Footman James takeover

[C.J.]

Been scouring the boards, but haven't found owt about it so far.

Feel free to delete this if there's already a thread running on this, and do me a link if poss on this worrying subject.

Takes overs to me usualy mean 'new broom, sweeping clean.

Towergate is the largest UK independent insurance intermediary...apparemntly.
Personally, I'd never heard of them until I saw the letter today.

Anyway, I'm now worrying myself that come renewal time for Miss C.J.'s moggy in just a few months time, they might turn 'round and say, "Sorry.We as the new owners of FJ, no longer see young drivers as a suitable risk, so that'll be £3000 please" .

Anyone actually spoken to the company since take over date (11/12/13) for some sort of re-assurance of continuity of the young drivers scheme?

[irmscher]

I didn't find them that cheap anyhow

[IaininTenbury]

Just had same letter myself and slightly worried how things will change come renewal time....

[alexandermclaren]

I didn't find them that cheap anyhow

They are heavily promoted on here and offer discounts for members,
however my own experience leads me to believe that they are not the market leaders by a long way
and we might see some other companies get a fairer crack of the whip,
my life skills tell me that big aint always going to best
however I am open minded and will always givethem another chance to win my business,
there is no loyalty in business nowadays I always go to the cheapest petroleum station around
and the same goes for car insurance.

[alexandermclaren]

Just had same letter myself and slightly worried how things will change come renewal time....

Not so good
perhaps this is their way of forewarning you that there will be a price hike come high or low water

[lambrettalad]

I had never heard of them till this week when I bought my MGB the previous owner ,a policeman,used them and he said they were ok and owned/or preferred by UNISON

does this mean that after a crash they will only repair your left wing ?

[C.J.]

I appreciate that FJ's are not the only classic car insurance provider, and it's quite evident that many in here insure elsewhere, however, as far as I know FJ are the ONLY provider that offer the currently unbeatable scheme for 'YOUNG DRIVERS', and probably most if not all that fit into that category, are insured through them.
I bought our Moggy solely on this basis, (no regrets now either as we all love it) as all the other companies simply wanted my trousers down, regardless of make model and age.
Paid a most satisfactory £440 last March for a very comprehensive package for a 19 year old, but am seriously concerned that next March, it's going to rocket if they pull the current scheme, and she'll be off the road again, and a Moggy will be going up for sale very very sadly.

Sincerely hoping this doesn't happen, but as a previous poster said^^^, there's absolutely NO sentiment in business for all the warm friendly cosy words these massive companies make.
In essence, they simply want your money and generally don't give a jot about our needs.

Hope someone from FJ comes in here and reads/responds to this concern of mine and probably many others now too.
We need assurance NOW, for future planning

[C.J.]

I had never heard of them till this week when I bought my MGB the previous owner ,a policeman,used them and he said they were ok and owned/or preferred by UNISON

does this mean that after a crash they will only repair your left wing ?

Strange that. I thought it must just be me!

[C.J.]

Just had same letter myself and slightly worried how things will change come renewal time....

You got a youngster on the insurance too?

[C.J.]

I'm going to ring them tomorrow to seek assurance, but you just know what they're going to say ey?
Not holding my breath here.

"Couldn't possibly say at this time, but please do ring back in March for a renewal quote".

Not good enough. I need to be searching elsewhere NOW in readiness, or preparing the Moggy for selling.

[LouiseM]

C.J. - I have sent Dave from FJ a pm asking if he is able to clarify the position regarding the young drivers scheme.

[C.J.]

C.J. - I have sent Dave from FJ a pm asking if he is able to clarify the position regarding the young drivers scheme.

You ARE a hunnybunny!

Quite worrying this, as Miss C.J. is getting a bit upset thinking she's going to lose Moggsy.
I've assured her she isn't (but at what cost I'm wondering)

[LouiseM]

Thank you - I've been called various things by members of this board but never a hunnybunny

[C.J.]

Thank you - I've been called various things by members of this board but never a hunnybunny

Always happy to please....not that it works very often.

[Dave@FJ]

C.J. - I have sent Dave from FJ a pm asking if he is able to clarify the position regarding the young drivers scheme.

Thanks Lou.

There are no plans to make any changes to the young driver scheme. This is exclusively written for members of the MMOC by Footman James and underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance. RSA will continue to underwrite policies for FJ under our new ownership.

It's all very much business as usual.

[C.J.]

C.J. - I have sent Dave from FJ a pm asking if he is able to clarify the position regarding the young drivers scheme.

Thanks Lou.

There are no plans to make any changes to the young driver scheme. This is exclusively written for members of the MMOC by Footman James and underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance. RSA will continue to underwrite policies for FJ under our new ownership.

It's all very much business as usual.

Thanks for that.
Re-assuring for now at least.

[alexandermclaren]

C.J. - I have sent Dave from FJ a pm asking if he is able to clarify the position regarding the young drivers scheme.

Thanks Lou.

There are no plans to make any changes to the young driver scheme. This is exclusively written for members of the MMOC by Footman James and underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance. RSA will continue to underwrite policies for FJ under our new ownership.

It's all very much business as usual.

Why then was this not stated in the mailing shot to their customers at the time and save all of those worrisome postings and time wasted , big consortium,s never do think of their customers as human beings ,.and it appears it's getting bigger, hey Ho that's life

Thanks for that.
Re-assuring for now at least.

[alexandermclaren]

Thank you - I've been called various things by members of this board but never a hunnybunny

your one of the best on here Louise M
and I think your new handle suits your personality

[bmcecosse]

There are many other classic car insurers - just look at the many pages of Ads in the weekly classic car papers. I do believe other companies (perhaps Lancaster??) do cater for young drivers - i'm sure I have seen them mentioned in Mini forums. However since MMOC have promoted the 'young driver' scheme for their members with FJ, I expect they will arrange for the scheme to continue - or negotiate a similar deal with another insurer.

[C.J.]

There are many other classic car insurers - just look at the many pages of Ads in the weekly classic car papers. I do believe other companies (perhaps Lancaster??) do cater for young drivers - i'm sure I have seen them mentioned in Mini forums. However since MMOC have promoted the 'young driver' scheme for their members with FJ, I expect they will arrange for the scheme to continue - or negotiate a similar deal with another insurer.

News to me. Within the last 9 months is this, as I rang a few of the usual suspects up last March and was basically told "not a snowballs chance in hell".