The 'E' Type Forum

Hi
I was just wondering if any body else has got this clause on there insurance. I have just renewed my insurance and just received the policy, one of the clauses is that the car is locked in my garage between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am, not a problem I've had this before but it also states fire alarm warranty. My trade is an electrician and I have installed countless numbers of fire alarm systems but I have never heard of or installed one in your avarage domestic property. I have spoken to Adrian Flux insurance who too there credit tried to be helpful but the girl didnt fully understand she suggested it just screwed to the ceiling, when I explained these are smoke alarms not fire alarms she was lost. I asked what type of fire alarm system they wanted a basic brake glass system to warn everybody else in the garage of a fire 3m x 6m or do they want a full sprinkler system that is linked to fire brigade and a designated meeting point on my drive for the staff or maybe just the wife. I can see the funny side of this but we all know that insurance company's will do anything to get out of paying if there's a claim. I have left it with the insurance company and they are getting back to me on Monday. The insurance company is Zenith marque, has anybody else got this clause on there policy it would be good to know if it's standard on classic policies I haven't had it before.

Phil

I've never heard of Zenith marque, and I have not see this sort of stipulation before . What is the actual wording - in particular, who is warranting what, to whom, and when?

EDIT : I have now seen the Zenith specimen classic car policy . Section 6 which deals amongst other things with overnight storage, does not contain this stipulation in normal circumstances. However, a special clause may be included (Endorsement SMK5 ) which states

Overnight Storage & Fire Alarm Warranty
Section 6 – “Overnight storage” is amended ( My emphasis )to read as follows:–
Between the hours 10pm and 6am while your vehicle(s) is (are) parked at or within
one kilometre (0.6 mile) of
• your home, or
• any other address where your vehicle(s) is (are) normally garaged/stored if
this alternative address has been specifically agreed by us.
Cover under this section of your policy is inoperative and of no effect unless your
vehicle(s) is (are) stored in a locked private garage or building that has a fully
functional fire alarm installed and activated.

Is this the one to which you refer, and has it been substituted for the standard term in your case? Your schedule should show which endorsements are applicable to your policy, and this will only apply if endorsement SMK is shown on the schedule

Thanks for the comprehensive reply
In the list of endorsements on my policy SMK is stipulated as well as SV1 overnight storage and burglar alarm warranty. When I spoke to Adrian Flux they agreed that the SMK endorsement does apply to my policy. I will wait and see if I get a reply tomorrow if they insist on this endorsement I will have to cancel this policy and find another one without it on

Thanks

Phil

Try Admiral! No silly rules, good rate, good agreed value and will include it on a multi-car policy if you want.

Phil : that really is a bit of a bastard, and frankly I cannot see what good it does . By the time a fire alarm goes off in the middle of the night and you get out there, what are you supposed to do ? ... drive a blazing car out of the garage

I have had good service from Peter James, which has its dedicated classic car department

I've just looked at my policy with Heritage and it only states that it needs to be in a locked garage, Mine is in a lockup some distance from my house. I've had electricity put in to make life easier but how would I run a fire alarm or burglar alarm and know if they go off?

John

Thanks for your input
Perhaps they think I'm Chris Evans neighbor and share his garages.
I'll let you know what they say on Monday if they are still insisting on it I'll try the others you have suggested.
I could always fit a break glass and a sounder in the garage I'm sure I've got some old ones in the stores at work this should help to put the fire out!!

Phil

All these clause are put there to avoid paying out. I always tell insurance companies I don't have any when I actually do. You can bet your bottom dollar that if the alarm is not set or not working when something happens they will use it as a reason for not paying out. It might cost me a little more in premiums but I do not have to worry if I do forget to set the system.
A friend of mine is a solicitor whose job it is to look for reasons not tho pay.

I have just had clarification on the clause in the policy stating a fire alarm to be fitted to my garage they are now saying that it only needs to be a domestic smoke detector. I'm not sure what use this is going be if the car catches fire in the garage while I'm in the house watching TV but if it keeps them happy I'm going to screw one up. I have made sure that I've got this in writing just in case.
You are right about not telling them everything about what's fitted to the car, I have fitted a cat1 alarm and a self monitored tracker on it that texts me as soon as the alarm goes off. I didn't tell them all this as I'm sure they would use it against me if the car was stolen and my premium wasn't any different.

Thanks for all the replies

Phil