Insurance for zero winter use?

[KevD]

Hi,

I'm going to garage the elise this winter and get a 4x4 for both my use and girlfriends. I never used it much last year in winter so was planning to put in the garage at end of october until start of march. What should I do with insurance if I sorn it?

My current insurance through Henderson Taylor runs out in January, costs me £710 which I paid up front. I've only got one years NCB so trying to build it up.

If I cancel it will I lose the 7 months NCB? Currently trying to get insurance for a shed which would be for me or missus - £700 for a car worth £1200 is a bit of a pain. Should I cancel the elise insurance and use my ncb on the shed?

Has anyone else managed to suspend a policy for a few months then take it back up at end of winter? Henderson Taylor said no one in UK offers it but seems a few do.

[douglasgdmw]

I would try and get your current insurer to put your shed on the policy if you can. Probably easier and don't think a shed would add substantially to you current policy.

Sorry it does not answer your original question

George

[KevD]

Hmm do I speak to Henderson taylor or direct with Aviva?

[douglasgdmw]

I would go through your broker : Henderson Taylor

[robin]

I would have thought they will give you little or nothing back if you cancel, even with 6+ months to run. Were it me I would SORN the elise, put the shed on the Elise insurance, taking what small refund you might get with grace You won't lose any NCB that way. Then next year insure the Elise with whoever you want and whilst shopping for a new policy try to work out whether you can insure for just 6 months (april-sep). Meanwhile keep the shed on the cheapest insurance you can get to amass NCB all year around (we get one of our policies for <200, so not as mad as it seems).

Cheers,
Robin

[tut]

Cancellation return depends very much on the insurance company. We have been lucky, got the full months left from SAGA, Tesco, Admiral and one other.

However things are changing, many will now give back nothing for cancellation, some will not even let you transfer the remainder to another car. Worth checking when you re-insure.

tut

[KevD]

I've asked but can't transfer the elise insurance apparently as it's a specialist lotus policy ( it was significantly cheaper than other options so I wasn't complaining) If I could transfer it I'd be happy to do so without any refund. I'll see if they'll add the shed.

I've managed to find cover for a freelander, rav4, A3 quattro or P38 rangerover ( not the likely option) for £550ish it'sthird party but includes business use. 45p a mile from work will cover fuel and insurance, should lose much in depreciation.


Cancellation on it is £35 and refund pro-rata, via admiral. I get a free meerkat as well which keeps the missus happy.
(She is older than 12 I promise.)

Waiting to hear about a freelander and have spotted a private A3 which I might test at weekend. Got another 4 weeks at least to pick it but prices will creep up I'm guessing.

[tut]

Kev, make sure that 3rd party is indeed cheaper than fully comp. I tried it for the boys and it did not work. Nowadays it is the 3rd party payouts thanks to this referral scam, also scum, 0800 online lawyers, long may they burn in hell, that is costing them.

The actual pay out for the car is not as important as it used to be for a standard one.

tut

[KevD]

yeah it was 650 fully comp and £550 third party fire and theft. Third party only was £1100

I sat for abour 2 hours trying different options, adding parents as drivers etc to see what brings it down. I don't think insurance really makes sense anymore, you can't second guess anything. Its cheaper with me as main driver and girlfriend as named driver rather than the other way round, despite her having a license and NCB for 8 years on another vehicle and I've only had a license for 3 and 1 NCB on the elise. It's maybe tied into the business use for me. We're likely to both use it a similar amount so can put it either way.

I've still to check NFU mutual and two specialist landrover folk, maybe suit. I might try and insure the elise under a classic policy next year so I can use NCB on something else if required.

[vet111s]

Nfu were much more expensive than admiral when I bought the series 3. (3x price almost) Admiral added it to multicar policy for about £240 pa for class one business use fully comp. That and I'm now gaining ncb on 2 different cars which will hopefully be good in the long term.

Ali

[robin]

For obvious reasons, NFU have good rates on Land Rovers, though whether that includes the mostly non-agricultural freelander I don't know - they are good for defenders, though!

Cheers,
Robin

[neil]

You should be able to have the car "laid-up" on the existing policy - covers you for fire/theft etc but no road usage. Aviva certainly used to do it when I worked for them (was General Accident at the time).

[KevD]

I thought that as well Neil but Henderson Taylor said it wasn't an option. Perhaps they meant if I did that I wouldn't continue to build up my NCB? Maybe I should just pay the bills and stop thinking so much