Insurance (not a 'how much do you pay' post!)

jimbugalee · September 08, 2009, 10:18:35 AM

Just about to renew my G40 insurance. Previously my G40 was my second car and I didn't have any NCB on it. I've now swapped my NCB over so my Mk1 has zero NCB and I have 8 years ready to use on the G40 ... perfect I thought!

Well it seems that if you put your NCB on the car you can't get a classic car policy which I was previously on. No massively a problem but it might not be as cheap. i.e. the Mk1 was £100 cheaper for me to use no NCB on rather than my fulll 8 years.

My question is is it worth going fully comp? Looking at paying about £400 rather than £300 for the year. Doesn't seem much but I do have to pay insurance on the Mk1 also so it adds up. Just thinking if I had an accident it is pretty much certain that they would write it off? Also without an agreed value would they actually give me very much? i.e. is it worth going fully comp?

Also - I usually go with Brentacre but it seems Direct Line would give me a similar price (I think you get a good discount for other cars in the house being with them and having your house insurance with them). I assumed it might be better to go with Brentacre as there's more of a chance they'll understand what a G40 is if I did have an accident whereas DL might just see it as a normal car and not be bothered but ... my boyfriend made a good point that you get quite a lot of goodies with DL, replacement car, vandalism cover etc etc.

Opinions? Sorry this is a bit long winded!!

PeteG40 · September 08, 2009, 10:26:55 AM

I normally pay a bit more with brentacre as if you modify it within the bhp bracket they don't charge you... So if you change alloys or lower it, they are fine as long as you tell them. Other companies may charge and admin fee and regard it as modified.

As for fully comp or 3rd party - your call really. I suppose it what happens if it gets vandalised for example...

hayesey · September 08, 2009, 10:46:01 AM

I'm with Brentacre for both my cars. They gave me a full no claims discount on my g40 even though at first I had none on it really - they copied the NCB from my other car (which was about 5 years at the time now something like 7) but also let me build up a proper NCB on both cars. So it was best of both worlds really, good discount on them both and now I have two individual NCBs building up, one is about 7 years and the other 2 years if I remember correctly. NCB doesn't apply to classic car policies, they don't get discount for it and don't build it up.

I'm fully comp on my g40 but not on my passat. Since the G is heavily modified it didn't make much difference but on the passat it would have took it from £300 to over £400 and I took the gamble, it's only a daily driver.

You should be able to argue a good case for getting a decent amount for a written off g40, sure the "book" figure is probably about £300 but you can just send them some for sale adverts showing similar ones selling for decent amounts.

jimbugalee · September 08, 2009, 10:49:34 AM

Quote from: hayesey on September 08, 2009, 10:46:01 AMYou should be able to argue a good case for getting a decent amount for a written off g40, sure the "book" figure is probably about £300 but you can just send them some for sale adverts showing similar ones selling for decent amounts.

My boyfriend mentioned that they would have to prove you could buy the same car for whatever they agreed to pay out and you're not gonna get one for £300!!

I've only literally just modified my G40 so this time will have to declare. How do you go about doing it? I assume it's the BHP increase from the ported charger? of which I have no idea how much. The boost return mod? Nothing else has been done. It's not lowered although I think I might do that in the next year.

hayesey · September 08, 2009, 12:08:35 PM

You just need to tell them whats been done, brentacre will ask for a bhp limit which is what determines the price but they also need a list of what's been done. That's another problem with using someone like Direct Line they wont have a clue what you're on about whereas Brentacre know G40s well and know what things like boost return and toothed belts mean.

Normally when you make a claim for a write off, they'll just try and offer you whatever the book price is, they'll probably have something which just tells them the average price for a good condition mk3 polo and offer you that (providing the car was in a good condition). You then have to argue and show them adverts for g40s selling for whatever...

jimbugalee · September 08, 2009, 12:20:48 PM

Cool - that's useful info thanks.

I can just stick with Brentacre and have a discussion with them re mods. They're really good on the phone and always call me 'Gem' like they know me or something!! lol

G40supercharged · September 08, 2009, 12:33:19 PM

Brentacre cost a little bit more for a standard car but are excellent value once you have modified it. Direct Line etc. will run a mile if you mention any mods. I've always found Brentacre to be very good on the phone; I actually changed to Brentacre from HIC (for exactly the same renewal price) because I got fed up of waiting 20 minutes for them to answer the phone.

jimbugalee · September 08, 2009, 01:16:48 PM

I've always found Brentacre really good on the phone, don't think I've really been on hold with them. I've also changed a few things, addresses (twice!) and cars with no problem.

I have another question. I have a garage down the road from me where I keep which ever car I'm not using. How do you tell insurance companies about this?

Max · September 08, 2009, 01:37:11 PM

Brentacre are decent, always easy to get hold of.

Don't worry about the garage situation, just explain to them and they will be fine about it.

Jezza-7 · September 09, 2009, 03:02:20 PM

I know this isnt " how much you pay" but i have never herd of Brentacre and just got an awesome quote for my other polo. Just wanna say thanks for mentioning them!

jimbugalee · September 09, 2009, 03:04:38 PM

Cool Jezza. I hadn't heard of them until about a year ago so it's always worth scanning the forums to see who ppl use

Tommo · September 09, 2009, 07:57:02 PM

Anyone know if you get 3rd party cover on other vehicles if you go fully comp with brentacre?

jimbugalee · September 09, 2009, 08:17:10 PM

If you are over 25 you get it as standard (on most policies). If you are under 25 you can ask to specify it but it usually costs more.

hayesey · September 09, 2009, 08:22:15 PM

Quote from: Tommo on September 09, 2009, 07:57:02 PM
Anyone know if you get 3rd party cover on other vehicles if you go fully comp with brentacre?

I do on mine. However, Brentacre are only an intermediary so your actual policy will be underwritten by some other company who may or may not have this. One of mine is underwritten by Highway and the other by someone else (can't remember who now) but they both say I'm entitled to drive other cars 3rd party (except hire cars etc...).

Varley · September 10, 2009, 01:49:23 AM

I've been through a few different brokers but ultimately always been insured by QBE (Ensign) or Highway, they both rate on 'bhp from standard' with an agreed value and unlimited (declared) mods I think.

The likes of Adrian Flux, HiC, PD, Hyperformance etc. will all have access to the same products with the same cover and the ability to discount to roughly the same price so you can play one off against the other in some respects.

This leaves the only real difference the service you get from the broker and on that basis I'd recommend Brentacre every time.

Really friendly, really knowledgable and know exactly what a subframe/wishbone conversion is!