Insurance renewal shocker!
Discussion
I got my insurance renewal through the other day and got a bit of a shock!
I am with Admiral as they were my current insurer when I changed my Warrior for the Elise. I was paying around £850 and I think they took £30 off me to adjust the premium.
I have been quoted £1200 by Admiral.
I did what any sensible Lotus owner would and got on t'internet and had a look at Footman James. I got a web quote of £806.60.
This morning I had a text message saying to ring them as they may be able to reduce it further. As there was no check box for Club Lotus, I thought it's worth ringing them to make sure that it is taken into consideration.
He told me that he could do it on a classic car policy which reduced it to around the £400 mark!
The only problem is I would not earn any no claims and lose my current entitlement after two years.
Has anyone else come accross being able to insure an Elise as a classic car?
Also what constitutes a classic car? I don't know whether the fact it is an S1 and therfore no longer a production model counts, and we all agree that Elises are a bit special (except possibly one or two contributers to "Is the VX220 T better than the 111R?")
I am with Admiral as they were my current insurer when I changed my Warrior for the Elise. I was paying around £850 and I think they took £30 off me to adjust the premium.
I have been quoted £1200 by Admiral.
I did what any sensible Lotus owner would and got on t'internet and had a look at Footman James. I got a web quote of £806.60.
This morning I had a text message saying to ring them as they may be able to reduce it further. As there was no check box for Club Lotus, I thought it's worth ringing them to make sure that it is taken into consideration.
He told me that he could do it on a classic car policy which reduced it to around the £400 mark!
The only problem is I would not earn any no claims and lose my current entitlement after two years.
Has anyone else come accross being able to insure an Elise as a classic car?
Also what constitutes a classic car? I don't know whether the fact it is an S1 and therfore no longer a production model counts, and we all agree that Elises are a bit special (except possibly one or two contributers to "Is the VX220 T better than the 111R?")
When I changed the Noble to the ExigeS last March I was insured with Groupama via Motor Direct in Witney. Groupama told me at the time that they were still happy to allow track dyas for a small additional premium. Annual premium £750ish
When I asked for cover for my first trackday in June Groupama then said they had reviewed their policies and now refused cover!!
I therefore looked for a new company who allowed track days and came across AON
When starting for the quote the girl asked if it was my daily drive and I said no, she then went on to quote for a Classic car policy, limit 5000 miles and had to be garaged every night. 5 free track days, provided I could prove track experience. Cost £870!
I asked her to cost for me if it was just a regular policy, no mileage restriction, no garage restriction, still 5 trackdays, difference was on this one she took account of full no claims bonus and also Lotus Club membership. Cost £433
Guess which one I went for.
When I asked for cover for my first trackday in June Groupama then said they had reviewed their policies and now refused cover!!
I therefore looked for a new company who allowed track days and came across AON
When starting for the quote the girl asked if it was my daily drive and I said no, she then went on to quote for a Classic car policy, limit 5000 miles and had to be garaged every night. 5 free track days, provided I could prove track experience. Cost £870!
I asked her to cost for me if it was just a regular policy, no mileage restriction, no garage restriction, still 5 trackdays, difference was on this one she took account of full no claims bonus and also Lotus Club membership. Cost £433
Guess which one I went for.
I got my renewal from Adrian Flux for £498, Phoned autotorque and got a quote for £333 on a classic policy, then I phoned Flux back and told them of my better quote and they immediatley price matched it with £330!!! No mileage limitation- social domestic and commuting- protected bonus,inc wife as named driver.
Very happy.
Dunx.
Oh yes forgot to mention, autotorque have some trackday cover deal included.
Very happy.
Dunx.
Oh yes forgot to mention, autotorque have some trackday cover deal included.
Edited by dunxS1 on Thursday 16th August 10:01
went through MCE for my 111R couple of days ago. Initially they quoted £889. As a dual national Australian / Brit, I made sure I told the guy this, that I had only lived in the UK since Jan 2006, had an SP30, and held a full UK licence since Aug 2006. Also told them full Australian licence since 1987 (I am 38 y.o). Told them I had almost no no claim bonus history since I have been working around the world for the last 11 years and always been supplied with a company car. ie - full disclosure plus some...
shock - get home the night before my 111R is to be delivered to a voice mail saying that the policy was suspended due to anomolies. On the phone quick smart
, complain like hell 
and another £373 later I had the policy sorted out. Total outlay £1,262 plus aggro
. The guy who sorted me out (Chris) was excellent and vet apologetic for the goofs of his colleague.
Lesson learned - if you use MCE, make sure that you ask for the ELITE division. The guys here know their stuff.
Any other expats out there with advice how to get a lower price? Kind of blows that I have to pay a bunch for $$$ just because I have not lived here for very long. Even if I could document the driving history, etc they said the premium would still be the same.
shock - get home the night before my 111R is to be delivered to a voice mail saying that the policy was suspended due to anomolies. On the phone quick smart
, complain like hell and another £373 later I had the policy sorted out. Total outlay £1,262 plus aggro. The guy who sorted me out (Chris) was excellent and vet apologetic for the goofs of his colleague. Lesson learned - if you use MCE, make sure that you ask for the ELITE division. The guys here know their stuff.
Any other expats out there with advice how to get a lower price? Kind of blows that I have to pay a bunch for $$$ just because I have not lived here for very long. Even if I could document the driving history, etc they said the premium would still be the same.
Try Kwickfit ! they insured me (51 years old) with 6000 miles pa, legal protection a new policy with zero no claims, car in a garage overnight £330.00, sine then i have added my partner (which made it cheaper!!)and upped the mileage to 12k, they couldn't have been more helpful, and you dont speak to a person thousands of miles away, just Glasgow. I can't fault them.
Porlock said:
Try Kwickfit ! they insured me (51 years old) with 6000 miles pa, legal protection a new policy with zero no claims, car in a garage overnight £330.00, sine then i have added my partner (which made it cheaper!!)and upped the mileage to 12k, they couldn't have been more helpful, and you dont speak to a person thousands of miles away, just Glasgow. I can't fault them.
I don't speak Glaswegian! 
Seriously though, Cheers for your response.
The age thing is a good point though.
I am 28. What have people of a similar age had?
Edited by ganglandboss on Wednesday 15th August 23:22
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