaust - part golf GTI, part peco, part home made'
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Ads 19
Posted a lot
My old r19
Posts: 1,351
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May 11, 2010 13:18:29 GMT
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i've been trading since before i had a licence, however every year i try to get a quote and at 23 now its still 3k. less if i limit myself to 1.8s but as that don't cover any of my cars not really worth effort.
I had my Cf at 19 and insured it with adrian flux, all mods declared. V8, standard drum brakes, wide arches etc etc. £380 my only problem is when it decided to play up i rang up and swapped it to my Minor traveller i had. stock, and they wanted another £200 a year. tried to cancel but they are still trying to chase me for the £200.
Lancaster were good as gold for rangerover, but don't seem competitive on anything other than 4x4s
I've used NUD for about 4 years, but they decided to remove a years no claims as i'd made too many changes to cars on policy so they got the boot, still use them for 7 days free cover now and again.
Last 2 years been with direct line, and from point of view of swapping cars on policy they have been brilliant. swapped 9 times last year, and put on over 30 cars for a Day here and there to take for mots. ok not as easy as a trade policy, call centres can take a while to get through, but i must say only ever charged me a few quid for some ridiculous cars for a day. £15 for a RUF BTR for the day was a price i thought worth paying
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May 11, 2010 22:08:53 GMT
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I want to answer loads of the points people have put forward in most of the above posts... I tried insuring with Adrian Flux. A lot. EVERY time, it was because I lived in Northern Ireland, or because I was under 25, or because my car was too old ('89, '95), or because it was too modified for them to handle ('95 Skoda with a lot of drop, more than 35mm anyway). Found them more useless than most. The reason varied with the wind. When I was just 24, I got trade insurance. Allowed because I'd turn 25 within the policy term, i.e. in the last 8 days of it LOL. Transferred my car NCB, got a very good deal. Granted I'm paying far more than any figures mentioned, but here's why: Indemnified up to £25k, and I can drive anything but thats the max cover No engine size restrictions No modification restrictions "No steam engines" lol 3rd party liability on a car transporter I'm in control of and FC on a vehicle on said transporter unlimited mileage and vehicle count coverage for own cars, for any other car in the world with permission - i.e. FC on any car I or my mum (for ease I added her to my policy) including SDP&C - i.e. one 'covers-all' policy, small print doublechecked also with standard car things like windscreen cover... I never have to worry about insurance again. With the ease of buying and selling I don't find it a problem putting through a car a month to warrant it. Best of all they are a local rate telephone number, maximum wait is about 2 minutes, and if it ever got to it, their office is about 25 miles away. It took a full day of ringing around by good golly it was worth it.
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