Conference terri::cars_uk

    re .0
    
    Background
    
    CAR : Vauxhall Calibra 2.0i 16V
    VALUE: 11K
    COVER: Fully comp
    
    Driver age 27
    Driver only policy
    50% NCB
    Social domestic pleasure and business use
    No outstanding claims
    3 points (overtaking on double white line 2 years ago)
    
    Current insurance premium �1740-00 from GRE. Guess who will be shopping
    around in March 1993. I've never been hated this much before. Not by
    anyone, but it seems that all insurance companies would rather see me
    broke.
    
    Clive

    re .1
    
    Only claims on insurance were by me against other parties. No one has
    yet claimed off my insurance. Ever.
    
    Clive

    
    Blimey!!!! I could have an Escort Cosworth for that! :^)
    
    Mark

    � advising that I'll be off on holiday to Florida soon, with the
    � money I saved by not giving them my business.
    
    You'd better take out some pretty good insurance before you go!  
    
    Ian.

    I read that Ford are equipping all their UK destined Escort Cossies
    with a secondary VECTA alarm system to augment the factory fitted Ford
    item in an effort to make insurance premiums less and allow their
    customers to hang onto their cars a bit longer.  The system costs around
    400 squid fitted and some insurance companies will not ensure performance
    cars unless a VECTA is fitted.
    
    Gary.

Can you describe VECTA? Is it like the new French VOLBACK system, where
a transponder hidden in the car is interogated by roadside units once the
car is reported stolen?

BTW, UK insurance companies are way out ofline with Europe - to insure
an Elan with full Green Card in the UK would have cost me �2100/yr. I have
exactly the same cover from a French company for �700/yr.

Cheers,

Graham.

Re .1

Well, I've just re-insured my car (a Porsche 911 Turbo - value around �65K) 
with ... Norwich Union!  I'm 25 with 6 years NCB, no convictions (!!!) - 
�1702 with protected NCB, �250 excess and interest-free payments over eight 
months.  BTW, I have only the standard fit alarm on my car - no Vecta 
(yet).

Re .-1; the Vecta is a simple (!) immobiliser; it hooks into your engine 
management unit and stops the car being started.  In tests it seems to be 
the one that can't be got around.  NU are insisting that it be fitted to 
all 'high performance' cars before they insure them ... apparently, this 
applies to Golf GTi etc etc, but Ferraris, Porsches etc are exempt!  And 
who said insurance companies work in mysterious ways....?!


Dave the reasonably-happy-with-his-premium-all-things-considered

    Imagine my surprise when on Friday I rang for a quotation on an Orion
    1600E, G Plate and was quoted �2462.00.
    
    I'm 24, Clean licence and no accidents in the last 3 years, only 1 in 7
    years of driving.
    
    Anyone like to buy an Orion?
    
    Chris :-(

It would be interesting to see what postcodes ie. RG1 etc.. are associated
with these quotes.

I personally was quoted silly money this year,  however I contacted a broker
near Nottingham (quoting Reading address) and got a much cheaper quote
and policy ;-)

Methinks most of us are being ripped off this year,  the insurance companies
are trying to recover losses far too fast >-(

_Richard

    
    Re .9
    
    You have a point. I rang GM Insurance when I got the Calibra (figuring
    they'd be cheap as they want you to buy their cars...WRONG!) and had
    the quote doubled because she thought I'd said G12 instead of GU12!!!
    
    Mark

    Background
    
    CAR : Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8 MK1
    VALUE: 2K
    COVER: Third party, fire and theft
    
    Driver age 22
    Driver only policy
    50% NCB
    Social domestic pleasure and business use
    No outstanding claims
    
    Lastweek's insurance renewal premium �587 from A-Plan, with 
    Corinthian at Lloyds.  Phoned around and quotes ranged from 
    �650-�1700  (!!)   Corinthiam would only take the risk as I was a 
    good customer.

    Still a lot of money, about 2/3 of this was expected based on last 
    year's premium.  Just as well that the car is running well and the 
    later, MK II Golf GTI which I drove recently felt like a slow, poor     
    handling giant.

    Rob.

p.s. Anyone brave enough for a Corrado 2.9 VR6 quote?

To give a view across Europe, here's a Swiss quote:

    Background
    
    CAR : Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8 MK11
    VALUE: 2.5K
    COVER: Third party, fire and theft, plus accidental damage (hailstones,
	   vandalism etc)
    
    Driver age 33
    Any driver (my sister in law is roaming around France in it next week)
    55% NCB (7 years)
    Social domestic pleasure and business use
    No outstanding claims
    
    SFr 850 = �350
    (Fully comp. would cost about �150 more)

RE: -.1
   >> Just as well that the car is running well and the 
   >> later, MK II Golf GTI which I drove recently felt like a slow, poor     
   >> handling giant.

Ha! Slow, yes - but ill handling? :-) :-)

Steve

   >> p.s. Anyone brave enough for a Corrado 2.9 VR6 quote?

    Suprisingly enough the 3rd party price would be identical to the 8V!

    Well, just to p*ss you all off - the insurance on my Golf GTi actually 
    went down this year !
    
    I couldn't believe it either, as I had heard all these horror stories
    about insurance on this type of car. I did check with the brokers who 
    said that the quote had come directly from the insurance company and so
    MUST be correct. I didn't argue, but I can't help feeling that
    something has gone awry.
    
    We were already at full NCB, with no accidents and both over 30, we
    hadn't moved, the car is still under 3 years old and I checked that
    they had the right car - so I can't see that there are any reasons 
    why the insurance should go down, but it did !
    
    Last year �404, this year �346 !
    
    Terry the Smug
    

    I left GRE a couple of years ago, after many years because their
    premiums became ridiculous when compared to the competition. I suspoect
    the time has come when it pays to shop around each and every renewal.
    
    I took the Frogeye off the road this summer because St Katherines,
    previously the cheapest (with a 1 year green card, fully comp) wantes
    �1240. I only do 3000 miles a year, MAX.
    
    Laurie.

    
    Re .13
    
    You've probably reached another of the age breaks Terry.
    
    Funny, you don't LOOK 50! :^)
    
    Re .14
    
    Horrific!!! Funnily enough, like Terry's Golf, the insurance on my
    Marcos dropped this year. For the last 3 years it had crept steadily
    up, but it dropped back below the �100 mark again this year - A small
    consolation for the other costs its incurred me this year...
    
    Mark
    

    Car : Triumph Spitfire 1500
    Year : 1976
    Value : 1400
    Age : 21
    NCB : none
    License : 3.5 years old and clean
    Insurance : TPF&T (Guaranteed return)
    
    Quote : 280 quid.
    
    I got quoted 500+ by ALL the normal insurance companies around (that
    was if they would insure me) !!
    
    I got this insurance through Footman and James who have a deal with the
    Triumph Sports Six Club............the morale of the insurance is if
    there is a club for your car, see if they do an insurance deal.
    
    Barry
    
    

    
    The June issue of What Crap carries a story about the new insurance
    groups. They suggest that most insurance companies have decided to
    "load" the hot hatch/sports models by adding 10 to the insurance group
    instead of doubling it. The net result being that these "tnb" cars are
    now in groups 15/16 along with more exotic cars (Porsche etc).
    
    Richard.

Anyone has any experience of third party insurance only? Is it much cheaper?

 My car is only worth  #400 (my value not the insurance companies), so if it is 
stolen I will be lucky to get half that and I have a one hundred pound excess. 
If I was to claim for it being stolen it would cost me more in increased premiums,
excess and loss of no claims, than the insurance was originally

Gordon.

    RE: .18
    
    Gordon,
    
    TPFT cover is usually about 1/2 the cost of fully comp insurance.
    
    If I were you, I'd take TPFT cover in this instance.
    
    J.
    
    

    In One year, the third party fire and theft premium on my
    Land Rover has gone from 48 pounds to 130 pounds.
    
    Is this in keeping with inflation??
    
    Surely there must be some consumer protection body who
    polices this sort of thing.?
    
    Robin.

    Hmm... who are you with? thats even cheaper then mine.
    
    Simon

>>    instead of doubling it. The net result being that these "tnb" cars are
>>    now in groups 15/16 along with more exotic cars (Porsche etc).
    
    Well I wish someone would tell my insurers that Porsches are only in
    group 15/16.  They currently class it as a group 20 !!
    
    
    Shaun.  
    

    
    People who buy Porsches should be happy to be in group 20, If they can
    afford one they can afford the insurance.
    

    Hear Hear !!
    
    Barry
    

    ... but here its anyway.
    
    An American chum of mine working in the UK (living & working in London
    to be exact) has a Porsche 944 Turbo S2. He is insured with an American
    company (though they have offices in London) who do a special deal for
    ex US military personnel. His insurance premium this year is less than
    $300 ($290somethingorother)... ungaraged in London, etc.
    
    Also, a couple of years back he received a check for �20something 'cos
    his insurance company have this thing whereby if they exceed a certain
    profit margin then the company pays out dividends to all of their
    customers. When's the last time you heard a British insurance company
    paying out moeny to the punters for no reason?
    
    Reargards,
    
    
    Stephen 'paying �346 for a D reg Peugeot 205 GT'  

�                  MANWRK::LEACH
    
    Hey, this Man is At Work !!!
    
    J.R.

    re:25
    
    The CIS have a similar scheme, i.e. they will reduce your premium for
    the renewal. This is probably because as a Co-operative, dividends are
    partly returned to the customers.
    
    Mind you, I doubt that they're making enough money these days to do that
    !
    
    Colin

    >>        -< How're you all doing ?  Onto the child-seat topic ? >-
    
    No, but I've put a 'Baby on board' sticker in the back of the Porsche
    ;^)
    
    
    Shaun.
    
    

    The Telegraph this morning reports that Ford are to cease production of
    the Sierra Cosworth. Its popularity with car theives and joy riders
    has made it virtually impossible to insure.
    
    Joe. 

    
    So what kind of lifespan does that give the Escort Cosworth?
    
    Mark

    
    5km, if a Brussels Salesman is to be believed ....

    I thought the main reason for halting production of the Sapphire Cossie was
    to allow it's natural successor - the Escort Cossie to take over.  The
    Sierra is being replaced by a newer model soon anyhow.  I'm sure
    production of the new Escort Cosworth will continue for quite some time
    yet!  After all I only saw my first on-the-road example yesterday.  It'll
    give me time to save up my coppers for one anyway :-)
    
    Gary.

Re: .-1

But are you prepared for the insurance to cost more than the car ?  ;-)

    If Ford have fitted the the VECTA alarm to augment their factory fit
    alarm, then I would hope to see a significant reduction in insuring
    said beast (ha ha,ha, fat chance I hear you shriek! :-)
    
    If Ford get their finger out though and bring out their own insurance
    schemes for all Ford cars; then insuring a Cosworth may not be the
    virtual impossiblitity that it is today.
    
    Gary.

    You could always buy your insurance elsewhere in Europe...
    
    Laurie.

    re .35
    
    >You could always buy your insurance elsewhere in Europe.
    
    That could be tricky. Here in Germany I don't think you can get
    insurance unless you're resident and have all the right bits of paper.
    
    Can anyone confirm that?
    
    What's the position in other European countries?
    
    Brian

    Has anyone in this conference tried to insure a car with a foreign
    insurance company and keep the car on the road in this country? I tried
    it with my Scimitar when I was working in France. I got a good price
    (cheaper than the insurance companies in this country even though they 
     had never heard of an SS1!) and all went well until I returned to this
    country. I could still drive the car legally but when my tax expired
    the post office refused to issue me with another tax disc as my
    insurance was with a French company. Despite my moans of EEC and all
    that and the fact that I was legally insured my only option was to 
    re-insure with an English firm (CIS in this case). 
    
    Has anyone else had this problem? I was quite happy with my French
    insurance policy as it had 1 year's green card included in the price.
    
    Barry.
    
    Current Car : Scimitar SS1 1800 turbo.
    My age : 27
    Insurance premium : �670 comp 40% NCB. with �100 excess ; RG11 post code.
       - this is nearly half the quotes from most other firms.

    Barry
    
    This may interest you, my brother is an SS1 owner sadly not an 1800 Ti,
    however he recently was quoted on such a car � 335 Fully comp, 60% NCB
    age 25, Postcode RG6 through the RSSOC insurers, namely Domel (sp?).
    
    His search for a good 1800 Ti is still on, do you know of any for sale?
    
    Regs
    Chris

    Hi Chris,
    
    I have thought about selling my SS1 several times but I can't bring
    myself to do it. I would miss the performance and the ugliness of the
    car. I must admit to having the engine tweaked a bit. I have had an
    intercooler fitted and an adjustable turbo and on monday of this week
    I found a stockist for adjustable Spax gas dampers (�58 each!) and I am
    eagerly awaiting their delivery. The same company that supplies the
    shock absorbers also sells a rear skirt at �65 that supposedly does a
    little to improve the looks of the car!
    
    I'm not sure what you mean by a "good" 1800 Ti; they all seem to leak 
    a bit around the hood and the plastics inside are usually a dodgy fit.
    The alloys oxidise easily as well.
    The mechanics tend to be bullet-proof. The nissan engine is reliable
    and the Ford gearbox and differential seem to be troublefree.
    
    I have done 36,000 miles in mine (66,000 on the clock) and the only
    problems I have had are a leaky front damper that needs replacing (hence
    the Spax) and a handbrake cable that seized up.
    
    There is an 1800 Ti advertised in today's Exchange & Mart at �5950 for
    an E reg with 33,000 miles and a hard top. Sounds reasonable.
    
    If your brother wants to chat about SS1s he can ring me at work on
    0734 201155. Could you ask him to find the number of his insurance
    company and post it in here?
    
    Cheers,
    Barry.

    
    I saved over �1000 by not getting the current car insured by GRE, but
    moving to a Belgian company. The car is insured on the chassis number,
    so I can legally drive on either the Spanish plates, or the British
    plates. Could be interesting with those camera thingies over there ...
    
    I hear Swiss insurance might be even cheaper, will let you know.

    Which Belgian company, have you got a phone number? I'm off to work in
    Brussels and my UK insurance runs out just before I go. To date the
    only company who have quoted are GRE �2000 through one agent, �1500
    through another? This is for a BMW 525, 4 years old 60% NCB, no
    claims/accidents in the last 4 years, I'm 27. Just as a comparison the
    renewal through the AA for UK insurance is �975.
    
    With the ease of moving to work in other EEC countries why can't UK
    insurance companies get their act together? 
    
    Nigel

    Nigel,
    
    I have a contact here in Brussels, who deals with the Belgian
    subsiduary of the Commercial Union. All the forms are in English, and
    they happily accept UK NCB. Given that the insurance is based on the
    HP of the car and nothing else, AND that VAT is levied on the premuim,
    I doubt it will be cheaper than the UK quotes. I'd like to have you
    prove me wrong.
    
    Laurie.

    
    I got a hyperthetical quote today from Bennets insurance.
    
    Driver: 22 years old
    Car: Peugot 205 1.9GTi
    Reg: H
    Value: 7,000
    Mileage: 25,000
    Disability/Convictions/etc...: None
    Parked off road with alarm fitted
    3 years NCB
    
    ,,,
    
    Over three thousand pounds!!
    

    Re: .43
    Tony
    
    Well for �3,000 you can buy my car and probably insure it with the 
    change :-) :-)
    
    1988 E reg Citroen BX 14E Leader 35k mileage new front tyres exhaust and 
    battery. Yours for �2750 so that leaves you �250 to insure it. (My last
    renewal was �190)
    
    Yours helpfully
    Dave

    
    Sorry, I got a lease-mobile.
    
    I was working out which was cheaper - leaseing or the take-the-cash 
    option.
    
    -Tony

    Tony 
    
    If you want a 1.9GTI I'd say its cheaper to lease in your case.
    
    You could still take the cash and buy something cheap (to insurance
    that is).
    
    A Pug 205 XL maybe. Same car shape, cheaper to run.
    
    Dave
    

    
    Na... Too boring. Driving to me is a hobby and I enjoy the quicker
    cars.
    
    -Tony (Young, inpracticle and very soon, skint)

Car:	Mercedes 260E
Year:	1990
Value:	19K
NCB:	None
Class:	Full business use with 375 total excess 
Area:	RG1 (off road)
Cover:	Fully Comprehensive

The cost was a reasonable'ish 1800 quid.

Now what I want to know is why does my Vauxhall Senator which is worth approx 3K costs 
approx 1200 quid to insure Fully Comp?

Something is very wrong here :-(

_Richard (About to ditch Senator and move to Merc)

    ...going back to VECTA immobilisers, details are available from your
    local constabulary, crime prevention office. Thames Valley Police think
    they are WONDERFUL. I believe the principle is that a section of vital
    wiring harness is removed from the car, concealed connections are made
    which are then funnelled to a computer-controlled matrix lurking
    somewhere. The 'loose ends' are then connected to the correct
    destination as long as the correct binary code key is inserted
    first-time into the dashboard...
    
    Tony, aged 40, RG3, Carlton 2.0 CDi paying the AA 330 pounds/year.

    
    Just to let you guys know that I phoned AA Insurance and they kindly
    informed me that the price of insurance is going up again at the
    beginning of October.
    
    Are insurance companies trying to price themselves out of Business ?
    
    Does anyone know, how much it is going up by this time ?
    
    Arnie
    
                                                 

RE:                     <<< Note 1871.50 by AYOV11::ATODMAN >>>
    
�    Are insurance companies trying to price themselves out of Business ?
    
    Well, in view of the fact that we are all obliged by law to have
    car insurance, I doubt this will happen.
    
    Laurie.

    
    RE: .51
    
    It may be so, that were are obliged by law to have car insurance, but
    who in there right mind will pay more for insurance than for what there
    car is worth ? It is getting that way in some cases.
    
    REMEDY :- To sell your car and find other means of transport i.e M/Bike
              Public transport etc
    
    If this happens, the insurance companies will run at a loss, hense the
    phrase I used "Are insurance companies trying to price themselves out
    of business"
    
    I don't think I am the only person to feel this way.
    
    Arnie
    
                                                        

� To sell your car and find other means of transport i.e M/Bike...

    Ahhh... here speaks a man who hasn't tried to insure a bike recently.

    
    
    I think he may have meant P/bike........ :-)....
    
    
    Alan

    
    I had a thought about this insurance lark before I went on hols. 
    Seeing as the discussions are still going strong how about this.
    
    It seems that one of the main reasons for high premiums is theft and
    the cars attractiveness to 'la voleur'.  Now seeing as we can already
    buy essentially 3 levels of insurance (TP, TPF&T & FC) why not introduce
    a fourth of FC excluding theft.  This puts the onus of security right
    in the lap of the owner.  There are dozens of ways to disable a car
    which would only take 30 seconds or so to activate when parking so
    leaving the owner with peace of mind and the insurers less to
    underwrite and should result in lower premiums.
    
    Am I being simple ? (quite probable), have I missed something ?  Can you
    already get this ?  (if so what are the differences)
    
    Nev.

�    It seems that one of the main reasons for high premiums is theft and
�    the cars attractiveness to 'la voleur'.  Now seeing as we can already
�    buy essentially 3 levels of insurance (TP, TPF&T & FC) why not introduce
�    a fourth of FC excluding theft.  This puts the onus of security right
�    in the lap of the owner.  There are dozens of ways to disable a car
�    which would only take 30 seconds or so to activate when parking so
�    leaving the owner with peace of mind and the insurers less to
�    underwrite and should result in lower premiums.
    
    Nice idea, but it would only work in putting off the casual thief.  If
    someone wanted a specific car they would very quickly get in the habbit
    of carrying HT leade, spark plugs etc. just in case.  The upshot is
    that at the end of the day, if the car goes missing can you afford to
    throw the value of the car away ?
    
    
    Shaun.
    

    �540 for Rover 827 Vitesse (Gp 16)
    
    Fully Comp
    Insured value �7000
    Protected NCB
    No Excess
    Self & Spouse
    SD&P plus Work use
    Kept off road
    Free legal cover (�1,000,000 max I think)
    Free 30 day per year AA 5*
    Free Windscreen cover
    
    
    I'm quite pleased with that, but I'll be going back to tell them I've 
    had a quote for �475, and see what they knock off.  They always knock 
    something off if you bargain with them.
    
    John

I got insured with Swinton last year for 650 quid for an Freg 205 gti 1.9
for myself +spouse both over 25 years and a clean insurance record + 50% no 
claims.

The underwriters were the National Insurance and Guarantee corp PLC
who sent my renewal direct, premium=1640!
I thought that they had missed out the no claims bonus so I phoned them up
The nice chap from NIG said "yes we have had problems this year as the car 
has gone from a group 6 ->16 and it's now 4100 pounds, so the 1640 includes
60% no claims"

I told him politely I would not be renewing my policy with them this year.

So then I phoned Swinton and they assured me that they compare last years price to the new one and if
it's increased too much they will run it through again. They will send me out
my new renewal documentation next week. They just were not as quick as NIG at
sending out the renewals...


It will not be with NIG!


Bob

    I've always found "DIRECT LINE" to be cheap and efficient, they're
    owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland.  You get a discount on your
    premuim if you are a RBS shareholder or customer.
    
    Is it worth opening an RBS account leaving 1 pound in, and theyby get
    the discount (don't know how much)
    
    Durelli

    I just called Direct-Line to see if they could better my 1000 pound
    quote. They were only able match it, BUT they dont offer credit terms,
    so you have to pay the whole amount in one go. People like Swindles who
    are acting as a broke offer payment terms. And with a qoute like mine
    you NEED payment terms.
    
    PC :-(

    I find General Accident to be very good... not the cheapest by any
    stretch of the imagination, but very efficient and fair when you need
    to make a claim. 
    
    Example:  a friend of mine had her car knocked twice in a
    Sainsbury's car park. The damage was to the front of the bonnet and
    front bumper plus the driver's door was pushed in. The someone (or two
    different someones) had cocked up parking next to my friend's car.
    
    Despite the fact the damage was obviously done in two attempts (eg
    the front off-side wing was undamaged) the GA accepted a single claim
    for all repairs; final bill of �550 and only one excess of �100 to pay
    (as opposed to �200 for two separate claims). This was all transacted
    without the provision of any witnesses' statements as well. There was
    none of the nonsense where you have to get 2/3 estimates from s
    different body repair shops either. The driver was simply asked to pick
    one of the GA appointed body repair shops.
    
    That says to me I may pay over the odds for my GA insurance, but if
    something should go wrong and I need to make a claim, it should be done
    with a minimum of hassle and time. My experience with brokers and
    cheaper premium companies tells me different.
    
    Reargards,
    
    Stephen

.62>There was
.62>none of the nonsense where you have to get 2/3 estimates from s
.62>different body repair shops either. 
    
    
    It seems to be a little known fact that one may specify which garage
    the repair must be done at and that there is actually no requirement 
    to get more than one estimate. I found this out from a leaflet printed
    by the association which governs and regulates the body repair shops 
    ( can't remember their name at the moment ).
    
    Presumably, the reason that insurance companies try to get more than
    one quote is that they don't want to be ripped off, although I have
    always thought that was the reason for insurance adjustors. GA
    obviously have some sort of agreement with the garages on their list.
    
    Terry                                       

    I,ve just insured my other car with Direct Line.
    
    The AA quoted 430 pounds for my Carlton 2.0 CDi. I said I could get it
    cheaper & suddenly the car was requoted to 380.
    
    Direct Line came in at 280 for similar cover, provided I could produce
    my NCD certificate.
    
    Would the AA give me my renewal notice ?
    
    I explained that the AA refused to issue a renewal statement, & Direct 
    Line seemed to have accepted the fact. 
    
    I didnt have any bother with claiming either.
    
    
    TJ.
    

    
    I've just acquired a new old car, and Direct Line were also the
    cheapest for me:
    
    Astra 1300L, (RG4), Fully Comp., protected NCD, 50 excess, full NCD,
    Age 29.
    
    AA (change existing policy) �450
    Halford's (with Digital discount) �250
    Direct Line �201
    
    
    Trevor

I have just got a quote for my Rover 216 GTI 5 door twin cam,
( 28 year old, 6 points ( see radar note !) no no-claims)

2068 Fully Comp
1075 TPF & T

I think I'll buy a mini !

Matt.

.66> 2068 Fully Comp
.66> 1075 TPF & T


Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah.  Sorry Matt, but it makes me feel soooo good to 
know that some out there is getting clobbered more than me.

Clive

(28yr 6 points 3 yrs NC Calibra 16v)

    Pheewww, the old points dont half make difference.
    
    
    Paul (27, full ncb, 800 quid on a Supra turo)

    
    
    Just to make you lot with the high premiums sick I thought I'd tell you
    about my wife's insurance.
    
    Lady driver, full ncb, tpft, 28yrs old on a Volvo 340 80 quid

Well it just goes to show it pays to shop around.

Comp: 666
TPF&T : 375

With 200 pound xs.

Matt.

Just got renewal notice for a 4 year old Golf GTI yesterday, and the premium has
increased 30% since last year. Insurance was with st. stephen's through the AA
last year. When I called into the AA in Newbury, they advised "unofficially" that
I look for an owner's club, and that I might do better there. (the branch
manager runs a Golf GTI).

I've looked in note 6.*, and don't see anything that fits the bill.

Anyone got any recomendations I should try to follow up? 26 year old driver, clean 
license, full NCB.

Thanks

Terry

Hi Terry,
Had a VW/Audi Car mag in my desk, so here's some numbers:

GT Insurance, Nottingham (0602) 394747 
Apex Insurance, Selby (0757) 707324

I know nothing about either.  Might be worth a couple of phone calls.
Good luck,
Robert.

    
    Well I have ended up taking the 812 pound quote from st. Stephen's 
    through the AA. It was the only sub 1000 figure that I could get
    without a 300 excess and an immobiliser fitted. The AA had mis-informed
    me that my renewal would require a vectar, but when I pressed them
    the found out that that only applied to new business. That 812 figure
    includes protected 60% NCB.
    
    For reference, the absolute cheapest quote was from GT Insurance in
    Nottingham, at 623 with a 350 excess, and requiring a 100 pound
    immobiliser to be fitted, NCB not protected.

    
       
              Has anyone in the Ayrshire region got a name for
              a good insurance broker. This will be my first time
              in getting a quote for the UK.
    
              THANKING YOU
     
              Gary...

    Halford at 0245 492949 was the cheapest for me, helped by a 30%
    discount for being a Digital employee.
    
    John              

    
    I received a letter from my insurance company saying that my policy was
    now due for renewal and that with my present insurance broker a years
    fully comprehensive cover on my G reg Nova sting (1200cc) would be 
    1900 pounds. :-0. After picking myself off the floor I read on.On my
    behalf my insurance company had looked around and the cheapest they
    could offer was 1295pounds (with another broker).Since then Eagle star
    have quoted my 913 pounds.How can this be justified? I saved myself
    around 300quid with one phone call.
    
    		Insurance sucks,there should be a monopolies investigation.
    
    	Andy..happy-that-he-shopped-around.

    
    I've recently had the same experience with my brokers.  They attempted
    to charge me 1600 pounds for insurance. When I dealt with the insurance
    company direct, it was only 1053 pounds.  Where the hell the brokers
    got their figure from, I've no idea.  Their response was 'Are you sure
    you told them it was a 16 valve ?'.
    
    IMO, it not only pays to shop around but also to deal directly with the
    insurance company.
    
    Julie.
    

    I was informed by my (UK) brokers that they were no longer able to
    offer insurance on my Alderney (Channel Islands) cars, which are my
    everyday transport here in Belgium. It seems that two things have
    happened. Firstly, Jersey has decided that all cars must display a
    sticker to show that they are insured, and that only Jersey-based
    insurers can issue said cards. Secondly, The UK insurers, in their
    refusal to cover *any* Channel Islands registered cars, do not seem
    to realise that the three main islands have quite separate and distinct
    legal systems. Guernsey and Alderney are not affected.
    
    Now, in order to get a 1 year green card, I have to buy in Belgium,
    which is bloody expensive. Bastards.
    
    Laurie.

    Ref the last few notes. I am insured by Eagle Star through a broker
    i've been using for years. I was paying c�450. My renewal was c�550! I
    rang round to check and couldn't do any better. i then tried Eagle Star
    Direct and was quoted �450!
    
    You may think our Channel Strategy stinks - but Eagle Star take the
    biscuit. They said they save you the Brokers profit and they don't
    compete with Brokers because Direct only quotes on mainstream insurance
    not the more exotic stuff which is left to the brokers. What a load of
    sh*t. 
    
    I got back to my long standing broker to give him the bad news. He was
    not surprised and asked me to give me their quote. A few days later my
    insurance was renewed through my broker at the Eagle Star Direct price!
    
    

    
    
    RE last few.
    
    
    	After reading the last few notes I decided to try Eagle star direct
    and they quoted 860pound.To recap that's 1100 pounds cheaper than my
    present broker has quoted my.
    
    	Eagle star are the cheapest and the most friendly group.
    
    	Andy.As long as you don't drive a high performance car.

    Can someone post the number for Eagle star direct please..
    
    Raj

I always found the CO-OP more friendly, proffessional and less expensive than
Eagle Star... one number for the CO-OP is 081-689-0674 (Martin Walder - he 
works from home)... mention my name please.

Cheers,

					Lewis.

    My wife told me a couple of days back that she heard on a local radio
    station that you can now(?) get insurance outside the country that you
    are residing within the EEC.
    
    The french have imposed a couple of restrictions on this one of them
    being that you can only get insurance from "non french" companies if
    they are registered in France and pay some sort of french "tax"!
    
    Anyone know about getting insurance from other countries and in
    particular what the french are upto eg. trying to make it as difficult
    as possible?
    
    Sorry if this has been covered before...
    
    Dave

    re -1
    
    � particular what the french are upto eg. trying to make it as
    � difficult
    
    	
    Didn't the French do something simular to imports of Japanese videos,
    the importer had to bring them in via one small french port and have
    all paper work available in some local Pyrennien dialect ??
        
    Nothing to do with Insurance of course ;-)
     
    

    I've had no trouble getting insurance here in Belgium, for a foreign
    (to Belgium) registered car. I understand the the Netherlands is the
    cheapest place to go for insurance. I'm not sure if one needs a "local"
    address though.
    
    Laurie.

    
    Raj,
    	The number of Eagle star direct is 0800 717188.
    
    	Andy.
    
    What happened about the speed camera?
    

    I've just tried getting Insurance for the following ( what a difference
    between brokers ? )
    
    1987 XR2
    Me and wife to drive
    7 years protected no claims
    No accidents or convictions
    
    the quotes I've had are
    
    Direct line   � 541
    Churchill     � 752
    RAC           � 790
    Swinton       � 1057
    Endsleigh     Sorry, no imobilizer no insurance
    Eagle star    Sorry we don't insure THAT type of car
    
    ( last year was �365 through Swinton )
    
    Anyone know of companies that may beat the �541 of direct line ( the
    other companies that quoted me said I should take the Direct line offer
    as no one would beat it )
    
    Regards
    
    Martin
    

    re .83 
    
    Preferred Direct use a Danish insurance company.

    re.88 - Try Preffered Direct, they gave me the best quote on an SRi,
    with only one years no claims, also covering my wife with a speeding
    conviction, of 644.
    
    0800 850750.
    
    Anyone have the Direct line number?  I may try them anyways.
    
    Mikef

    Direct line no is 041 226 2468
    
    Martin

     
    Just tried Prefered direct, they only offer insurance for people
    between 30 and 75 years old, I'll be OK next year though !!
    
    Martin

    Try the Co-Op, when I was calling round a few weeks ago they came in
    the cheapest, the cars I was getting quotes for are Fiesta 1.1L and
    Orion 1.6i GHIA. Also try The Insurance Service but they do have a few
    gotcha's like no hot hatches, 3 years without accidents there number is
    0272 232 232
    
    good luck
    
    Neil

A-Plan insurance, offices in Thatcham and Newbury (I don't know where else).
Thatcham is 0635 876464

Richard

    There is also an A-Plan in Basingstoke (Cross Street I think).  Sorry
    don't know the number.
    
    

What a (*&^%$""�

I meant Thatcham branch is 0635 874646.

Richard

    Well, as of today my Espace and I are out of the scheme. The insurance
    quotes are all over the place. I started with Halfords and the other
    quotes just kept coming in higher. Here they are for reference.
    
    AA		�816	�100 excess, 30% NCD
    Direct Line �774	�50  excess
    		�739	�100 excess
    A-plan	�582    �150 excess, 60% NCD, 3 month installment plan
    Halfords	�542.54 �100 excess, 45% NCD, 10 month installment plan
    		�489.87 With Digital discount.
    Prefered Direct	Wouldn't touch an Espace, its a seven seater.
    
    All quotes for two named drivers.
    
    Needless to say, I've gone with Halfords. Even though they only gave
    45% NCD, I'm banking that next year they'll find me the best quote
    which would make up for not having 60% NCD. All Halfords need from me
    (apart from the money, that is) is the letter from Fleet saying I've
    had no claims or accidents.
    
    Incidently, I might have gone with A-plan. They did a good job and told
    me of a new plan specifically aimed at company car drivers. Had I been
    a company car driver for 6 years I would have qualified for 65% NCD.
    
    Angus

    A new subject but the topic title still applies.
    
    I requested a quote on a car I was thinking of buying, the quote was
    about �230.  I bought the car based on the quote and rang back the very
    next day to take out the insurance.  "That'll be �340 sir".  It turned
    out that they'd misquoted the first time.
    
    I've taken legal advice which was to write to various people in the
    company higher up the ladder till I got it sorted, because by law they
    have to honour a verbal quote, then take legal action.
    
    I've been offered �40 compensation so far and am compiling my letter to
    the Director General.  
    
    My question is, has anyone else had this kind of problem and done
    something about it (or even had the problem and not done anything about
    it) ?  Any hints on getting the best results ?
    
    Regards,
    tp                                                

did you get the quote from the Insurance Company or the Broker ?

    From the broker, over the telephone.

Did you accept the quote over the telephone ? If not then the new quote 
I suspect would be the legally binding one. You are then able to accept or
reject this. If you accept this, then I doubt that a court will uphold you
trying to accept a lower price misquoted the previous day.

Any lawyers watching ?

All quotations are subject to the proposal form and acceptance from the 
Insurer in any case.

Is your case against the broker ? This is the only way I've ever heard it 
won, and that wasn't clear cut.

re 1871.99

>    My question is, has anyone else had this kind of problem and done
>    something about it (or even had the problem and not done anything about
>    it) ?  Any hints on getting the best results ?

Yes, I had this problem, but didn't do anything about it.  

Before changing cars, I phoned the insurance agent to ask how much the
insurance would be for the car I was thinking of.  I was told it was the
same group as my current car, but as it was newer it would cost about #30
more.

Once I had bought the car, it turned out to be 2 groups higher, so the
insurance was going to cost about #100 more.  As I had not specified
the car exactly in my original question, I didn't think I had any grounds
for appeal.  Also, I would still have bought it even if I had known how
much the insurance would be.  

(I haven't paid the extra #100, I insured TPF&T instead, and saved about #100!)

Carol

    
    	When I asked for quotes for my Citr�en BX (when I was going to buy
    my CoCar), I rang Direct Line and also Barclays (Bank) Insurance 
    services who both followed up the verbal quote with a written one.
    
    				Malcolm.

    
    	Now that my Citr�en Xantia VSX 1.9 TD is due for collection on
    Saturday and I now have sorted out the Insurance for it, here are the
    results of my multiple quotations:
    
    	First, common facts:
    
    All the quotes required a �100.00 excess on Fire and Theft claims;
    All the quotes (except Touchline who want �50.00) required a �40.00
    excess on windscreen claims.  I think that Touchline cover all glass
    for that, not just Windscreens.
    All were for �100.00 claims excess except Hogg Robinson which was
    �150.00
    I have zero No Claims Discount.
    
    Insurance Co./Broker'phone No.	Premium			Green Card
    					Annual/Monthly
    Hogg Robinson	0800-626624	�1257.00/-		Pay always
    
    Churchill		0800-?		�1204.00/�110.30	Pay always
    
    Endsleigh		0734-860490	�1175.00/1x�235.00+�94.00
                                                                35 day
    								block free
    
    Bennetts		0734-775744	�1120.00/-		Pay always
    
    AA Autoquote	0734-591931	�985.10/-		45 days
    
    James Gay & Partners 0734-771922	�903.00/-		Pay always
    
    Swinton		0344-53637	�801.76/-		Pay always
    
    Barclays Ins. Serv.	081-649-8911	�781.00/�65.08		60 days
    
    Directline		081-686-2468	�646.00 cash only	Pay always
    
    Touchline		0800-207800	�593.00/�50.67		30 days
    
    	Naturally, I took up Touchline's offer!  Before Concorde Garage
    recommended Touchline, I was tossing up between Barclays (zero %
    interest and deduct from your Barclaycard - no bank charges) and 
    Directline.
    
    	Hope that is interesting/usefull.
    
    				Malcolm.

Malcolm

I belive you are leaving Digital's scheme and buying your own car?

If so have you approach car fleet requesting a letter detailing driver
accident free driving record?  Of course it may not be that accident free.

Dave

    Can anyone beat �211 for one week's insurance ?
    
    My situation :-
    
    1. VW Golf GTi (insured with London & Edinburgh) was due for renewal of
    its insurance last Friday.
    
    2. We wanted to change cars, but weren't ready to make a decision until
    today (Monday), after test drives last weekend, meaning that we couldn't 
    change cars until Thursday this week at the earliest.
    
    3. London & Edinburgh gave ridiculously high quotes for the cars we were
    looking at.
    
    4. Norwich Union were the cheapest for the cars we were looking at, but
    they would only insure the GTi third party only ( i.e. without Fire &
    Theft ).
    
    5. I tried to find insurance for a short period, but the best I could
    do was to renew for a full year with London & Edinburgh and then cancel
    after 1 week, costing �211, and reinsure the new car with Norwich Union.
    
    6. The only alternative was to risk third party cover only on the Golf
    for a week - too risky.
    
    7. Norwich Union were �270 cheaper than London & Edinburgh on the car
    we decided on ( Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo Estate ), so it is cheaper to do it
    this way over the course of the year. Even so, it grieves me to pay out
    so much for so little.
    
    The moral of this story is NEVER change your car early in the insurance
    year.
                                      
    	Terry 
    

	When I sold the Marlin I got no rebate on the insurance 'cos it was
	with a specialist, so I lost a couple of months.  The MG club insurance
	is the same.

	Meanwhile, we're just organising insurance for the Peugot 405 
	for my wife (and I) and we've found an extremely good deal with
	the National Trust, if you're a member you might like to ask
	them for a quote.

	Dave

    
    
    Try Direct Line, when I canceled my insurance with them I got over 50%
    of my primium back (after 5 months of insurance).
    
    
    Mike

    Trouble with companies such as Direct Line is that, as soon as you say
    that you are driving an XYZ injection/turbo/16V type car, they tell you
    that they don't deal with them.
    
    I'm sure they're fine for a large number of cars/drivers, but we don't
    fit their "profile"
    
    Terry

I once asked to cancel my insurance 3 months before it was due to
run out.  Far from getting any rebate, they actually wanted a cancellation
fee!  Needless to say they didn't get it.

Insurance fraud?  My heart bleeds for them.

Chris.

    re .109 �211 for 1 week.
    
    Tha's nothin'...
    
    3 years ago I was quoted �1200 for day's cover on a hire car while my
    car was off the road.
    And they wanted �10,000 excess...

re .114
    
>    3 years ago I was quoted �1200 for day's cover on a hire car while my
>    car was off the road.
>    And they wanted �10,000 excess...

Well Rob, was it really necessary to hire an Lamboghini Countach as a replacement?

Clive

:-)

    Close, Clive.
    
    It was a Ferrari. Just to drive from the wedding reception to the
    airport.
    Needless to say I didn't take it - I couldn't afford that even on
    Ferney rates ;-)

    (Mods. do your stuff if one of the other 2million insurance topics is
    more appropriate)
    
    I've eventually got the Mini going again (and safe as far as the
    Ministry of Transport are concerned), but need some insurance. My wife
    is going to be the main user (she's giving back her 3 year old company 
    Astra Merit and taking the �5000pa (!!!!)). The trouble is she was
    diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis a couple of years ago and,
    although DVLA know & aren't in the least bit bothered, most insurance
    companies get as far as hearing MS and reply "We don't do that sort of
    thing". 
    
    So any ideas for companies who would do TPF&T for a 10 year old Mini, main
    user with MS, 2 attempted thefts in 5 years & an MW10 endorsement, second
    user (moi) with clean licence and 4 accidents (inc vandalism) in 5 years?
    
    Andy

    A Broker would be the best bet, someone like the AA.
    
    If you prefer not to deal with a broker, then try one of Sun Alliance,
    GRE or GA.
    
    Generally larger Composites are more prepared to take this sort of
    thing, especially if you are prepared to put your other business,
    house, life, etc, with them. The problem is, that they have no
    understanding of the situation.
    
    You will inevitably have to get a medical report in the end, so it is
    quite a good idea to bring the subject up yourself and explain that the
    DVLC and your Doctor are happy that there should be no driving
    restriction.
    
    Failing that, you get into the specialist Lloyds companies, and for
    that you'll need a broker.
    
    If you continue to have difficulties, then by all means mail me and
    I'll speak to someone to find out some more definite contact for you.
            

    
    Sorry if it's being nosy, but whats an MW10 ?  Must be getting old.
    
    

    MW	Motorway Offence
    10	Speeding
    
    I think.

    Isn't there a support group or charity associated with MS?
    
    And if there is I'm sure they'd know the stuff about 
    pre-disposed insurance companies.

    re: 118 Thanks for your suggestions, London & Edinburgh did quote
    for us from one broker but not from another, I'll try mentioning the ones 
    you came up with at the next broker I try.
    
    re:121 I have a help line number for the MS Society, but its always
    engaged, my wife is going to write to them.
    
    re: MW10 Contravention of special regs on motorways. She left the
    motorway 'late' (crossing the chevrons, just before the hard shoulder
    starts again) after sitting in a traffic jam - there was a police car
    on the bridge at the junction & Helen (a solicitor) confessed to being on 
    route to a course on how to advise clients who are in police custody -
    not a smart move in the circumstances :-) She said she was careful
    about the manoevre & the policeman replied that he was watching & if she 
    hadn't been careful he would have done her for careless driving as well!

            Now that my Xantia 1.9 Turbo Diesel VSX has endured a
    completely unscathed year, giving me a one year No-Claims Bonus,
    I've been ringing around for insurance quotes for my self and Sheila
    only, fully comprehensive cover.  These for your interest are the results:
    
    Insurance Co/Broker     'phone          Annual premium          Green
    Card
                            number                                  Free
    days
    
    Prefered Direct         01276-685666    Declined to quote - had accidents!
    
    Churchill               0500-200300     �870.00                 Nil
    
    Barclays Ins. Serv.     0181-649-8911   �773.00                 60 days
    
    AA Autoquote            0800-378549     �704.45                 45 days
    
    Swinton's               01344-53637     �623.07                 35 days
    
    Bennett's               01734-775744    �569.00                 Nil
    
    Landmark Express        0500-203015     �561.70                 90 days
    
    Endsliegh               01734-860490    �550.00                 35 day
    									block
    Network Direct          01256-460000    �502.00                 ?
    
    Hogg Robinson           0800-626624     �493.67                 45 days
    
    Directline              0181-6862468    �485.00                 Nil
    
    Admiral                 0800-600-800    �471.00                 ?
    
    Frizzel                 01202-757575    �439.97                 Nil
    
    Touchline               0800-207800     �386.00                 30 days
    
            Naturally, I am going to continue with Touchline for another
    year.
    
    	    The Directline quote included the DIGITAL discount.
    
            The Common parts for all these quotes are:
    1. �100.00 excess on all claims:
    2. �40.00 excess on Windscreen claims (Touchline �50.00);
    3. Only Sheila and I to drive;
    4. One Year No Claim Discount;
    5. Car in Carport over night (ie. not street or garage parking);
    6.Some companies offer a complimentary replacement car for up to 5 days
    						in the case of accidents.
    7. Fully Comprhensive cover;
    8. 15,000 miles annually;
    9. Social, Domestic and Pleasure driving only.
    
            I hope that this is of interest and maybe even of assistance to
    anyone looking for their own insurance renewal.  I'm posting this under
    Insurance and Xantia Topics.
    
                                    Malcolm.

    �Some companies offer a complimentary replacement car
    
    I noted this in the AA adverts. Do you know if Direct Line offer this ?
    
    Royston

When I came out of the company scheme last year I went with Avon 
Insurance (organised through A-plan) They offered me 40% no claims on 
production of the company letter. 

However this year I got a better offer with The Insurance Service. 
Another direct dealing company. They offered FULL PROTECTED no-claims 
on production of the letter (I kept a copy) and the year earned with Avon. 
(Avon offered full no-claims, but not protected).

This is for 2 named drivers, SD&P and includes myself for COMPANY driving.
For a Rover 416 GSi (16V) parked in street about �330 (not sure of exact 
figure, but this includes legal support)

Oh yea, and they just sent a letter saying they've introduced the replacement 
car if mine's off the road.

Richard

Would you care to provide contact details?

    �Some companies offer a complimentary replacement car
    
    I noted this in the AA adverts. Do you know if Direct Line offer this ?
    
    Royston


	The only other one that I can remember is Endsleigh.

				Malcolm.

    I must say thats a pretty comprehensive search Malcolm for the best
    quote. I counted 14 companies. It payed off though and it shows
    the savings that can be made if you shop around.
    
    Royston

    
    What insurance group is the car ?

    contact information for The Insurance Service:
    
    Call Free on 0800 98 98 98 quote ref MGMCUS 
    	And If you do want to accept them, quote my ref number ( G-4191329 )
        and You'll be entitled to an extra �20 discount on the first year,
    	and I'll get a �20 M&S voucher!.
    
    Richard Davies 

    I am just about to renew my house contents policy which includes 
    all-risks cover for personal posessions.
    This in the past has covered possessions stolen from the car.
    However this section has been changed.  These items will only be
    covered if locked in the boot of a car.  Fine, but what about 
    those of us with estates ?
    
    It transpires, that so long as the 'cover is pulled over', blocking
    everything from view, the insurance is OK.  They will not pay if
    anything is stolen from a locked glove compartment !!!
    
    Some of you maybe asking why am I concerned about this - I have
    an estate as my company car.  So I have to provide my own cover
    for my personal possessions.
    
    Those poor folks with 'people movers' have a real problem.
    
    Have many other folks come across this problem ?
    
    Judy