Footman James Rant

[LeeHodges]

Just had a really useless conversation with Footman James. I called them up to ask if I had any sort of cover on my Griffith's 'classic' policy that would enable me to test drive an '06 plate TVR from a private seller. No, Apparently, and never could be as the '06 car isn't a "classic"...No alternative suggestions made, no further help, nothing. Looks like my first year with FJ may be my last.

[tofts]

Out of interest, when does insurance class the car as classic? The Tuscan (02) is currently on a "classic" insurance, and I was surprised myself. Given that the models are obsolete, does that not make it classic unto itself? I don't know....

But, how remarkably unhelpful. Does it not give you any info on the certificate itself Other cars with owners permission etc?

J

[LeeHodges]

They said the Griffith was a classic and the Tamora wasn't. I asked who said that the Griffith was a "classic" and that surely that was subjective. Apparently it's classic if it's over 20 years old... So I said "So you can't insure me on the Tamora under the same conditions as the Griff?" "No." "So you won't insure me on the Tamora?" "Urm. Ah. Yes - It's over 10 years old."

[harry henderson]

They are very competitive though, I've just taken a policy out with them for my Cerb. Only £244 and the next closet I could get was over £600. My Cerb is 20 years old now so they class it as a classic.

[ray von]

Not really useless as you found out you couldn't drive the 06 car. A useless conversation would've been if they didn't know if you could drive it

[Wombat3]

Speak to AIB & ask them about a Hiscox policy. I have one that allows me to drive any car (and anyone over 30 to drive mine if I let them).

[Byker28i]

Many of the main stream insurers now cover TVR's. I was surprised to find it's only costing me just over £200 to insure the cerbera - no low mileage limit.

[TheRainMaker]

The other thing to keep an eye on with classic car policy's is, you loose your no claims.

Always worth looking at the small print.

[Pootus]

FJ came good for us... Just under £200 for a Tuscan with agreed value of £35k, 5k limited miles and de-catt'd

[GazzaM100]

Mannings insure my 54 plate Tamora on a classic policy and keep your no claims bonus active even though it's not used.

[craigjm]

Surely your issue is with the insurer not footman james

[Rocket 88]

FJ were pathetic a couple of years ago when I changed Porsche's, (wish I had kept the classic one) but that's another story. I rang the number on my policy, explained the the change and was just told Sorry we can't help you I don't even recall them saying the car was too new. I then got out my Porsche Post magazine and found an advert for FJ. It was a full page spread with a picture of the exact same car that I was trying to insure so I rang the number in the advert, the said have you just spoken to so and so, I said yes and their reply was the same, sorry we can't help. I stated I was holding a full page advert from them with the very car I was trying to insure and the just repeated sorry we can't help. The advert also stated everyday car insurance which I was quite happy to go with but the just couldn't be ar*ed to put me through to another department. I explained I had been a cleint for 35 years and still got nowhere.

I went with Adrain Flux with the Porsche for £550 and two TVR's with Hagerty for £236

There, that's my rant and the deserve it

[KKson]

Adrian Flux quoted £154 renewal for my 350i. FJ added it to the existing £100 policy on my 390SE for only £39. £139 for two Wedges is pretty damn good in my books.

[paul1962]

FJ wanted double what Henderson Taylor was asking for my Sag and they were offering less miles.
As for Flux, I only call them when I feel in need of a laugh as the figures they give are a joke!

[tonys]

The age limit for 'classic' seems to vary from underwriter to underwriter; I've had some who will accept at 10 years and another stated 20 years.

I've also had Hagerty accept the TVR (along with with other cars) for few years and then, as quite a few of us experienced, be advised that their underwriters would no longer cover the TVR but that they'd happily continue to insure the other 'classics'. Shame really, as I liked Hagerty.

It would seem to be entirely at the underwriter's discretion, and variable.

[Mr Jenks]

I chose FJ for the Griff after its rebuild. Yes, very competitive price but service and organisation, don't get me started.
Whilst browsing website recently I came across some staff role call photos...

[Incognegro]

There was me thinking I was getting a good deal at Classic Line on a multi car (Cerbera and an Evoque) my renewal quote is £1200 looks like after seeing some figures of £200 I will be shopping around!

[PhilH42]

Years ago it was easy enough to drive another car without much grief if you were not already covered...give them a call and you would either be given the green light or charged a nominal fee. Even swapping cars was an easy change to your policy with money either way.

Then again you could insure an 18 year old as a named driver with little change in money even though he was thrashing your xr3i within an inch of its life more often than you were

Edited by PhilH42 on Saturday 15th October 19:06