Newbie - Considering fulfilling a long ambition

[lansdownplace]

I agree with Bellerophon, and from experience. Most insurance companies are very active in trying to deny claims, particularly around non-disclosure and they all want to hammer costs down. Hiscox have an extremely good reputation on claims. The only good practical example I can give you is on my home insurance, when my son smashed a very expensive brand new flat screen TV playing Nintedo Wi Boxing (He thought the closer you stood the better the boxing). I rang Hiscox helpline and told them what had happened (honestly), they asked for the TV model number, looked up the retail price and the full replacement value less excess was in my bank account the following day.

On getting a replacement car to drive during repairs, be careful, they will reclaim some or all of the cost from you if you don't reclaim all the costs from the other side unless your policy explicitly states that you are covered for a like for like replacement car during repairs. Often they only specify 'a car' and you get a Corsa.

On using brokers, the cost is the same whether you use one or go direct generally speaking. If you have a good broker they will help when there is a claim and do know what to do if it goes bent. You also get a second layer of protection as they are regulated by the FSA. Both the insurance company and the broker are required to 'Treat you Fairly'

As Bristol are the best people to repair a Bristol, I wouldn't use anyone that didn't cover OM repairs. Hiscox policy is summarised here http://www.hiscox.co.uk/personal-and...tor-insurance/ but do use a Broker as you get more leverage. As I said in an earlier post, Chris Bishop of A-Plan is very good and they do shop around. I have used them for almost ten years. 01494 510 520. All in all you get what you pay for.



Paul W.

[richardclarke]

I have had exactly the same problem with SAGA concerning a claim on our day car. A company called Help-Hire supplied a car at £130 per day. The repair at their 'approved repairer' took two weeks longer than anticpated to prolong the hire. I would not enter into the agreement, and Help-Hire didn't realise that I hadn't signed. I told SAGA that my contract was with them and nobody else - they have never responded. RH Hoskin cover our other classics and with one claim in twelve years which was settled instantly with a repair which exceeded the value of the car. They also covered competitive regularity rallies on the continent and one in Iceland at no extra charge.

Richard Clarke

[bkz411]

Not being a frequent contributor to this forum I feel I can add some value
now having just spent weeks trying to get insurance for my 411 s6 which has
had a complete restoration. Having been turned down by footman james (after
days of answering their detailed questions) I finally found
www.norton-ib.co.uk to be the lowest cost and best service. Naturally, you
usually get what you pay for - but at the low price I am paying I almost
thought they had made a mistake.

John

[Bellerophon]

Help-Hire was the same company that Footman James tried to foist me onto,
and the hire people also specified the crash repairers which I was allowed
to use, both of course I did not.

The best advice before you renew your policy is to ask your insurer if they
operate such a scheme and if they do go elsewhere, just hope this will not
spread like a cancer in which case the motoring bodies need to become
involved for in the end the hirers will make large amounts of money and the
cost of insurance will increase for everyone.
My regards,
Bellerophon

[411User]

Oh dear. Helphire. I've had no pleasure in dealing with them recently, after claiming from Footman James to recover my excess after a crash that was not my fault. They sent me a form to fill out - after a year of correspondence, ignored my complaint letters to them (until I sent a private and confidential letter to the MD, and even that only solicited a sorry but so what reply), and even asked me.to contact the Polish driver I was claiming against because they couldn't understand his insurance. I will going elsewhere.for my insurance next time.

Regards

Quentin Brooks

[Aeroman]

Thanks everyone for all the information. I have started working down the list of contacts and these are some of the results.

Firstly, we tried the current insurers of our Morgan's - ClassicLine operated by Boncaster. They said the 3S was not 'old enough to qualify', strange (and disappointing) as the Morgan Aero's are 2008 and 2010 and the insurance cost at an agreed value of £130k each is £900 p.a.

Next tried Norton, they said they do not insure cars with a value over £60k. We have had this response from them before, as they operate the Porsche Club insurance and would not insure our then new 911!

In view of the unfavourable comments about Footman James/AON, I have not been in touch with them; as yet.

A-Plan quoted £1,932 p.a., £1,500 excess and Tracker to be fitted, this is the rate for March which may go up in April. I then spoke to Hiscox and they said we should contact Finch Group Brokers, in Reading, being our nearest brokers. They quoted £1,857 p.a., with Tracker and £1,000 excess - reduced to £1,406 if we put all our vehicles with them, but how much will they charge for the Mog's?

We are still awaiting quotes from Aviva (former Norwich Union) our previous car's insurers, who have changed their mind and said that they will now quote us. And Equity Direct - the owners of Boncaster, who are also willing to quote.

Lastly, a kind owner of a Fighter has offered to get us a quote if we include our house insurance, etc. I must say I am surprised that it is so difficult to get a good quote for a Bristol, especially as we have not experienced this problem before with the cars that we have owned and we have a clean driving record.

We will keep you advised of progress and also of the company that we finally choose for our insurance.

Best
Brian

[Bellerophon]

Brian, you have not tried the best yet! Have a look on the web at Hagerty
Classic Car Insurance who are based at Silverstone and only insure Classic
cars including the most exotic makes.

One of the best things is that if you have an accident they let you chose
who you want to repair your car, that would be Bristol Cars if you so
desire.
Let us know how you get on.

My regards,
Bellerophon