Q1- What is the definition of a classic vehicle for insurance purposes ?
A-The age of the vehicle plays a large part in this decision together with what the vehicle is used for.Most insurers will allow vehicles that are at least 15 years old on their schemes. Some will allow younger vehicles they see as future classics on their schemes.For kit cars and other unusual hobby vehicles such as Fire engines age is not so important
Q2-What age do you have to be to take out a classic policy on your own ?
A-Most insurers have a drivers starting age of 25, although we have obtained policies for younger drivers where for example they already have a policy on a standard car in their own name with a no claim bonus and the classic is a low risk. We find these clients normally come from a car enthusiast family
Q3-Can I have a named driver under 25 on my classic policy ?
A-One of our panel of insurers will take named drivers over 21 if they have their own normal car and a clean record . It is expensive
Q4-How quickly can I arrange cover ?
At the moment if you are a new inquirer by phone or email,we are not able to place you on cover immediately when you find our indication acceptable. We need you to read the information sent to you, complete the proposal form and return it to us with your payment. If you are able you can call into our office, read the information and complete the forms. Then we can arrange immediate cover within our office hours.Outside those hours by appointment. We will move to a position in 2005 where you can print off the proposal form etc from our site and then fax it to us. We are looking at ways to pay us other than by cheque/cash and for real time monitoring of our client bank account to see your payment direct into our account and thus place you on cover.
Q5- What is the difference between market value and agreed value ?
Most of the insurance on standard vehicles is on a market value basis to allow for depreciation wear and tear to the vehicle. The market value being the price you would expect to obtain for your car in the open cash market. With classic cars this market value at the time the policy is processed becomes fixed in advance and thus agreed. In the event of a claim that is a total loss you are paid this fixed agreed value. At the moment we do not have an insurer who will cover the cost of recreation. Many owners who pay garages to rebuild their cars can spend more than the finished car is worth on the open market.
Q6-How can I be sure the insurers will agree the value I propose ?
A-There is only one way,that is to submit the photos and other supporting documents to the insurers for their views on your value before cover is arranged. Perhaps a 7 to 10 day process. We are happy to carry this out on your behalf without charge if you wish. However we find 95% of the values proposed are accepted by our panel insurers and agreed without a problem. Most of our clients do not wish to wait.
Q7- I do not have the required photographs to send with the proposal form ?
A-We can arrange cover without them ,then as long as we have them from you within 30 days on photographic paper signed and dated on the back. We are allowed continue your cover past the first covernote and the insurers will issue the policy.
Q8-Can I email the photos to you ?
A-The main problem here is most of our panel insurers require the photos to be signed and dated on the back. We do have the facility to print your photos if sent in the J peg format on to standard size photographic paper. We can then post them back to you to sign and date. The cost is £1 per photo to cover our extra time and costs.
Q9-Can you take the photos for me ?
A- For our local customers we can take and print the photos at our office by appointment. The extra cost is £1.50 per photo
Q10-Do you charge an extra fee to agree a value ?
A-No we make no extra charge nor do the panel of insurers we use.
Q11-I do not have a garage, can I have a classic car policy ?
A Yes provided its a good post code area and the value of the vehicle is under £20,000. We have one insurer willing to consider the risk.
Q12- I / we do not have a second car used as my /our every day transport . Can I have a classic car policy ?
A-Yes we have one insurer who will take those risks with an extra charge
Q13- Can I the policy holder commute to my normal fixed place of work ?
A- That depends on your insurer/policy and the use you have requested. One of our panel gives this cover without charge another charges extra if this cover is requested.
Q14- What happens if I get close to my milage limit on my policy ?
A - You can contact us with your current milage reading and upgrade to the next limit and pay the extra.
Q15-What happens if I go past my chosen milage limit on the policy and do not upgrade ?
A-Your insurance is not valid. You could end up paying your own claim and someone elses if its your fault.
Q16- Can I have breakdown and recovery on my classic car policy ?
A-Two of our panel of insurers offer this cover. One as an optional extra and that includes EEC countries . The cost is determined by the milage band chosen .
Q17- I want to use my classic for business, can you arrange this cover ?
A - We can arrange this cover depending on the business activity carried out.From the wedding hire and special vehicle hire business, to the solicitor wanting to visit his clients in his classic car on a nice day.Some business use a classic commercial vehicle for business purposes. Each quote is an individual off book rate and some times we will use a standard non classic policy to obtain this cover
Q18- Can I have Third Party Fire and Theft cover ?
A-most classic policies are based on a form of comprehensive cover that includes accidental damage to the insured vehicle . On some 4X4- classic commercials and motorcycle policies we can offer TPF&T cover but then the saving is so small,it may not be be worthwhile.
