Kit Build Insurance advice - a problem

[V8 Vum]

First - can I apologise if this is the wrong site, but there appears to be no specific other... so I hope someone can help!
If you know of a better site Mr Moderator, then please let me know!

I am the later stages of building up my Kit-car and felt it prudent to seek (again) insurance cover. The car is obviously unregistered and untested (IVA). I used to get cover from Hagerty, but they refused to renew two years ago saying that their policy had changed even though I had never made a claim.

After a lot of searches on the net, I noticed that the 'so-called' specialist companies (not any more it seems) do purport or allude that Build-up insurance is what they offer, but you soon find after talking with them that this is a 'marketing front' and it actually no longer exists!
The only option it seems is what they call 'laid-up' cover which is certainly not ideal or comprehensive enough!

Other companies seem only to be interested in covering 'Registered' cars which is pretty useless.

And so, I find that if you purchase 'laid-up' cover, you pay your money and you cannot cancel/get a rebate at any time. So, if you think you might be getting your car IVA'd and on the road say in 6 months, then you LOSE the other 6 months even if you want to convert to road cover, which is not good!

If you want to trailer the car to IVA then you have to pay for road cover it seems, but the rub is that if the car 'fails' (which seems to be frequent as the IVA test is very stringent), then unless you can re-book within 14 days (unlikely), you lose the ability to have cover on its chassis number...so you are stuffed!

All very frustrating.... No wonder I hate the insurance industry!

Anyone know of a decent insurance cover/company that is reasonable and in the 'real' world?

cheers

keith

[R1 Indy]

Ive got a laid up kitcar policy with footman james.

It covers, fire/theft whilst garaged at home, damage in transit (aslong as the wheels are off the ground),also fire/theft while in the pit lane of a race track. And public liability (not quite sure what that actually includes?)

And cost 80 quid for a year. valued at 8K

Not sure if you can cancel halfway though.

But worth it for piece of mind.

[mmm-five]

Can you not add it as a named item onto your household contents insurance policy?

It's what my dad does for his shed full of motorbike spares that he uses for rebuilding bikes - and until the bike is registered & MOT'd it's classed as 'bike parts'.

[RemaL]

may get more help here?

http://pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/forum.asp?h=0&amp...

[Clivew]

Hi Keith,
Give Heritage Insurance a call. In my opinion the best in the business. 0121 246 6063.
(Phone them rather than email)

[Arthur Jackson]

I used these people: http://www.msminsurance.co.uk/kitandspecialistcars...

[CorseChris]

Another vote for MSM. They did my build cover no trouble.

[downsman]

I tried phoning a lot of companies about build cover. Footman James came up with the best price, but the policy couldn't be cancelled or upgraded so you lose 6 months and have to open a new policy when it is about to registered.

Adrian Flux sold me a policy that they said would be possible to upgrade to comprehensive. It was more expensive than FJ, but I went for it because it seemed cheaper once on the road. When I was about to IVA the car, suddenly it wasn't possible to upgrade and I was told (on several occasions) that I'd have to open a new policy

So beware, and if possible get whatever is said in writing! I went back to FJ for my current policy, and so far I am pleased with their service. I wasted over £100 with Adrian Flux and won't be dealing with them again.

[Clivew]

Keith, what type/model of kit are you building? Perhaps there is club for your particular type of car where you can ask for recommendations. Also some clubs have an arrangement with certain insurance companies where they offer a discount for members.