Insurance won't cover a hardtop!

[devnull]

Anyone ever had this? Thought of getting one for the winter months and reduced interior noise as I take my '5 on the motorway a lot. Rang insurers, said they wouldn't cover me if I added hardtop, factory original and all.


That's a new one on me. Anyone else had it?

[Oldandslow]

Sounds crazy to me. They were sold with hards tops as standard at one point and every UK car had the fixings.

Which insurer?

[MX-5 Lazza]

That does sound crazy. I can understand it putting the price up a bit (they are quite steal-able) but that's all.
I take it you are not 18 with no ncb...

[devnull]

No indeed, i'm an old git with plenty of NCB. For the sake of forum rules, the insurers take after a certain wood chopping tool or weapon

I would vote with my feet and go somewhere else, but seeing as the '5 is a second car, they mirror my NCB from my main vehicle so i get a hefty discount, plus business cover (which I do need due to work).

It's not the end of the world, but it is a very odd decision. I'm sure LoonR1 would retort with 'the insurers will decide what they will and won't want to cover' and he'd be right, but it's an odd policy!

[Munter]

I never thought to tell my insurer when I had one.....oops

[wilbo83]

Surely they were a factory option, you wouldn't have to declare other factory fitted upgraded options

[New POD]

Given your decent NCB, how much would it cost you to find a new insurer and cancel, and how much would they lose.

Suggest a recorded letter to CEO of axia ? explaining why you moved.

Over at MX5 nutz hard tops and insurance have been discussed quite a bit. It counts as a mod usually, as in most cases it was a dealer fit accessory, and makes more reason to steal the car, (but makes it a bit more difficult.

In most cases it does not add any cost, but it won't reduce it. unless mid term.

Also check that it's insured when stored and not in use.

[devnull]

New POD said:

Given your decent NCB, how much would it cost you to find a new insurer and cancel, and how much would they lose.

Suggest a recorded letter to CEO of axia ? explaining why you moved.

Over at MX5 nutz hard tops and insurance have been discussed quite a bit. It counts as a mod usually, as in most cases it was a dealer fit accessory, and makes more reason to steal the car, (but makes it a bit more difficult.

In most cases it does not add any cost, but it won't reduce it. unless mid term.

Also check that it's insured when stored and not in use.

I'm not that desperate for a hardtop, more suprised it wasn't covered fullstop. My NCD is 9 years, but as the '5 is a second car, I was getting quotes of around £1500 - wood chopping ins co were kind enough to mirror my NCD i decided to stay.

[New POD]

Wifey's Mx5 is just a 90 bhp poverty spec 1.6 mk1, and costs £210 on a classic policy.

Previous owner sold the dealer supplied hardtop as they had never used it and had nowhere apart from lounge to store it.

[vescaegg]

OP you will regret a hardtop the minute you want to go out on a cool, crisp, clear winters morning and cant put the bloody roof down with the heaters on full!

Arguably the best type of top down driving

[MX-5 Lazza]

vescaegg said:

OP you will regret a hardtop the minute you want to go out on a cool, crisp, clear winters morning and cant put the bloody roof down with the heaters on full!

Arguably the best type of top down driving

Agree 100%! I much prefer a cold clear winters day, top-down, 0C, hat, gloves & coat, heater on full - to a hot mid-summer day. Even better at night!

[NRS]

MX-5 Lazza said:

vescaegg said:

OP you will regret a hardtop the minute you want to go out on a cool, crisp, clear winters morning and cant put the bloody roof down with the heaters on full!

Arguably the best type of top down driving

Agree 100%! I much prefer a cold clear winters day, top-down, 0C, hat, gloves & coat, heater on full - to a hot mid-summer day. Even better at night!

Main problem is potential damage to the roof when lowering the roof and it's a bit cold. Which means if you have a hard top and someone to help remove it then can be better. Reminds me that I need to find a girlfriend before winter to be able to help with this! Last one was happy down to -10C being out in it. Might only be 1 1/2 months until snow starts properly here so not too long to look!

[MX-5 Lazza]

NRS said:

Main problem is potential damage to the roof when lowering the roof and it's a bit cold.

Nah, just leave the top up until the heater is blowing hot and has softened the top a bit then drop it. Alternatively, fit a fabric/mohair hood which are fine in cold conditions and is probably cheaper than a hard-top.

[LocoCoco]

NRS said:

Main problem is potential damage to the roof when lowering the roof and it's a bit cold. Which means if you have a hard top and someone to help remove it then can be better. Reminds me that I need to find a girlfriend before winter to be able to help with this! Last one was happy down to -10C being out in it. Might only be 1 1/2 months until snow starts properly here so not too long to look!

This is why I own a hard-top, tried to lower the hood on a snowy day and all the stitches which held the rear screen on ripped apart, expensive mistake which won't happen again.

It never even occured to me to declare the thing to my insurers either.

[vescaegg]

Heater needs to be well underway and blasting out before the roof is removed. It warms up and becomes supple enough to take down after about 5-10minutes.

Love the bloody heaters in the mx5. They can actually get painfully hot!