12 replies to this topic

[ChrisCityE]

Couple of years back they said that a Mk2 Mini was only £500, not the £10k that British Mini Club said it was worth. BMC had a word with them and all of a sudden they accepted the Valuation that was given.

 

Q: When is a Mini not a Mini? 

 

A: When it is a Van.

 

They refuse to insure me on my Mini Van because it is a Van, and you can't have a "commercial vehicle" on a classic Mini policy.

 

Not at all happy about this.

 

Adrian Flux want £413 to insure my Van - I pay less for my 2 litre A3 Sport!

 

In 2010 I was paying £300 for a modified Mini, but now they want nearly 50% on top of that despite me being 3 years older!

 

Recommendations on where to go now?

[Fast Ivan]

I use normal insurance companies, last year was the RAC, renewal later this month will most likely be kwick fit as, quite simply, they are the cheapest.

[iwatkins]

Indeed, i get better quotes from non-mini-specialist insurance companies than I do from the ones advertised in the back of the Mini mags and that is for the same cover.

[petehuws]

These classic insurers give a better deal if you're a first time customer or not used them for a while. 

I'm back with Footman James again this year insuring my Cooper RSP, declared the mods of Maniflow exhaust, Hi-Lo's KYB adjustables, Yoko 165 tyres & a K&N air filter - agreed value with UK\European breakdown cover and European cover for up to 35 days.  Cost = £173.06

[AVV IT]

Give Peter James and R&H Classic a try. 

 

I use normal insurance companies, last year was the RAC, renewal later this month will most likely be kwick fit as, quite simply, they are the cheapest.

 

Not really a good idea if you have a van worth £10k though. A mainstream policy is likely to give you market value back for it in the event of a claim (i.e a couple of hundred quid). Also if your mini is modified from standard spec in any way other than the wheels and the stereo, then most mainstream insurers don't want to know any way.

 

If you can afford it, an agreed valuation policy through a specialist insurer is the best option for any classic car, even though it may be a more expensive option. (Although I do understand that classic policies are out of reach many younger drivers and therefore a standard policy through a mainstream insurer is the only option)

Edited by AVV IT, 15 May 2013 - 11:34 AM.

[Tanya]

I use Peter James.  While I haven't claimed from them, I have made many alterations to my policy, added various cars kept at different address and it's been no hassle at all.  I have found them easy to deal with and helpful.  I've only ever had a fleet policy with them, but I rate them.  

[ChrisCityE]

Heritage brokers with Chaucer said £298 with agreed value of £12k - the other 1960 Van went for £14 so wait and see what British Mini Club value my Van at when its done...

Still going to keep looking. I think it's crazy that a "Mini specialist" doesn't do Vans and Pickups - I know there are only about 10,000 left but they are still Minis!

[AVV IT]

Like I said earlier, give Peter James a try. Like Tanya I've found them to be very helpful and I'm also impressed with how thorough they are when it comes to modifications and agreed value. Footman on the other hand, have lost a lot of business since they departed with their main underwriter last year, (Equity Red Star) who provided all their competitively priced classic policies. I'm no longer with them because despite happily insuring my MG metro powered Sprite, they refused to insure my MG metro powered Mayfair with identical BHP, because it started life as a 998!! 

 

R&H classic are worth a try too, but I believe that you do need to keep the vehicle garaged overnight, in order to qualify for an agreed valuation policy with them. 

Edited by AVV IT, 15 May 2013 - 07:55 PM.

[ChrisCityE]

Peter James wouldn't touch it because I am under 25 and its a commercial vehicle - same for Graham Sykes.

Useless really considering it is never going to be used as a commercial vehicle and in 6 years of driving I have held 10 full policies and have full no claims, with 0 claims or convictions against my name.

[AVV IT]

I see, I didn't realise you were under 25, but in which your quote of £413 from Adrian Flux doesn't sound all that bad. Yes it's significantly higher than your premium three years ago, but then to be fair premiums have gone up significantly over the last few years (mine included and I'm nearly 40!) Plus you're also talking about insuring quite a high value example, which also happens to be one of the most stolen of the mini variants.

[Tanya]

Well Chris, I could make some joke about trailering it everywhere instead of driving it, but I won't!!  

I hope you get a decent quote.  I can't wait to see the van when it's finished, and if it's half as good as Millie, it will be great!

[ChrisCityE]

I don't think that my Mum would ever let me put it on a trailer, especially after both her and Jason cleaned for 4 hours on Sunday....

(although it may go to Bristol on a trailer if I don't get the MOT done in time!)

[Wise Old Elf]

http://www.lotuselan...eme-t22356.html

 

Give Kim a call at Routen Chaplin. I pay £90 full comp for my Lotus.