Morris Minor Owners Club

Like Les, I have been insured with Footman James for a few years because they were initially very competitive, were recommended by the MMOC and I have carried on renewing. I have never previously been asked to pay an "Arrangement fee" by this or any other insurer so found this "extra" slightly offensive. I know it's only a tenner but I do find these "add-ons" a bit cheeky and for this reason alone I thought I'd shop around this year. To my surprise I found that I got other quotes starting at a little over half my Footman James renewal this year for the same cover and no mention of any arrangement fee. So, as you might imagine, I am now insured elsewhere. It does lead me to wonder how competitive this company now is for members? I notice that no representative from the club OR Footman James has replied to the various questions in this thread.

Footman James did telephone me the day before my renewal to ask if I wished to proceed. I told them that their quote wasn't very competitive and the reply was that I should have contacted them by telephone for a better price. I really don't feel that I should have to do that each year. Surely if this company has an arrangement with the MMOC to provide a competitive price to members, then the renewal should reflect that.

Mine was one of the queries that got no response. I think we all have to be wary of exclusive deals that aren't what they seem. This morning I had two new tyres on my modern. When I checked the promised AA Exclusive discount for members I found that it was the same price as the Tyreshopper website, available to Joe Public.

It appears that the MMOC relationship with FJ offers no benefit at all, and quite possibly years of complacency have resulted in a poor deal now for members. How should this be raised in the club? Do the great and good of the MMOC not participate in their own website? Should I write to the committee or to Minor Matters? Attend the AGM?

As paying members we should expect due diligence when the club makes these arrangements.

I believe FJ do however off the 'young members' 'insurance scheme - providing cover for Minors owned by the said 'young members' so boosting the popularity of Minors among yoofs, and giving them insurance cover they would not easily obtain elsewhere, at least not at 'reasonable' cost. Presumably FJ hope they will continue with them for future insurance cover.....

I'm well aware of the "young members scheme" and would fully support the club's provision of this. However my insurance WAS covering a "young member" in that my young daughter of 20 is a named driver on the policy so that she has a car to drive when home in University holidays. Changing insurer could have saved me £288 this year if I'd gone with the cheapest alternative quote. Quite a consideration and just goes to show how important it is to shop around regardless of recommendations.