Insurance trials 2015

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Peaceand
Posts: 274
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: Near Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Insurance trials 2015

Post by Peaceand » Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:07 pm

Insurance Trials 2015

Trying to insure:
APB 550H - 1969 series IIa SWB - 1998cc Diesel (Perkins Prima)
NPF 554L - 1972 series III LWB Carawagon - 2500cc Diesel (200 TDi)

Requirements
European breakdown cover with recovery of vehicle and passengers to home or destination.
Use for commuting (Mainly SWB, but Carawagon if going away straight from work)
Father as named driver
Ideally able to provide a Green card certificate (at least for the Carawagon)
Salvage rights if possible
Excess below or equal to £200
Start on 5th Nov

Notes
Age 29
Both vehicles kept on my driveway in view of multiple houses.
Don’t own a ‘normal’ car like last year.
‘--> But I am a named driver on two other modern cars.
Neither has their original engine - though both now smaller cc than original.
They frequently ask if the brakes and suspension have been updated to match the new engines - as both have parabolics, the SWB now has a servo and the Carawagon has 6 pot brakes (best series brakes available) with modern shoes - so I say yes to this.
Both have parabolic springs and stereos fitted, if they want to know about modifications.
Member of the Series 2 club
Occupation: web designer

No convictions/medical issues
'--> But one accident in December 2013 - encountered an unlit motorcyclist late at night.
Claimed for O/S wing repairs but couldn’t prove who was at fault.


Peter James
www.peterjamesinsurance.co.uk
0121 506 6040
Starting with the renewal quote from Peter James - £237.95 which is £80.08 more than last year’s price of £157.97.
Rang up to ask why - told it’s because the accident in 2013 is still pending (it was last year too though) and they advised that even if I find a better price elsewhere: “We don’t do price matching” which is a pity as up till now they have been very accommodating.

Footman James
http://www.footmanjames.co.uk/classic-car-insurance
0843 357 1974 (Open till 9 at night unless you need something complicated, like this...then it's office hours)
European recovery £5 more than UK recovery
asked for 5000 miles coverage - can call for more.
Asked about green card - 35 days European cover, no green card as such.

Underwriter is ‘Agiers’ £100 each then add on....
£10 arrangement fee
EU Breakdown £55
legal £20
agreed value £10
drive other cars \£10
drive to work £15

= £333.35

Lancaster
http://www.lancasterinsurance.co.uk
01480 484826
opt out of marketing stuff when they launch into the disclaimer…
Knew what a Carawagon was before I mentioned it - “it’s a factory converted camper” - “Oh, like a Carawagon?”
Unfortunately KGM are their underwriters for all specialist multicar policies, and they are also PJ’s underwriters - so no chance of beating the renewal quote.
Offered two individual policies but advised the price (including breakdown and agreed value) would probably be higher than the renewal.

RH
http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/cla ... rance.html
01277 206911
Same as last year, won’t cover classics unless you own an ‘everyday car’ as well.

Peter Best
http://peterbestinsurance.co.uk
01376 574000
Still no multi car policies unfortunately - didn’t pursue further as the nice lady on the phone reckoned they wouldn’t be able to match the Peter James renewal cost.

May phone back and go through all the details if nobody else comes near the renewal


Heritage (aka Norton)
http://www.heritagecarinsurance.co.uk
0121 248 9229

Very cheerful upbeat hold music
Unfortunately don’t cover a daily drive - unless it’s a fleet policy which needs 3 vehicles.

Sureterm
http://www.sureterm.com/
0800 1313 780
Opt out of marketing stuff when they launch into the disclaimer.
No issues with Carawagon after explaining what it is, “factory conversion” being the key phrase to use.
Couldn’t do multi car with a daily drive, so trying 2 separate policies.
asked for 4000 miles on Carawagon - as usual can phone if I need more.

Suspiciously similar phone option and hold music to Footman James...do they share a call centre?

£320 just for the Carawagon “Marker study” underwriter. Didn’t pursue further for the SWB quote as well...

Diamond
http://www.diamondinsurance.net/motor-insurance
01442 825481
Don’t like insuring under 30s...so will be trying these next year.

Hagerty
http://www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk
0844 824 1134 (Open till 6)
Don’t like insuring under 30s...so will be trying these next year.


ClassicLine
http://www.classiclineinsurance.co.uk/
01455 639 000 (Office hours)
Matt - Very friendly chap advised £96 each minimum, but will try and beat the renewal from PJ
Came up with two separate policies with 5000 miles on each vehicle for £215.18 combined, with all the usual breakdown cover and things. Underwritten by Equity Red Star.

This ended up being the best quote, and they seem like a good company more set up for classics than most. After the fuss of sending the Carawagon away to an 'approved' bodyshop when I had the 2013 accident (Peter James/KGM), and them keeping it for a week longer than expected, the promise of being able to choose somebody I trust to do any repairs is appealing.


Performance Direct
http://www.performancedirect.co.uk/clas ... -insurance
01708 564 143
Opt out of marketing they mention in the recorded disclaimer...
Can’t do multi car policy including a daily drive unless it’s more than 5 vehicles.

After going through all the details for the 88”, (engine change meant it didn’t match any of the predefined descriptions on their computer) she was taken aback when heard the PJ renewal quote, said she wouldn’t be able to come near that price for just the 88”, so we stopped the quote there.
I won’t be trying them next year, they seem totally unsuited for old Land Rovers, let alone campers.


Adrian Flux
https://www.adrianflux.co.uk
0800 369 8590
After going through all the details of both vehicles (no issues with Carawagon as a factory converted camper) He was surprised by the PJ renewal cost, even though last year Adrian Flux quoted £170 for the same vehicles. This time it was looking like over £400 so we stopped the quote there.
Had a bit of a chat about why and it seems that one of the cheaper underwriters has gone and lots of new terms and conditions are being added to other policies - which may explain why everything has been more expensive this year.


Graham Sykes
http://www.graham-sykes.co.uk
0845 1300 236
Ran out of time this year and didn't try them...

Gott & Wynne
http://www.gottandwynne.co.uk
01492 870991
Ran out of time this year and didn't try them...

Cherished Car Insurance
www.cherishedcarinsurance.co.uk
01252 713148
Don’t like insuring under 30s...so will be trying these next year.


Conclusion
Classic Line won this year, Peter James then Footman James were close behind them.
None of them had a problem with the Carawagon, I imagine Dormobiles would find the same too, 'Factory converted' is a magic phrase.


Patrick
  • Holly - 1972 Searle Carawagon Continental Ultimate (200 TDi)
  • Basil - 1969 Searle SWB (Prima TD)
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