Insurance - Covered When Topless?

[beancaker]

Insurance renewal time - identical quotes from two well known brokers, but one insists roof must be in place and windows up when unattended. The other only requires alarm and immobiliser to be active. Seems like a no brainer...unless I've missed something.

[SPS]

Well the moral of this story is to keep your top on and you won't get sun burn

[chimyellow]

Unless it says the top can be off then be careful.
You will probably find that somewhere it says you must take reasonable precautions or some vague term somewhere.

[beancaker]

Just had a quote from Footman James which undercuts the others by more than £100. Unless I can spot the catch I'll be going with them topless or not.

[jimed]

I am with FJ and the policy says that the top has to be up when left; however when I was speaking to them about that they said that they think a convertible is called that for a reason and they were talking to the underwriters about being able to leave cars with the roof down and to speak to them later to see what has been sorted if anything. So far I've not done that - will get on with it.
You are right though re other wording in the policy as a duty of care can cover a multitude of things - wonder how the Thatcham 1 alarm which presumably works the same with the roof on or off changes that?
Jim
Later - I've asked FJ the question and they didn't mention anything about discussions but did say that the policy wording still applies. That means a duty of care and not being covered if left with roof open, keys in, etc, etc. They did say that the underwriters would probably exercise some sense and just stopping for a short time at a shop to get a paper or similar would probably be OK but a weekly shop which takes more time would not be. So no surprise there then. Ah well - pity that Hagerty don't cover the later TVRs still as they were sensible and allowed roof off parking from memory - after all a convertible is just that.

Edited by jimed on Friday 10th June 09:38

[julianc]

The specific question really needs to be asked to any prospective insurer in writing, and their (written) response incorporated into your decision making process.

I've had multiple exchanges of emails with insurance companies in the past to ensure all is crystal clear.

[gordonsalive]

Or...'Of course the roof was on!'

[Searider]

What about cars without a roof or an immobiliser?

I managed to insure my Westfield and that had neither.

Looking at some of the posts regarding immobiliser problems it would be great if it were not required.

[jimed]

I guess it is all down to the duty of care bit,so if you have a roof or immobiliser you have to use it but if the car does not have one as standard then you clearly can't use it. It is a pity that you can't select to pay what would probably be a small increase in premium to be able to leave the car with the roof off. Even then there are some places where I wouldn't want to do that.
Think the post above says it all as just because it doesn't say you have to put the roof up it doesn't mean that you don't have to.
Jim

[AutoAndy]

Good job you don't have an S....roofs never go up