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A brief guide to insurance.....
Welcome to my insurance page. Ever since I passed my driving test I have waged a
war with insurance companies to beat them at their own game and get the cheapest
quote possible. The following list is my ever growing telephone book that I call
every year in an attempt to save money - it works!
(Telephone numbers updated Feb 2004 - some information may be older)
Things seem to have improved a little as far as my premium goes this year - my renewal with Dorset
came in £90 cheaper than last year. One point to note, £30 of that saving was due to me telling them
to reduce the value of my car from last year's value - remember that one! One point of concern at the
time of writing (August '02) is that there seems to be less companies willing to insure modified imports
this year. I only managed to get 4 quotes this time but I did only ring 30 people. Boost controllers
seem to scare insurers a lot - in fact modifications in general seem to totally confuse the person
giving the quote. I spent a long time explaining what each modification did to some people just so
that they could add it on their predefined list. Bear this in mind as your Apexi AVC-R could end up
being listed as a bleed valve - and replaced as such if the worst happens.
Unfortunately MR2 premiums do seem to remain high, especially for the imports - I can only think
that this is due to the cost of parts and the false impression companies have that all J-Spec parts
are unique whereas we all know the UK and J-Spec models share a lot of common parts. Even the Turbo
shares parts with the UK Celica GT4 - insurers really need to wake up as to how cheaply you can
repair an MR2 if you know where to get the parts.
AON seem popular with people I have spoken to this year, I was very unimpressed with the service
I got from them when getting a quote - 30 minutes on the phone and then they refused to quote. I'm
pretty sure this was due to the 'phone monkey' not understanding how to list my modifications. You
may have more luck with them if you have a standard or mildy modified car. I'm still happy with
Dorset, the level of service and cover shines out above the others by a long way - Thanks Sarah!
As ever just ring them all and eventually someone might come up with a sensible quote.........
A few tips before you ring:
1. Ring as many companies as you possibly can - each one will try to beat the last
companies quote by a nominal amount - add all these nominal amounts up and you
have a major saving!! For example Barclays will usually beat your lowest quote by £7,
Tesco do this as well - usually with a lower excess.
2. Never accept a renewal quote - ring your insurer and tell them you intend to cancel
due to a cheaper quote - they may knock some money off your renewal as a token gesture.
3. Remember to decrease the value of your car each year you renew - the insurance company won't!
4. Be honest and chatty with the insurer - build up a rapport - these people
are humans and CAN save you money if they want.
5. Consider your job title and it's associated risks - tweek it a little if necessary but don't lie.
6. Knock £10 off your lowest quote before you ring the next company - they always
ask how much other people are quoting and will always try to either beat the quote or
match it with added extras such as legal cover etc...
7. Beware of companies who just ask for a numberplate as evidence of the car model, many
people I have heard from have discovered that the details a numberplate search bring up do not
match the actual car - for example one chap's plate listed a '94 MR2 Turbo as a 1999 1.6 MR2,
no such car has ever existed!
8. Disclose EVERYTHING about the car and modifications, if the worst happens and you need to
claim the insurer WILL look for ways to get out of paying you out - undisclosing things such as
different alloys or the car being an import are a sure way of invalidation your cover.
9. Consider increasing your excess to see if reduces your premium - from my experience it
doesn't make a huge difference but it does no harm to ask.
The above tips have saved me £'s over the years - hopefully this page can
help you do the same, let me know how you get on!
Handy Insurance Company Numbers
Work your way through the list for cheaper insurance
Click here for sample MR2 quotes(*) indicates companies who have refused to quote on imports
1ST CALL 0870 6077770 1ST QUOTE 0870 4444070 1ST PREMIUM DIRECT 0800 224455* 1ST NATIONAL DIRECT 0800 597 1454* 1ST STOP 0700 00121 121* (unable to quote imports on Saturdays) 3 PLUS DIRECT 0800 27 33 33 123 INSURANCE 0870 1203 123 (Privilege in disguise?) 1ST SECURE 0800 515307* (unable to quote imports on Saturdays) 1ST ADVANTAGE 0800 250 500* 17 TO 40 DIRECT 0870 6071740 0700 2 INSURE 0700 2 467873* 1066 0800 99 1066* A+ 0800 279 0427 A QUOTE 0800 773000 A PLAN 0845 071 1234 (Import Friendly) ABBEY & BRAGG 07000 828000 ABBEY NATIONAL 0800 670 630 ACADEMY 0800 7314984 AA 0800 444 777 ADRIAN FLUX 08700 777888 (Import Friendly) ADMIRAL 0800 600 800 ALLIANCE 0800 500 111 ASHBOURNE 01992 622365 AON 01384 552670 (Roadster Division) AUTODIRECT 0800 600 100 AXA 0800 0139 292* BARCLAYS 0870 6001415 BASILDON 0800 652 3963 (Import Friendly) BELL DIRECT 0800 140 180 BENNETTS 0990 202090 BENNETTS ELITE 0870 6061626 TALE BHP 08707 57 69 69 Bid4MyBusiness Submit details once for multiple quotes BUDGET 0800 801 954 CARTER GILBROOK 0870 751 9999 CHRIS KNOTT 0800 917 2274 CHURHCHILL 0800 200 345* CIA 0870 444 2 666 COLONNADE 0800 678 678 Confused.com Multiple quotes from one input CONVICTION SPECIALIST 0800 197 6210 COVERSURE 0113 2326004 CROWE 0800 331 441 CROWTHORNE 0870 770 2935 DEMON PREMIUM 01635 520555 DIAL DIRECT 0800 068 8001 DIAL 0800 0800 1235789 DIRECT CHOICE 0800 0 88888 DIRECT INSURANCE 0800 230 303 DIRECT LINE 0845 246 6246 DORSET 01202 302888 (MR2 Drivers club discount) TALES X2!! EAGLE STAR 0800 333 800 EGGER LAWSON 0115 941 5255 ELEPHANT Visit website and use "ringback" ELSTREE 0181 386 7766 EXPRESS 0800 197 6211 FIRST CLASS 01977 700008 (Conviction friendly) FOOTMAN JAMES 0845 330 1662 GEOFFREY SIMMONS 0845 665 0768 GREENLIGHT 08707 GLADIATOR 0800 90 80 80 GUARDIAN 0800 28 28 20* HALIFAX 0800 200 370 HAINSWORTH WATTS 01274 619002 HASTINGS DIRECT 0800 00 1066 HIC 08451 290 290 HYPERFORMANCE 0800 409 6603 HELP 0800 11 22 33 INSURANCE 4U 01902 829 190 INSURANCE FACTORY 0870 777 8181 (Import Friendly) INSURANCE SERVICES 01902 454 300 KEITH MICHAELS 0208 642 7868 KWIK FIT 0870 050 777 LIVERPOOL VICTORIA 0800 514 514 MIDLAND 0800 072 2345 NORWICH UNION 0800 888 111 ONE 2 ONE 070000 121 121 OPI 0870 242 0800 (Import Specialists) OSBORNE & SONS 0871 222 8247 (Import Friendly) PEART 0870 240 2972 PERFORMANCE 08700 46 65 79 PERFORMANCE DIRECT 0870 420 3901 PLATINUM 01233 713305 PREMIUM CHOICE 0870 770 0136 PREMIUM SEARCH 0800 10 9 8 7 6 PRIVILEGE 0845 246 0287 QUOTELINE 08700 667 666 RAC 0345 121 345 ROYAL & SUN 0800 300 220 SILVERSTONE 0800 096 888* SHARP 0800 328 1545 SUPERCAR INSURANCE 01604 615400* SWINTON 0800 600 700 TESCO 0845 300 4400 TETT HAMILTON 01275 792270 THAMES CITY 08705 133 360 TOUCHLINE 0800 207 800 TSB 0800 731 3687 ULTIMATUM 0870 44 22 155 UNIVERSAL 0870 608 2323 WARWICK DAVIS 01903 238889 WILLSURE 0208 855 6133
ANYONE MISSING? WRONG NUMBER? LET ME KNOW
'91 MR2 GT Turbo T-Bar - 17" Wheels, 265bhp and more mods -
26 years old in West Yorkshire
no points on license with 8 years protected NCB
premium of £760 and £250 excess
Company is Dorset
"No extra premium for modifications, MR2 specific policy - Dorset win again"
(Quote added August 2002)
Standard MR2 Turbo
- 33 year old male in Argyll
no points, full no claims
Premium of £476.78 with £250 excess
Insured with Hastings Direct
(Quote added August 2002)
MK2 G-Limited, 16" alloy wheels
20 years old in CR5, Surrey
no points, zero no claims bonus
Premium of £2236 with £350 excess - Third Party, Fire and Theft
Insured with Adrian Flux
Adrian Flux was one of only 3 insurers from about 50+ that would
offer insurance. Tesco and Norwich Union offered quotes of £2500
and £8000 respectively. The quote for £2236 from Flux incorporates
1 claim of £1100, 4000 limited milage and a Thatcham cat 1 alarm.
(Quote added July 2002)
'93 MR2 GTS Turbo (MKII)
25 years old in Manchester
no points on license with full NCB
premium of £825 and £250 excess
Company in question is
'91 MR2 GT Turbo T-Bar - 17" Wheels
24 years old in North Yorkshire
no points on license with full protected NCB
premium of £472 and £350 excess
Company is Crossgate
"Can't fault them on anything so far - cheap and cheerfull!"
(Quote added August 2000)
'91 MR2 GT Turbo T-Bar - 17" Wheels
25 years old in West Yorkshire
no points on license with full protected NCB
premium of £847 and £250 excess
Company is Dorset
"No extra premium for modifications, MR2 specific policy - you need to join MR2 Drivers Club to take out a policy"
(Quote added August 2001)
'90 Turbo T-Bar
23 years old in Cheltenham"Cheapest quote by far with excellent service and cover.
No problems with modifications, no extra premium for fitting big alloys"
'90 MK1 T-bar
"they are all rip off merchants, but you need a piece of paper to satisfy Mr Plod"
'88 MK1 SC
"very good (so far)"
MR2 G-LTD (IMPORT)
27 years old & one named driver
5 years protected no claims bonus
premium of £522.00
Company is
MR2 GT T-Bar Turbo
1994 GT T-Bar Turbo
'92 UK GT NA
26 years old in Berkshire"Dead helpful - never claimed though, so I can't comment on the really important stuff"
'93 UK N/A T-bar
25 years old in Northants"I went with them 'cos they seemed to be one of the few who will insure you if you've modified your car"
2000 MR2 Roadster (just under £21,000 w/mods)
Age 22 near Cambridge
3 yrs no claims, no points
Quote of £562 with £475 excess
Company is Admiral
1991 MR2 T-bar turbo
30 and rising! London (Outskirts, border with Essex)Comments on service so far: Well, they beat the rest by £200!
Back to top
1991 MR2 Turbo T-Bar GT
£30 off because I put my dad on the policy
1985 MR2 Mark 1
Also gave me full NCD on other car insured with them, efficient, friendly and helpful when setting up policies
1989 Japanese MK1 Supercharged
With Dorset for the 3rd year running-very impressed at how easygoing they are. Beat my nearest quote by over £500!
Back to top
1997 MR2 T-Bar
No extra charge for non-standard wheels
These quotes are provided as a guide - individual quotes are based on your own personal details
These comments have been submitted to me and do not necessarily reflect my opinion.
DORSET INSURANCE
"I have had to use the service of them twice now for accident repair. The first was very major resulting in a rebuild
to both front and back of the car, no doubt a financial write off. However Dorset believed in the enthusiasts value of
the car and the go ahead for the repair was given at the end of the same phone call that reported the accident. I was
able to have the car repaired to my standards and specification using genuine parts.
The only delay was because of parts delivery from Japan. The car was back on the road in about 6 weeks which was
almost a miracle when looking at the damage!! I know of administration hick-ups and larger quotes than other companies
but the test of any insurance is when you use them and having had hassle with previous cars and insurance companies
I do not mind paying for the peace of mind given that they match other quotes!"
DORSET INSURANCE (AGAIN!)
Tales to tell eh? How about the following...
Dorset Insurance... (a.) Failed to tell me my insurance policy had expired until 8 days after the fact!
(b.)Could not provide me with a certificate of NCD entitlement within a reasonable period, so late in fact I had to get
my new insurer (Bell) to phone them directly and get the information they needed before they would be forced to
cancel my new policy!
They also insist upon membership of the MR2DC before they will offer you terms (their words not mine) so add £35
to each premium for the DC membership as the rest of the club I have found to be virtually worthless, not worth £35.
In addition, the 15% discount is now old hat... unless they have decided to bring it back, something I doubt. While they
will match your cheapest quote, so will most brokers, whereas they used to beat it by 15% that made the DC membership
worthwhile on its own. Bell were over £250 cheaper for me than the DC quote of the year before. I refuse to believe that
and addition 15% for the extra years NCD would make that much difference.
Even if Bell were £250 more expensive I'd still use them for the simple fact that they are never engaged, you never seem
to end up in a queue and all the people I've spoken to have been friendly, interested in your problem(s) with your policy
and have been able to help immediately. Since they have what seem to be "interchangeable staff" in other words they all
have access to the same information and the same authority to deal with problems, I've not spoken to the same one twice
yet, but they've all had the same degree of customer service skills.
Incidentally... my only connection to Bell Direct is as a customer... so this isn't a sales pitch ;-)
The only connection I would ever countenance with Dorset again would be with my size 11 steel toed boot ;-)
"I was already insured with Bennets Elite and I renewed my insurance by phone2 days prior to the expiry of the old
policy (Jan 99). Two weeks later I hadn't received a new cover note, after a 30 minute queue I contacted Bennets and
was assured the policy was in place and the cover note would follow shortly.
In March I received my Visa Statement and noticed there was no insurance debit. I contacted Bennets (failed to get in the
queue for several hours and then waited 30 minutes in a queue) who said they had no record of my renewal, my previous
phone call, etc. etc. so I had been driving for almost 2 months without insurance through little fault of my own."
IF I'VE MISSED ANYONE OR YOU HAVE ANY
TALES TO TELL (GOOD OR BAD) ABOUT THE COMPANIES LISTED LET ME KNOW.I HOPE THIS LIST SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY - FEEL FREE TO SEND ME ANY MONEY YOU HAVE SAVED
!SUBMIT YOUR QUOTE FOR OTHERS TO COMPARE
Which Model MR2 do you drive?
What type of insurance do you have?
Third Party
Third Party, Fire and Theft
Fully Comp
No Insurance
Unknown
How many years no-claims do you have?
Do you have protected no-claims?
Yes
No
Unknown
Do you have any points on your licence?
No
Yes (please give details below)
Is your car modified?
No
Yes (please give details below)
NAME
AGE
E-MAIL
PREMIUM
EXCESS
INSURER
TOWN/CITY
POSTCODE
TALES OR ADDITIONAL COMMENTS RE MODIFICATIONS, POINTS, CLAIMS ETC
YOUR DETAILS (Optional although premium details would be appreciated)
My Comments for the page in August 2001: Premiums seem to have really gone mad in 2001, my own renewal in August resulted in my premium being double the price of last year. Why? Who knows! I'm a year older, have 7 years NCB and the car is identical to how it was last year - many insurers who had quoted me last year now refuse saying they are no longer competitive on imports. Many insurance people I have spoke to blamed the rise in premiums on companies like Claims Direct and the fact that insurance companies now have to pay for ambulance costs after a road accident - thanks Mr Government! As ever just ring them all and eventually someone might come up with a sensible quote.........