Passed Test. Insurance issues?

raskazz

Skintmama wrote: »

Being a classic vehicle the Rover Mini can work out a lot cheaper to insure, likewise old Fiestas etc. We used Footman James to insure our 17 yr old son and it was under a £1000 last year for a Mini Cooper - you pay more for the car but less for the insurance! Usually you need to join as a member of a Classic Car Club to qualify for this discount. A point I am less than happy with though, regarding this option, is that the older cars do not have the safety features modern vehicles are fitted with.

I appreciate it is all very difficult with a limited budget and wish you luck in getting yourself on the road soon.

Our experience has been that it is really worth phoning up the individual companies to get the best quotes having identified likely options on-line.

I wouldn't bother trying Footman James - they have burned and lost their underwriter for the under 21s, precisely due to this sort of consumer behaviour if the classic car forums are to be believed - i.e. young drivers buying "old" cars and placing them on classic policies when they are the only vehicle available to the young driver, modded, not on limited mileage, are ungaraged etc.

mikey72

raskazz wrote: »

I wouldn't bother trying Footman James - they have burned and lost their underwriter for the under 21s, precisely due to this sort of consumer behaviour if the classic car forums are to be believed - i.e. young drivers buying "old" cars and placing them on classic policies when they are the only vehicle available to the young driver, modded, not on limited mileage, are ungaraged etc.

We agree again.

My daughter actually found Swintons were cheaper than Footman James for her classic this year.
She did indeed insure hers with them when she was 17, but only because she wanted the car first, then because they offered the best price.
They are offering renewals I believe, so 18 year olds can still insure, but the cost was too dear compared to others.
It'll be a fight for something comparable to the agreed value compared to what Swinton would offer though.
Other posters say they are offering insurance to 17 year olds though, so who knows?
(As to safety, either you get the car because you want one, or don't get one)

raskazz

mikey72 wrote: »

We agree again.

My daughter actually found Swintons were cheaper than Footman James for her classic this year.
She did indeed insure hers with them when she was 17, but only because she wanted the car first, then because they offered the best price.
They are offering renewals I believe, so 18 year olds can still insure, but the cost was too dear compared to others.
It'll be a fight for something comparable to the agreed value compared to what Swinton would offer though.
Other posters say they are offering insurance to 17 year olds though, so who knows?
(As to safety, either you get the car because you want one, or don't get one)

They are definitely not offering new CLASSIC policies to under 21s - see

http://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20392

which is a club who recommends Footman James on their panel of insurers, the club admin has discussed the situation with Footman James and posted the update so we can take it as accurate. They may however be offering standard private car premiums as a last resort.

From what I gather Footman James are now just a call centre operation rather than a true classic specialist. You'd be better off calling Peter James - the "James" in Footman James before he sold he business - they seem to know the classic market inside out (but going back on topic, not sure what they do for young drivers).

mikey72

raskazz wrote: »

They are definitely not offering new policies to under 21s - see

http://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20392

which is a club who recommends Footman James on their panel of insurers, the club admin has discussed the situation with Footman James and posted the update so we can take it as accurate.

From what I gather Footman James are now just a call centre operation rather than a true classic specialist. You'd be better off calling Peter James - the "James" in Footman James before he sold he business - they seem to know the classic market inside out (but going back on topic, not sure what they do for young drivers).

They quoted us at the same time Footman James if I remember, so they used to insure 17 year olds, but were about twice the price.

I take it you're a Dolomite owner then?

raskazz

mikey72 wrote: »

They quoted us at the same time Footman James if I remember, so they used to insure 17 year olds, but were about twice the price.

I take it you're a Dolomite owner then?

No, I wish I had a garage in which to put a classic! I just take a keen interest in classics as it is a large portion of the business which I individually underwrite.

mikey72

Good time to buy them now, prices seem to be dropping.
After yesterday I was looking at a couple of escort vans for sale, but I really fancy an Anglia.
(Memories from years ago)
I'm just running out of space to put them now though.