Who do you insure with?

[gyles]

I'm sure I wont be the only one:

Every year when it comes to insurance renewal time here in the UK, its the same old issues with "no, its a VW beetle, you cant have an engine that big", or "my tables dont show you can insure it for that much" etc etc....  This is even though you tell them the same things every year and provide the proof they ask for.  Its just a ball ache you can do without.

I am having the same issues yet again right now with my insurer and was wondering if any of my fellow Loungers can truly, hand on heart, recommend an insurer that doesn't spend two months of the year dicking you about?

[lofty1971]

I'm sure I wont be the only one:

Every year when it comes to insurance renewal time here in the UK, its the same old issues with "no, its a VW beetle, you cant have an engine that big", or "my tables dont show you can insure it for that much" etc etc....  This is even though you tell them the same things every year and provide the proof they ask for.  Its just a ball ache you can do without.

I am having the same issues yet again right now with my insurer and was wondering if any of my fellow Loungers can truly, hand on heart, recommend an insurer that doesn't spend two months of the year dicking you about?

Heritage Motor http://www.heritage-quote.co.uk/

I've been with them for years and think they are spot on.

My 67 solid mounted, close ratio box, roll cage, 2276cc etc etc and track cover for about £200 on 5000 miles a year, agreed value of £15,000 I think...(might be a bit less)

[Hecker]

Good question, here in the states its also an issue. I was talking with a guy who has a Type 3
custom pick-up with a OLDS 455 C I in the back !!! He uses HAGERTY & swears they are Great !!
I need to look into it as well, especially the agreed value. Good luck

[Rick Meredith]

I've used Hagerty as well but I get a better deal using AAA as long as I insure my daily drivers with them.

[Rennsurfer]

Hagerty beat every other insurance carrier quote when I bought my '67 three years ago. You pick the value, pay the affordable annual premium, then don't worry about the next payment till a year later. Meanwhile, enjoy Cal Looker. Repeat as needed.

[kingsburgphil]

We had our Rometsch with J C Taylor for 18 years, no claims though. They turned me down with my current car because it has a roll cage
Been with Hagerty for a year now....so far so good.  We'll see how good when and if I have a claim.

[Rocket Ron]

Try these guys

i've been with them off and on for 15 years. You need to send some photos etc to prove condition

http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/

Regards Ron

[mick]

I was with footman james last year but came to renew this year
and was told because it has more than 100bhp than standard they wouldn't insure me !
Sureterm direct was £120 for a 2276cc beetle and the same price for my split
Definitely worth a call

Mick

[j-f]

At least you can insure your car for what it is. In Belgium, it's forbidden to make any modifications to a vehicle. It have to stay as it left the factory. Disc brakes instead of drum brakes? Forbidden! Sway a way or shortened front beam? No way!
We are outlaws and if we are involved in an accident, insurance expert will quickly point that the car does not comply with is tech sheet.

[Black Sheep]

I was with AON one year , low premium of under £200  , agreed value of £20.000 , with track cover , had to be in a club thow .
Then the next year it went up by 300%
So i went with Sureterm Direct this year , all the cover I needed for £235 . Then they decided after being insured with them for 3 month's that my car wasn't worth over 11 grand  and wanted me to agree to this 
Well I never bothered to get back to them on that one , lets just say I'll be looking for another insurer soon 

[H67bug]

So i went with Sureterm Direct this year , all the cover I needed for £235 . Then they decided after being insured with them for 3 month's that my car wasn't worth over 11 grand  and wanted me to agree to this 

HIC do the same (which I believe is also Adrian Flux/ Volksworld Insurance).

They agree a value which drives the premium price. 3 months later told they do not insure cars over £12k! Premium does not drop and you are now under insured. They say it is their policy to not agree values in excess of £12k without independent inspection but they don't say this up front. You then have to get a detailed report which is fine but they should just say this up front.

I used http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/

Had to have a report written by a club or specialist which they explained up front. Quite easy after that. The report has to be by someone not involved in building the car which you can work around once you know.

[gyles]

Getting some good feedback here.  Thanks chaps. 

So, basically all insurance companies are about the same 

Many of these stories sound just like my current insurers, Performance Direct.  But at least they do honour what they agree at the start.

[58vw]

here in the states im with Heacock insurance...with a stated value of 25k at 350.00 per yr cost...best i found

[DKKBRIAN]

HAGERTY...

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

Smith & Wesson

[Neil Davies]

I've been with Footman James for a while, but not had any problems with a car with 100bhp more than standard as my car has less than 100bhp anyway! I'll probably go back to them if they'll have me - £160 a year fully comp, with a 1600 on twin 40s, BRM reps, Porsche 912 seats, dechromed, lowered front etc.

HIC are robbing gits - they stole my '60 and sold it - if I wanted it I had to go to an auction to buy it back, and I was outbid! It had suffered more damage while it was in the "secure storage" yard, and to add insult to injury, they didn't pay me my £300 excess back, even thoughthe accident was proven to be not my fault.

I went with Lanchester for a year for my T25, they were ok but put the premium up for the second year, and Adrian Flux seemed ok when my dad had his squareback.

[gyles]

And as if by magic, my current insurer phoned me today to say they do not accept cars with modified engines or increases in hp over 30%

This is despite them having insured me for the previous two and a half years with exactly the same spec and even having had sight of the dyno print out from day 1.  Go figure

[johnl]

I've been following this topic with some interest.  Currently we have nine cars insured through one agent and this is all he does.  Our 2001 BMW M5 which most companies won't cover in these catagories Barlow Insurance does.  We have seven vintage Chryslers and even the '63 VW on the same policy.  In round numbers the collection is insured for about $500,000.00 and the cost is in the neighbohood of $1,200 annually.  These numbers are from memory, so don't hold me to them.  I'm also allowed to drive any of these cars to work or non related car events occasionally.

I've never had a claim, but if one was needed I don't expect problems.  So, if any of you SoCal people have an interest in checking into this further contact Jonathan Barlow and he will give you the attention needed.  Each owner and car would be handled separtely, but he has told me they cover cars making over 1000 hp.  His site is:  http://www.barlowinsurance.net

[jamiep_jamiep]

Smith & Wesson

I've used footman james for the past few years, but have to say the service ain't great and they get muddled up quite easily 

[Neil Davies]

Smith & Wesson

I've used footman james for the past few years, but have to say the service ain't great and they get muddled up quite easily 

Their office is right around the corner from my work, so I tend to pop in and sort things face to face!

[71CALRIPPER]

The amount of times I have given all my details to HIC and then ask them to read it back to me and they didnt note the engine size etc is soo anoying but it my fault if they get it wrong...

Rob

[gyles]

And how honest is everyone with their insurers 

[Black Sheep]

Me i declare the whole lot , can't afford not to as my car seem's to attract a lot of un-due attention for some reason 
, but I do know of a few alleged 1641 twin carbed insured motors 

[Fiatdude]

I was thinking about AAA with the Fiat -- but they wouldn't insure the car without a speedo -- and I would of been limited to 3000 miles per year. Went with Hagarity and made sure they knew the card had a cage and was HiPo -- their only comment was that if the car was damaged during a race that it was not covered. It was insured at an agreed upon amount. That was fine with me

[Neil Davies]

Just taken out a policy with Footman James - fully comp for me and the better half, unlimited miles, value of £3500, Flat Four BRMs, lowered front, twin carbs and a merged header on a 1600 - £105! Result!