Discussion
I have finally taken the plunge and bought an S2. Phoning the TVR clubs "Endorsed Insurers" MANNINGS, I was told that as I had not driven a 2933 cc car before they could not and would not offer me insurance.I explained that I have held a clean driving licence for almost 50 years (age was not a problem) I have owned BMW's and Mercedes, 325i and 220i, driven Formula Junior at Brands and rallied in various cars for years. But all to no avail. Why the TVR club endorse them I am not quite sure and sympathise with anyone wanting a TVR but are having an insurance problem.Anyway, the TVR is a "third" car so I phoned Footman James who insure my classic and they were only too happy to quote and the quote is in fact cheaper than that for my Honda sports coupe which is my daily car, albeit the TVR on 3000 miles limited annualy.If you too may be having a problem, try them and you may be surprised.
John, this is not uncommon - Most insurance Co's don't like insuring first time TVR owners. I had this experience last year, the one thing that helped me was that I've had a heavily modified MGB for many years with no claims - This seemed to swing my first years TVR premuim a bit.
The reason that the first year may seem expensive insurance wise is that the value of a lot of the cars have dropped and with the cars now being cheaper, some are falling into the wrong hands - I.E. drivers who've not had much or any RWD experience. This tends to then lead to many "one car" accident claims, "Oh, the tree came out from nowhere" etc, so the insurers have been making a heck of a loss.
Don't let this put you off though, as I'm about finished my first years accident free TVR ownership and am about to re-new with Mannings. Now that they are happy I've had a clean year with a Tiv they've halved my premium
Give them a ring next year - You might be very suprised!
Welcome to TVR ownership.
Cheers,
Dave.
>> Edited by Dave_H on Sunday 11th August 20:43
The reason that the first year may seem expensive insurance wise is that the value of a lot of the cars have dropped and with the cars now being cheaper, some are falling into the wrong hands - I.E. drivers who've not had much or any RWD experience. This tends to then lead to many "one car" accident claims, "Oh, the tree came out from nowhere" etc, so the insurers have been making a heck of a loss.
Don't let this put you off though, as I'm about finished my first years accident free TVR ownership and am about to re-new with Mannings. Now that they are happy I've had a clean year with a Tiv they've halved my premium
Give them a ring next year - You might be very suprised!
Welcome to TVR ownership.
Cheers,
Dave.
>> Edited by Dave_H on Sunday 11th August 20:43
Dave,
Appreciate your comments.
I read back through the Archives on the subject of insurance and there does seem to be a great amount of inconsistency especially when you look at peoples ages and what they pay, even with Mannings. I'm not unhappy with the quote I have, £293 for fully comp. limited 3000 miles etc. if I get it any cheaper next year then its a bonus.
Looking forward to joining the TVR fraternity.
Thanks
John
Appreciate your comments.
I read back through the Archives on the subject of insurance and there does seem to be a great amount of inconsistency especially when you look at peoples ages and what they pay, even with Mannings. I'm not unhappy with the quote I have, £293 for fully comp. limited 3000 miles etc. if I get it any cheaper next year then its a bonus.
Looking forward to joining the TVR fraternity.
Thanks
John
JohnMac. I'm 57 and have bought my first TVR this year, like you an S2. I have a clean record and max NCD but Mannings wouldn't touch me. Because I've not driven a 3 litre sports car for 5 years!! But Sunninghill Brokers were happy to. They advertise in Sprint. Fully comp. unlimited mileage, about £280 p.a. That's just £30 more than my Saga insured road car (a Rover). They have been very helpful over any queries and I recommend them. Let us all know how you get on.
Roger Brown
Roger Brown
Hi John Mac, i had the same (crap) response from Mannings, who were not interested in even hearing my age or what type of TVR i was trying to insure (ie an S2 or a Tuscan monster....bit of a difference), so got onto Classicline, who are backed by Royal Sun & Alliance. They gave me full comp 5000miles limit for £310 and i'm 35, and that includes legal cover and breakdown recovery.
Even if the S wasn't my only car I would clock over 10,000 miles a year in it.
I just wouldn't be able to help myself !
I just think they are there to be driven. I admit I do not have any incumberences such as kids, cats or birds (in either sense) and therefor it makes it easier but even so...3000 miles a year !!!
I just wouldn't be able to help myself !
I just think they are there to be driven. I admit I do not have any incumberences such as kids, cats or birds (in either sense) and therefor it makes it easier but even so...3000 miles a year !!!
Insurance
Much the same story here.....Mannings wouldn't touch me, but FJ insured me no probs. £350 fully comp, limited to 4.5k pa, I'm 30 with zero NCD and this is my first proper car, so I'm quite happy.
:middledigittomannings:
Mileage
Uhm....I hate limited mileage policies, bit like Big Brother telling you not to play with your toys. Using my car loads and fast approaching the limit -figured I'd just shell out another £350 when that time arrives and get a new policy
Much the same story here.....Mannings wouldn't touch me, but FJ insured me no probs. £350 fully comp, limited to 4.5k pa, I'm 30 with zero NCD and this is my first proper car, so I'm quite happy.
:middledigittomannings:
Mileage
Uhm....I hate limited mileage policies, bit like Big Brother telling you not to play with your toys. Using my car loads and fast approaching the limit -figured I'd just shell out another £350 when that time arrives and get a new policy
In defence of Mannings.. I have no problems with them: 26 yrs old (then), first TVR.. They asked me if I had experience of "sportscars" when I got a quote and were happy when I told them I'd just sold my Porsche 914.. no other questions asked.. £250 for 3000 pa..
Johno.. you just need more cars.. you know it makes sense 
Cheers
Matt.
Johno.. you just need more cars.. you know it makes sense
Cheers
Matt.
You lot are obviously not Londoners.
Even with 2 years TVR ownership and 7 yrs no claims my insurance is still just under 1000. And thats after calling every company under the sun. Perhaps living in London and parking in the street isn't the best for the premiums (although it is a second car and I'm 31 with no points). Any other Londoners have problems? I wonder who wins the highest premium competition?
Even with 2 years TVR ownership and 7 yrs no claims my insurance is still just under 1000. And thats after calling every company under the sun. Perhaps living in London and parking in the street isn't the best for the premiums (although it is a second car and I'm 31 with no points). Any other Londoners have problems? I wonder who wins the highest premium competition?
Thanks for all of your comments,it does seem that to shop around is the answer as premiums quoted do seem to be inconsistent. I agree that the 3000 mile limit on the policy may not have been the best idea, but as they say it seemed "a good idea at the time" to get insurance going. I'm told that if I exceed 3000 miles then the premium would be adjusted - I wonder by how much !! I've got a couple of other cars (not boasting)therefore I need to share the mileage around, one car unfortunatly must go - my Dellow, its on Pistonheads if interested, beat a TVR any day up a muddy, rock strewn hill( and retain the exhaust at the end !!)
I mentioned in another topic the bonnet insulation sagging, last night I applied Industrial Spray adhesive, put some blankets under the bonnet and some thick sponges to create the necessary pressure points-hey presto this morning - stuck solid. Mind you as I haven't been out yet it could all melt with the bonnet heat and I'm back to square one - keep you posted
John Mac
I mentioned in another topic the bonnet insulation sagging, last night I applied Industrial Spray adhesive, put some blankets under the bonnet and some thick sponges to create the necessary pressure points-hey presto this morning - stuck solid. Mind you as I haven't been out yet it could all melt with the bonnet heat and I'm back to square one - keep you posted
John Mac
I also live in greater London and have been told in the past by some insurance companies that I live in a high risk post code (HARROW) area? Any excuse to quote ridiculous premiums.
This is my first TVR and my first call was to Adrian Flux which resulted in a quote in excess of £700 (3000 miles) even though the car has an immobilisor/recognised alarm and is under lock and key over night.
A few more calls resulted in me going with ClassicLine, 3000 miles, breakdown, legal etc. £304 fully comp ( 2nd car, full NCB, no points, 39 years old) Would have been about another 100 quid for 5k miles, so I can top up if necessary.
I'm well chuffed considering the car's performance!
and going by premiums quoted for 'normal' cars.
(quote)
You lot are obviously not Londoners.
Even with 2 years TVR ownership and 7 yrs no claims my insurance is still just under 1000. And thats after calling every company under the sun. Perhaps living in London and parking in the street isn't the best for the premiums (although it is a second car and I'm 31 with no points). Any other Londoners have problems? I wonder who wins the highest premium competition?
This is my first TVR and my first call was to Adrian Flux which resulted in a quote in excess of £700 (3000 miles) even though the car has an immobilisor/recognised alarm and is under lock and key over night.
A few more calls resulted in me going with ClassicLine, 3000 miles, breakdown, legal etc. £304 fully comp ( 2nd car, full NCB, no points, 39 years old) Would have been about another 100 quid for 5k miles, so I can top up if necessary.
I'm well chuffed considering the car's performance!
and going by premiums quoted for 'normal' cars. (quote)
You lot are obviously not Londoners.
Even with 2 years TVR ownership and 7 yrs no claims my insurance is still just under 1000. And thats after calling every company under the sun. Perhaps living in London and parking in the street isn't the best for the premiums (although it is a second car and I'm 31 with no points). Any other Londoners have problems? I wonder who wins the highest premium competition?
I believe its a well known fact that if you live in London and especially if you are off street parking you sadly pay a loaded premium. I live in Plymouth and my postcode is supposed to be a "low risk" one but I don't believe it really makes a lot of difference when you arrange premiums through a "broker" as most of us do. The S2 that I have just bought has an alarm fitted that is Thatcham conformity, the previous owner told me that his insurers insisted on this and he had in fact to have the system uprated to satisfy them (Classic Line), when I was seeking quotes from others they said the alarm made no difference to the premium - funny old world !!
>> Edited by John Mac on Thursday 15th August 09:34
>> Edited by John Mac on Thursday 15th August 09:34
quote:
The S2 that I have just bought has an alarm fitted that is Thatcham conformity, the previous owner told me that his insurers insisted on this and he had in fact to have the system uprated to satisfy them (Classic Line), when I was seeking quotes from others they said the alarm made no difference to the premium - funny old world !!
I think it's the immobiliser that's the key for the insurance companies. From my experience, most companies won't touch an S without a Thatham approved immobiliser fitted. The alarm's just a nice extra!
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