The 'E' Type Forum

Hello need advice on insurance companies. Have been with Adrian flux looking at changing as policy is ending and we to a lot of trouble last year to get an agreed value but they wouldn’t have it and value the car way too low for my licking and would like to try someone new with less hassle getting agreed value. Any recommendations would be a great help
Cheers james

Hi James

It can be a bit of a minefield as different people can get completely opposing services (and therefore opinions) from the same broker.

So I can only speak as I find. I have been with FootmanJames for a few years now. Value the car at what I am happy with, policy costs are pretty stable year-on-year and European breakdown and recovery is included which is great for trips.

I am sure you will get many other suggestions too.

Let us know who you go with.

Cheers
Ash

I am with Lancaster at the moment. I got agreed value but it took them an age. Was with Peter Best before....might go back depending on quote from Lancaster this year....who knows... Do remember that the value you estimate may not be what they think, what ever company you use....and it is certainly the case that, for most e types, values have fallen over the past 12 months so your £100k agreed value 12 months ago may well be £90000 now....quite justified in my view. Agreed value should reflect the cost of replacing your car in case of total loss. If prices fall the cost of replacing also falls. I anticipate my agreed value falling this year....means a lower premium I hope

I just wanted an agreed value that was far and I would be able to buy another car with but my renewal doesn’t allow this so pretty pointless having it. Looks like I will be having a big search

I have an agreed value policy with Hagerty which was based on photos provided to them. I have 3 of my cars on the one policy and find them really easy to deal with and very personable.

Regards

I use one of the many price comparison sites. Yes, they do classic car insurance. Then I add in some of the specialists that do not allow their prices onto these sites, like Aviva, Direct Line, and those that offer special deals through a club. (They are never in the same ball park as the cheapest from the price comparison site.) Those that advertise in the specialist press (Jaguar Driver, Jaguar World, Jaguar Enthusiast etc) will charge more than those that don't. Adverts are expensive. Then starting at the cheapest, I check what I get for my money. All comparison sites have a compare feature allowing me to match features on several policies.

Beware that (a) one of the biggest variable components of the premium is the agreed value. (b) All insurers will quote on the basis of an agreed value and then arbitrarily reduce that value after they've looked at the photos. I make sure they know I know this in advance and that arbitrarily reducing the value after the quote has been agreed will result in the contract being rescinded due to bad faith. (c) Garaged (at home), alarmed, tracked, advanced driving qualification, limited mileage, no European cover (unless specifically required), no break down cover, no legal cover - all reduce premiums, as does a large voluntary excess. (d) the first year premium will ALWAYS be discounted. That discount will not be repeated the following year. (e) the quote will nearly always be from a broker/agency, not the underlying insurer. I always check the insurer's credentials. (f) Most of the time the person on the other end of the line (there will always be a phone call) is a poorly trained, underpaid call centre worker. I treat them accordingly.

Just my 2d.

Note also that IPT is now 12% so 12% of your insurance premium goes to the Treasury.

If you are a member of a Jaguar Club like the JEC - most insurance companies will accept the clubs valuation of your car. With the JEC, its a very simple process that gets turned around in about 1 week.

I'm sure you will get many opinions - so here is mine.

I've just used Classic Line. Agreed value was given at £85k for my car based on photographs, the addition to the premium was £24. Service seemed good - although you never know until claim time.
Classic Line apparently allow photo proven valuation up to £100K.

Previously I've used Lancaster but got cheesed off when I cancelled the policy due to sale of the car and the cancellation cost equaled the refund of premium.

Another vote for Hagerty Insurance. They are efficient, sensible and well informed. I was with Adrian Flux prior to this and was less than impressed, particularly over the issue of an agreed valuation. No I have no personal interest in Hagerty!

I’ve had a good experience with Hagerty, agreed value on a laid up policy, easy to deal with and I felt good value.
I have no connection with them other than a policy holder.

Bizarre I know, but I use Admiral with a multi car policy. Cheap, good service ( including answering the phone) and no problem with agreed value.

Hi - like Malcolm, use Admiral multi-car, too.

HI Hagerty are a very good company i have a classic policy with 7 bikes and my etype i had a no fault accident in my etype in france last year they were fantastic there European recovery picked it up from the accident site within 30mins and paid for taxi to airport the flight and taxi home the car was brought back home in 2 weeks i had a bit of a problem with the insurer they use hiscoc but the MD of hagerty got on the case and sorted it was a 30k repair they paid me on a cash in lew settlement as i repaired it myself and it was not put on HPI. They agreed all my agreed value bikes and the etype immediately with no hassle on just photos no reports in total i have 160k worth of cover for less than £500 a year
Regards Rob

I am surprised no one has mentioned Peter James Insurance. Peter was the James in Footman James, before he left a few years ago, not happy with the way his company was being pushed into corporate oblivion. Why do I deal with Peter James; it’s about service when you need it. I’ve read many posts here trying to scrimp the last penny on a quote.....Most of the companies should accept a dealer or a car club valuation, if not don’t use them. There are enough E-types on the market at present (because no one is buying them!) to understand where values are. Putting that to one side, who is going to look after you when things go wrong? Peter James paid out ( or their underwriters did) in two weeks when a Concours condition Series 2 I had just bought was written off by a BMW who shunted the rear ar a road junction. I might save a few quid changing, but understanding what quality of service means, it’s never worth it.

Barry wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 28, 2019 7:42 am

Peter James paid out ( or their underwriters did) in two weeks when a Concours condition Series 2 I had just bought was written off by a BMW who shunted the rear ar a road junction.

My insurer would also give me the salvage for "free", with no deduction from the agreed value.

And your insurer is ???

Apologies for the delay , just been out for dinner + pint of best ,,, the insurer is RH Insurance .
No affiliation to me , the clause is maybe of interest to some owners though as it should always retain ownership .


https://www.rhspecialistinsurance.co.uk/

Agree with comments about Adrian Flux. I have an MG TD with them, asked for Agreed value, sent all photos off with full information about the nut and bolt rebuild it took them over a month to come back to me and would only insure the car agreed value for what I paid for it even though it was valued on a replacement basis at a higher value. They then refused to even consider my protest. Won't be insuring with them at renewal. My other cars including the E Type are with Admiral on agreed value basis. I will always check premiums with other insurers at renewal, as Insurance Companies always favour new customers. A bit of a source of annoyance for me. Why don't Companies see that that they p*ss off their existing clients. Your best client is your existing client!
Mike

Regarding "new versus old client", with all policies, car, house, plumbing etc etc, I phone every year at renewal and just say I want e new client quote or I'm going. Never been refused. Always save loads.