Insurance

[Clare45]

Hello everyone

I'm about to become the new owner of a beautiful Morris Minor convertible which I'm so excited about, I've wanted one since I can remember.

Anyway I'm trying to organise insurance but it seems to be harder than I thought.
I want to insure it mainly for leisure purposes but also for some business miles but not to a fixed address. I run a Nutrition Consultancy called Eat For Victory which is relating to the diet and lifestyle of 1940's England. I would also like to have my logo on the boot but in transfer form so it doesn't upset the paintwork. I want to be able to promote my business and possibly also travel to book signings etc in it.

So far I've tried AH Insurance and Footman James neither of which will insure for this kind of requirement. Adrian Flux will insure me but it seems rather expensive at £200 including breakdown cover. Also my brother says to avoid them with a barge pole. He says some of his friends with classic cars have had issues with them.

It's a mine field and this is all new to me so I would really appreciate some help from any of your lovely people.
I'll be signing up to the club this week providing my car passes her Charles Ware check!

Looking forward to meeting some of you soon!

Clare

[liammonty]

Hi Clare,

I have to say that, compared to any modern car, £200 including business use sounds pretty cheap to me! That said, I don't know if what you are planning to use it for constitutes full-on business use in the eyes of an insurer or not. Of course, where you live, how old you are, whether you have points on your license etc. all make a difference to cost, and without knowing any of that, it's not really possible to say whether your quote is great or not. My Minor (not insured for business use, and not my main car) is just under £70 per year, but I've a clean license and I live in a low-risk area, and at 40, I guess I'm not classed as such a high risk as I would have been a few years ago! I'm not aware of anyone with insurance cheaper than that, mind.

It's worth trying RH insurance - I'm with them and many others on here use them, although I do know of one case where they provided extremely bad service. I think you can get unlucky with any insurance company if you're unfortunate.

[Clare45]

Thank very much liammonty
I'm also low risk at 43 and location I think the main issue is that a logo on the back is considered a modification so RH and Footman James wont insure it and most people don't use cars like this for business but my business is a bit different to most as most people don't have a business that relates to the 1940's

You are of course right about it being cheaper than modern cars and I did add things like mis-fuel which my brother thinks is unnecessary with a Minor but I'm wanting to be super cautious!

I'll keep phoning around ....
Thank you kindly for your help

[neilmorey]

A leaflet fell out of Practical Classics last month for mustard.co.uk which will give you quotes from a variety of companies. I can't say I was tempted by any of them (Admiral, etc.) but my use is purely as an occasional classic.

Might be worth speaking to a real insurance broker to get a policy tailored to your requirements?

[Dave@LIS]

Clare

I've sent you a private message. I used to look after this scheme for one of the brokers you've already mentioned but have now moved elsewhere. I can most likely help you with this.

I've re-registered as a new user as my old username made reference to my old company.

Best regards

Dave

[simmitc]

Clare, the problem with the logo seems very odd as it is not really a "modification". I have heard that some companies don't like sign written vehicles. One way around that might be to use a magnetic sign with your logon - stick it on when appropriate, remove it when not. The offer from Dave is worth looking at as he's an all round good guy.

I look forward to seeing some pictures of the car. Have you thought about exhibiting at the National Rally, only a couple of weeks away, and could be the perfect outlet for you.

Dave, good to see you back.

Simon

[Dave@LIS]

Thanks Simon

I think it's the combination of business use and the logo that's turning off the others.

What it needs is for a sensible broker to pick up the phone to the insurer and actually explain the details. Other than the additional mileage I don't see how it's adding a great deal of risk. The insurer just needs to understand this. They're numbers people, not car people so need it spelled out lol

From what's been said in the original post I shouldn't have a problem with placing this.

[bmcecosse]

Your 'logo' would be best as a magnetic sign that you simply attach to the car when wanted- and remove when you don't. Our local 'fast response' First Aiders use these - with all the stripes etc - and in seconds the car is back to just being a normal vehicle again. I suspect you will be hard pushed to beat £200 if you include 'business use' - after all - they have no control over how many miles etc and what loads you are going to be carrying. But I have had great experience with RH (not business though) - so give them a call - and do follow up the offer above from 'Dave' who appears to have moved on from FJ !! i wonder if that means the end of the 'young drivers' scheme at FJ ??

[Dave@LIS]

Morning Roy

Yes I moved on from FJ several months ago but still very much in the classic car insurance industry. I've tried to stay away from insurance related threads as the club do still have an exclusive relationship with FJ and it would be wrong to come on here banging the drum for my new employer. I've only posted on this one as Clare had already tried FJ who simply don't offer business use on single vehicle policies.

I think the young driver scheme is pretty safe. Although I played a small part in keeping this going over the years i'm sure someone else will have taken over the reigns

[bmcecosse]

I'm sure it helps a lot of 'young drivers' - so let's hope it keeps going. I presume FJ must find it 'worthwhile'. But as Brokers - they are simply arranging the Cover with Insurance Cos - so presumably if the contacts are known - it will be equally possible for another broker to arrange an identical scheme?

[Dave@LIS]

I have no doubts at all that FJ will keep the young driver scheme going. The MMOC young members are a pretty sensible bunch so I don't imagine it resulting in a lot of claims

You are right, as long the broker has an insurer with an 'appetite' to write this type of business then it would be very simple to put together an identical, or even an improved, scheme

[bmcecosse]

Well - there's a task for you Dave !

[myoldjalopy]

I am not happy that some insurers won't insure for business use. There seems to be a move towards treating these cars as pampered hobby cars only, not as everyday, working vehicles. The belief seems to be that Minors are always a second, Sunday drive type vehicle, when the reality for many, myself included, is that they are our only car!
If we want to run a Minor for business use, then we should be insured to do so, without quibbling.

[Clare45]

Thank you all so much for being so helpful, you're all so lovely!

As I just mentioned to Dave unfortunately things are on hold now as a few things have come in in the car check I had done by Charles Ware. Hopefully it will just be a case of reducing the asking price.

I'm wondering whether I could ask MMOC opinion on the check report - is there a place to do that or someone I can ask do you know?

I've totally fallen in love with this car which came to me in wonderful circumstances and the current owner are really genuine but I know very little about cars so I want to make sure I have my sensible head on!

You all seem like such a nice bunch and I'm really looking forward to becoming part of the tribe!

I've attached a picture of the car in question[frame][/frame]

[ASL642]

If you contact MMOC HQ in Derby (01332 291675) ask for Liz Saxon who has a list of MMOC valuers in your area.

[simmitc]

Every car will have something "wrong" with it if you look hard enough. I have no knowledge of a "CW Check" but presumably it's similar to an AA inspection and lists things that need doing. They will probably be happy to quote for what needs doing, as would any trader. There may be differences of opinion as to what needs doing and when. If the report says "brakes pull to one side" or "corrosion near spring hanger" then those things need sorting. If it says "faded paint on boot lid" then you could just plan for a respray or even a new boot lid in "x" years time. Similarly a carpet set won't break the bank, but a replacement gearbox will be more expensive. It might just be realistic to accept that you are buying a car that is 40 - 50 years old and that may need some work - and reflect that in the price that you agree.

[myoldjalopy]

You don't usually have to look too hard to find falts - they are often present, otherwise this messageboard would be silent! Depends how knowledgeable, exacting and realistic you are about owning and using a prospective car. However, they are definately worth looking after, as we all know

[sid]

good luck with your new car Clare but shouldn't you be driving a 1940's car with your business?