Car Insurance - ABI code problem?

Ingold

Hi All,
Long story but I'm having problems trying to insure my second car as it isn't listed on any insurance database, so I've been in touch with Thatcham Research who were extremely helpful and quickly assigned an ABI code to my vehicle and updated their database. However the insurance companies & brokers haven't updated their records so still can't insure my vehicle; have emailed & telephoned numerous attempts to my brokers, insurance companies and even the ABI but no joy yet. Was hoping that someone on here works in the insurance industry so could advise me?
(Interestingly GoCompare & Confused.com do list my vehicle, but as insurance companies don't recognise my vehicle they come up with zero quotes)
Paul.

Sandtree

Main suggestions would be to look at the big motor insurers like direct line, aviva etc who use their own analysis or alternatively speak to brokers that have specialists insurers on their books like Equity Red Star... the later won’t be cheap because they’ll consider anything and thats all much more manual and so expensive but it may be better than nothing.

Ingold

Sandtree said:

Main suggestions would be to look at the big motor insurers like direct line, aviva etc who use their own analysis or alternatively speak to brokers that have specialists insurers on their books like Equity Red Star... the later won’t be cheap because they’ll consider anything and thats all much more manual and so expensive but it may be better than nothing.

I've emailed Performance Direct & Adrian Flux, both specialist brokers, but no replies yet; also ongoing emails with my current brokers, Hastings Direct, but little progress.

Sandtree

Probably better phoning than emailing unless its not urgent.

What is the car?

Ingold

It's not urgent as it's a second car, a 2007 Alfa Romeo GT. Just getting frustrated with brokers & insurance companies, you would think they would update their records on a daily or weekly basis? Thatcham updated their records on the same day they received my email, amazing service!

paddyandstumpy

Car lists form part of of insurer rating specs, and tend to be updated monthly, at best. 

I doubt insurers would update car lists more frequently than that! 

How has it been insured for the last 13 years if it's an 07 plate car, unless it's an import?!

Ingold

paddyandstumpy said:

How has it been insured for the last 13 years if it's an 07 plate car, unless it's an import?!

Import, this is where things get complicated; service book says the PDI was done in '07 by a dealer called Landers in Dublin, though first service was in Nottingham and has been in Midlands ever since; have been in touch with Alfa Romeo in Italy who were helpful and told me that the "assignment code" for it is Ireland, so is it an import? AR sent me the documentation they have which is sparse, even the name & address of original order is missing.
Most databases don't recognize the Reg number, but some list it as an Alfa 159 4 door saloon (it's a 2 door coupe), whilst another one says it's a Guilletta, so looks like previous owners have had same problem.

paddyandstumpy

If it's an import that opens up a different host of 'issues'; most mainstream insurers won't offer terms to imports. 

Your  best bet is a specialist broker like Flux, who have access to non standard insurers like ERS. 

Just don't expect to pay standard insurance prices, bespoke insurers aren't usually cheap and insuring an import isn't usually as cheap either.