A-Plan or MSM insurance, who's best?

[450Nick]

I've just been getting some quotes for this year and the best two have come through as A-Plan and MSM for a Supercharged Chim 450. They've both come in with about the same quote so, having used neither of them before I was wondering what they're like to live with, good/bad experiences etc and who might be the better bet? I've not dug deep into their respective small prints yet so are there any nasties I should know about (I am aware that neither do track day cover which is a bit of a shame, but A Manning's underwriters have supposedly forbidden them for insuring any supercharged TVRs (the guy on the phone was hugely appologetic though bless him!)

[anonymous-user]

I've never used MSM but I am with A Plan and they have been great. The premiums are competitive and when I unfortunately had to claim they settled a C£30k total loss claim without fuss and then increased my premium by only a tiny amount to upgrade to a Sag. And their renewal quote was on the money.

[aquatix]

I'm also with A-plan. As well as being cheapest their excess was also a lot less than others.

Only small print (but explained anyway) was they insist on it being garaged overnight for some postcodes - unless you have a tracker device fitted. Not too unreasonable.

[gemini]

Dont know how reliable A Plan are.

I and others have rung for a quote and they failed to get back to me!

If they dont want your money in the first place then how will they be when you want theirs?

[anonymous-user]

gemini said:

Dont know how reliable A Plan are.

I and others have rung for a quote and they failed to get back to me!

If they dont want your money in the first place then how will they be when you want theirs?

We're talking about insuring TVR's here Rich, not German hairdressers cars.

[450Nick]

Thanks for all the input guys, A Plan seem to have more TVRs under their belt at the moment so they're looking good to me. Is there no one here with MSM?? I'm sure I've seen them recommended here several times so there must be some of you out there (unless its just the one guy being very vocal??). They seem very friendly and following my quote, the guy in charge rang me personally to ask what I thought of my quote and explained their system to me and how it would reduce by various amounts in varying circumstances. I thought that was very impressive so I was leaning towards them. Both have said they would better each other's quote (which are virtually the same anyway), so its just down to service and excess I would think. Must find out the excess actually, not sure why I haven't already!

[Nicholas Blair]

unrepentant said:

gemini said:

Dont know how reliable A Plan are.

I and others have rung for a quote and they failed to get back to me!

If they dont want your money in the first place then how will they be when you want theirs?

We're talking about insuring TVR's here Rich, not German hairdressers cars.

I phoned last year for a quote from them - 'Er, what's a TVR'

Pretty hopeless

[Chris71]

I know this isn't a direct answer, but have you tried Hagerty? To be fair I don't know how they react to major engine mods (the bloke I spoke to hinted that could be an issue with mine), but for standard cars they're unbelievably cheap.

[scorcher]

I didn't rate A Plan at all. It all ended with a cheap price for me.After that I thought they were rubbish.Even if their renewal quote had been decent I wouldn't of insured with them again.( it wasn't,it was about 200 quid dearer)I 've insured with MSM when I had my Westfield and without a doubt they are one of the most helpful companies you could ask for. They are highly rated amongst the kit car scene.Not necessarily the cheapest but people would go back for the service given.

[im]

Both Myself & Blues who both have Supercharged Chimaeras are with A-Plan but I haven't had to claim yet so can't relay any experiences unfortunately.

But yes, I too was told by Mannings they weren't interested in Supercharged TVR's.

[450Nick]

Chris71 said:

I know this isn't a direct answer, but have you tried Hagerty? To be fair I don't know how they react to major engine mods (the bloke I spoke to hinted that could be an issue with mine), but for standard cars they're unbelievably cheap.

No, I've used Hagerty before and they are very good, but their underwriters simply won't let them insure any supercharged cars so they're out, as are A Manning.


Looks like its going to be down to excess. Always nice to have two options though! They've both provided very reasonable quotes for the charger, in fact not that much more than standard which is very good before I've even thought about taking service into account!

[Nicholas Blair]

TVR Moneypit said:

Nicholas Blair said:

unrepentant said:

gemini said:

Dont know how reliable A Plan are.

I and others have rung for a quote and they failed to get back to me!

If they dont want your money in the first place then how will they be when you want theirs?

We're talking about insuring TVR's here Rich, not German hairdressers cars.

I phoned last year for a quote from them - 'Er, what's a TVR'

Pretty hopeless

So far I have dealt with Darren, Henry and Claire at A-Plan. Each one of them a true car enthusiast through and through.

In the three years that I have been with A-Plan, I have found them to be competative, polite, courtious, and knowledgable, offering all round great service.

Personally, I couldn't reccomend them enough.

Must have got through to their Indian branch that day

[Far Eastender]

I was with A Plan, but moved to Hegarty (no complaints at all), as A Plan won't do track day insurance.

[Chris71]

Nicholas Blair said:

TVR Moneypit said:

Nicholas Blair said:

unrepentant said:

gemini said:

Dont know how reliable A Plan are.

I and others have rung for a quote and they failed to get back to me!

If they dont want your money in the first place then how will they be when you want theirs?

We're talking about insuring TVR's here Rich, not German hairdressers cars.

I phoned last year for a quote from them - 'Er, what's a TVR'

Pretty hopeless

So far I have dealt with Darren, Henry and Claire at A-Plan. Each one of them a true car enthusiast through and through.

In the three years that I have been with A-Plan, I have found them to be competative, polite, courtious, and knowledgable, offering all round great service.

Personally, I couldn't reccomend them enough.

Must have got through to their Indian branch that day

I rang A-Plan about my previous car (a Jap import) and it turned out there were two offices and you had to speak to the right one. From memory I think it's A-Plan Thatcham that did imports and so presumably other high performance stuff?

[anonymous-user]

Chris71 said:

I rang A-Plan about my previous car (a Jap import) and it turned out there were two offices and you had to speak to the right one. From memory I think it's A-Plan Thatcham that did imports and so presumably other high performance stuff?

Correct. A Plan Thatcham are the boys. 01635-874646. Darren is the guv'nor but any of the guys and gals will help you.

[duff-man]

As this question seems to come around quite often would it be worthwhile creating a sticky wiki at the top of the page with details such as:

Insurer	Trackdays	Mods Covered	Minimum Age	Telephone
-	-	-	-	-

[yanmar]

good idea duff-man

[dan de-lyon]

I am with MSM,i tried several companies including A plan, i found MSM the most helpfull (and most knowlegable)I was given a very speedy and competetive quote

[TimmyArt]

I've been with MSM for about 7 years - They are very helpful and nice to deal with.

[grumpy bear]

Also with MSM would echo the comments above, very helpful and insure me for business use as well without it being excessive. Been with them since 2004 reccomended by the Westfield Sports Car Club at the time.