Morris Minor Owners Club

Guys I’m devastated right now.
I’m planning to go and see a really nice little mog on Sunday. Decided to call up Lancaster to get a quote for this particular car… when they were asking about my licence I explained that I hold an automatic licence and that until I can pass a test I’d be driving the car under a provisional with my husband supervising.
That bumped the quote up to well over £500 which was a bit of a sting… then the chap went on to inform me that once I passed my test I’d be looking at around £1500 as although I’ve held a licence for over 20 years I’d be classed as new driver

I don’t know why this didn’t occur to me, I guess I assumed that they would take ALL my driving experience into account, not just from when I passed my manual test.

The guy advised that I might be better to just pass my test, wait a year then buy a car, which is probably sensible advice but I’m gutted. Especially because there is absolutely no test availability where I live.

Are there any insurance companies which cater specifically for new drivers that you guys can recommend? I’ve waited such a long time to be able to get a classic, now I feel like it’s out of reach because of insurance

Try the MMOC scheme, see www.mmoc.org.uk/insurance

Dion't just use the web quote, give them a ring and speak direct with people who know the cars and can understand that you are not a 17 year old learner.

simmitc wrote: ↑Wed Nov 19, 2025 4:11 pm Try the MMOC scheme, see www.mmoc.org.uk/insurance

Dion't just use the web quote, give them a ring and speak direct with people who know the cars and can understand that you are not a 17 year old learner.

Thanks so much, I’ll give them a call either after work or tomorrow

They will only insure after a year of holding a full manual licence

Part of me wonders if I should just try and get an automatic… but then that pretty much writes off me getting a mog, and I was so set on one

Update on that, I have sent you a PM.

simmitc wrote: ↑Wed Nov 19, 2025 5:12 pm Update on that, I have sent you a PM.

Received and much appreciated!!

I sense doubt setting in, which is understandable, Minors are ok but they need attention and as they are old you are likely to be spending money on one. You need to be fully committed, and if you are, good luck in your search. Remember though, ‘travelling is often better than arriving ‘

les wrote: ↑Wed Nov 19, 2025 7:00 pm I sense doubt setting in, which is understandable, Minors are ok but they need attention and as they are old you are likely to be spending money on one. You need to be fully committed, and if you are, good luck in your search. Remember though, ‘travelling is often better than arriving ‘

The insurance thing has really thrown me out. It just didn’t occur to me that I’d be faced with ‘new driver’ premiums… so I have to rethink everything. If I can’t get a better quote from anywhere I won’t give up, but I’ll probably have to put the idea on ice while I focus on getting a test. Then leave it for a further year once I’ve passed to allow for premiums to drop.
It’s just very disappointing, especially as with wait times, I’m unlikely to get a test within the next year

I should probably add… I’m not begrudging spending money on the car, I’m aware that it will need money spent on it, but £1500 for insurance alone is quite a large chunk of my budget and would eat into money I would prefer to keep aside from potential repairs!

Wishing you well with your plans, I was shocked to hear of that Premium.

That is so sad and disappointing. Insurance can be so unfair as they try to put all drivers into convenient (for them) boxes. Good luck in you adventure what ever the outcome.

Thank you all, the support means a lot
Hopefully I can work something out!

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 19, 2025 4:00 pm I’m planning to go and see a really nice little mog on Sunday.

If you view it, and it turns out to be "The One" then you'll likely throw caution to the winds re:insurance and buy it anyway

Would it help assuming your husband has his manual driving licence, if he bought it and you having passed your test were insured as a second driver?

Chief wrote: ↑Wed Nov 19, 2025 8:36 pm

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 19, 2025 4:00 pm I’m planning to go and see a really nice little mog on Sunday.

If you view it, and it turns out to be "The One" then you'll likely throw caution to the winds re:insurance and buy it anyway

Probably

moggiethouable wrote: ↑Wed Nov 19, 2025 9:48 pm Would it help assuming your husband has his manual driving licence, if he bought it and you having passed your test were insured as a second driver?

A great idea and hubby and I had this discussion, he was happy to do that, but having spoke to the insurance company they informed me it wouldn’t make much difference to the premium as they take into account ‘the least experienced driver’ so the premium will still be extremely high
High as in more than 10 times the normal amount. It’s crazy

"Would it help assuming your husband has his manual driving licence, if he bought it and you having passed your test were insured as a second driver?"
That approach needs to be treated with caution. If hubby is declared as the main driver and Mrs Smith drives the car most of the time it is classed as "fronting". Insurance companies take a dim view of that.
Sorry for the negativity.

Have you tried a range of companies?
Their policies vary hugely. A few years back the one I'd been with for 10+ years wanted £5100 to add my provisionally-licenced teenagers to my £300 Vauxhall insurance. But another company offered £350. Guess what i did!
My Minors are with with Adrian Flux; try them?

Mervin wrote: ↑Thu Nov 20, 2025 10:36 am "Would it help assuming your husband has his manual driving licence, if he bought it and you having passed your test were insured as a second driver?"
That approach needs to be treated with caution. If hubby is declared as the main driver and Mrs Smith drives the car most of the time it is classed as "fronting". Insurance companies take a dim view of that.
Sorry for the negativity.

You are right and I appreciate the view, it wouldn’t make a difference anyway as they would still base the quote on the least experienced driver so the premium would still be extremely high if my name is on the policy

mike1864 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 20, 2025 10:44 am Have you tried a range of companies?
Their policies vary hugely. A few years back the one I'd been with for 10+ years wanted £5100 to add my provisionally-licenced teenagers to my £300 Vauxhall insurance. But another company offered £350. Guess what i did!
My Minors are with with Adrian Flux; try them?

I’ve just had a helpful phonecall with PeterJames who are going to review my case. No guarantees but at least they are willing to look at my individual circumstances and consider the fact that although my manual licence will be new I am an experienced driver not a newbie. Fingers crossed they can help!

In the meantime I’m trying to push forward with my test… haha easier said then done!