Classic insurance recommendations

[JonRB]

Does anyone have any recommendations for classic insurance? Cosmic and I need to insure her 12 year-old Lotus Elan SE Turbo on a limited mileage policy with good introductory discount and we're struggling to find competative quotes at the moment.

Cheers
Jon

[judas]

Have you tried Footman James? www.footmanjames.co.uk

I've been using them for a couple of years and they're pretty cheap - about £110 a year for fully comp and unlimited mileage on a '72 MGB Roadster including European breakdown cover.

[JonRB]

Thanks for that. They've yielded the most competative quote so far - £406. Didn't even ask about NCB either, which was a bit strange.

[incorrigible]

Last classic I had was insured with Lancaster, have you tried them ?

[M@H]

A. Manning.. they don't just do TVR's you know

[CarZee]

try Classicline - the got me a decent deal with Royal Sun Alliance..

I'm sure you'll find their number on the web somewhere..

[JonRB]

Just phoned Classicline, and unfortunately RSA won't touch it if its not garaged, and their backup underwriters won't touch it if its modded.

Still, the Footman James quote seems fairly competative. I'll give A Manning a call first though.

>> Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 13th November 11:20

[alfa dave]

Thoroughly recommend Richardson Hoskin on 01277 206911. They cover my Alfa limited mileage for under £100/pa, agreed value etc. Thay have a full page ad on p71 of the latest Classic Cars mag.

edited to be spelled rite

>> Edited by alfa dave on Wednesday 13th November 11:25

[AJLintern]

Footman James insure my Porsche 944S2 for £823 on a 3000 mile limited policy - and thats with only 1 year NCB and I'm 25

[tvrgaas]

JonRB said: Didn't even ask about NCB either.

That's point with classic insurance, but they assume it's garaged and limited milage and you have another car for day to day. I use RH for the Alvis and am currently looking for classic insurance for the TVR S. Need NCD for another car

[stedale]

HIC (they advertise in PC with a pic of a mk1 cortina) are good - they will work hard to improve on your best quote.

Steve

I think this is the phone number: 01279 506090

>> Edited by stedale on Wednesday 13th November 14:13

[billb]

try Jardine Faber in northampton - used them for an mg and morgan and they were always the lowest quote and very friendly and helpful - they just do classics

not sure of number as am out of the country but look them up on the net / northampton phone book

[JonRB]

Jardine Faber came out at £400 with £250xs, whilst Footman James are still ahead with £406 with £150xs and European Breakdown cover.

The guy at Jardine Faber did say he was surprised it was "so much" and even more surprised when I told him his quote was still competative.

A Manning couldn't quote me as they wouldn't mirror one of our existing NCBs and wouldn't give an introductory discount as I have had a fault claim in the past 3 years (which came to about £1000 FFS!)

>> Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 13th November 16:26

[JonRB]

Funny, just phoned Jardine Faber back to clarify the mileage, and he told me that he was just about to phone me back to say that his manager has given him some discretion on the price.

£400 with £100xs, agreed value policy limited to 6000 miles.

So, final question, of the recommendations people have given, who has actually made a claim through their recommended insurer? That would probably be the clincher for me between Footman James and Jardine Faber.

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations, by the way - much appreciated. What a great place PistonHeads is.

[First and Last]

JonRB,

Try giving Bruce Casey at A&G Casey a try 01787 247417 tell him I sent you - he runs a Classic scheme underwritten by Cornhill. The guy who restored my Morgan put me onto him following a superb claims service he had personally had with his daughter's car (Rebuilt MG Midget).

Key items for me are;
High (over £20,000) Agreed Value.
Retained Salvage Rights - v. important for me as ALL Morgans can be rebuilt.
No additional premium for the 'modest' upgraded cam and upgraded suspension.
Limited Mileage.
£100 Policy Excess.

Good Luck

[JonRB]

First and Last said:Try giving Bruce Casey at A&G Casey a try 01787 247417 tell him I sent you

Cheers. Can you email me via my profile, or else enable the "Email me" option in your profile, to let me know your real name please? I can't really say "a guy who posts as 'First and Last' on PistonHeads sent me"!

[Simonelite501]

JonRB,
Firstly, join Club Lotus, it'll cost you £25.00, then ring Footman James and enquire about the Club Lotus insurance policy, its unlimited milage fully comp for very little dosh! I'll Email you the Club Details.
It was good to meet you at BT&P by the way.

[First and Last]

JohnRB,

Good Point !

Andy Downes sent you.

Have Fun

[JonRB]

Thanks Simon. We joined today, incidentally.

I'm unsure whether Footman James quoted for the Club Lotus policy or not. I've talked to so many insurers today. One said they'd give me the Club Lotus policy because the previous owner had been a member and we were planning on becoming members ourselves. I have a sneaking suspicion that it was Footman James, but I will phone them and confirm tomorrow.

Another quoted us on the understanding that we became members of Club Lotus. Again, not sure who. I should keep far better notes when I phone, I guess!

Andy - thanks for that, I'll give 'em a call tomorrow.

[JonRB]

Well I have a bit of a dilemma now.

Footman James (Club Lotus) can't improve on their quote of £406 with £150 excess and its a maximum of 4500 miles. Seems they were already quoting me the Club Lotus rate.

Jardine Faber are £400 with £100 excess and 6000 miles.

Both policies are agreed value subject to valuation, and FJ throw in breakdown cover but I'm already a full member of the RAC due to my other cars so this isn't a big incentive to be honest.

Decisions, decisions, eh?