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Insurance

Bluebell

Enthusiast
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Has anyone tried to insure a French import car in the UK? I found that because Blanche was a 1990 TL which was not produced in Britain I've had trouble finding anyone. Direct Line will but because I already have insurance on Ermintrude I cannot use my NCB and they are charging me megabucks for a new policy. Is there any other solution?
 
have you tried norich union direct?They let me change my insurance over to daisy from a escort . maybe worth a try:smile:
 
Thanks daisy, but I can't get any quote online because Blanche is a car that just wasn't produced in this country and doesn't appear on the register. I couldn't get anybody except Direct Line to even consider insuring her. I'll just have to move to France quick!

I've just tried Adian Flux who insure imports and I'm feeling a bit more hopeful.
 
I have my cars on a classic policy which gives agreed value in case of loss. A Scimitar, Merc 280CE, R4 and Frogeye Sprite for £160. Mileage is restricted to 6000 but this is no problem.This is with AON of Dudley
 
Thanks Rudi, I did try Endsleigh and they put me on to three insurers that will take imports, Adrian Flux, Swinton and AQuote. Swinton were the cheapest at £307, Adrian Flux at £337 compared with Direct Line £468. I can't use a NCB as Ermintrude has that, so it was a bit of a shock as the most I've ever paid for any car insurance was £150 (inc. legal claims and £100 excess).
Useful research for future reference, thanks folks!
 
Renault 4s are funny things to insure. Mine is with direct line for cheap, though it's a late UK car that's still on their books. A fish around the money supermarket and confused.com websites is a good shot for the modern policies.

For classic policies (better as they don't require no claims, just a good driving history) the AON Dudley folk sound like they are favorable to Renault 4s, but a lot of the classic people (Adrian Flux, Lanacaster, Footman James) don't seem at all interested. Wonder if the kit car insurers would be worth a try.

Maybe it's time to get the frog on the phone to try and sort out a favored "club" insurer for "Clementine's very official sounding and almost club like Renault 4 forum" . Shall check with Derek next weekend to see if the Renault clubs have anything lined up.
 
I'm with Liverpool Victoria, (don't know if they do lefties though!), and at under £70.00 fully comp with disclosed medical history etc, i'm not complaining.
For the life of me I can't understand why insurance companies are charging so much for an underpowered cheap to repair little car like the R4, even if it is left hand drive?

Rudi.
 
See if Confused.com will give you an online quote - I'm really shocked at the prices you have been given.
Thanks Steve, but I can't get any online quote because they just don't have 1990 R4s on the books and I can't get past the bit where they ask you the registration number or the year. I'm thinking of disguising Blanche as a 1986GTL! :wink:
 
Sounds like a good idea in the name of common sense!! A piece of documentation, grinder, electric drill, and a few pop rivets :)
 
i once taxed and insured an engine because the car i had did not have a tax but the guy round the corner still had the mot and log book from a car he had scrapted .but that was a good 20 years ago!!:wink: :wink:
PS You need the log book to get The number plates.Unless you get one from a diifrent shop.
But this is an how to story,incase blanche wants a new pasport.
Remember,where there is a will there is a way!!! :)
If you are passing daisy lives on the corner of north farm road and st wilfrids avenue.
Went past a few days ago and saw ermitrude,she looks great!!
Linda.
 
I have just heard about this company that owners of classic BMW bikes are using. They are very pleased with the quotes and looking at their website, they appear to be sensible and listen to what the owners want. They do insure classic cars so why not give them a ring to see if they can help. They don't do online quotes and you have to speak to a real person!!

http://www.lynbrookins.co.uk/www.lynbrookins.co.uk/frames.php
Thanks Steve, I think we're on to a winner. You remember I'm paying £468.30 with Direct Line for Blanche? I sent off a form to Lynbrook with the same details, Comp + spouse with £100 excess, 4,000 miles and value £1000, and I got back a quote for £186.06. This also provides free Uninsured Loss Recovery and free UK and European Breakdown and Recovery. If you say you want to do 8,000 miles and don't manage that in a year Lynbrook will give you a deduction from your next year's premium. Also, if you get a club official to value the car you can send in a couple of photos to get an agreed value cover.

Sounds good to me, I'd add Ermintrude too when her insurance expires.
 
Just thought you might like to know insurance costs in France
I pay 68 euros a year for a R4TL tpf&t and 120 euros on a R5 diesel
Comprehensive is point less in France They will never pay out
 
Thanks Martin, I'm looking forward even more to coming over. We're looking to buy a place in the Saône-et-Loire region hopefully and Blanche can go back home!

By the way, I've just renewed my bike insurance with Lynbrook too and they are nearly £100 cheaper than my previous insurer. I'll be able to afford another R4 soon. :wink:
 
It may be worthwhile going back to directline and asking about their multi-car discount. I have 2 R4F6's insured with them, the second of which is a 1985, spanish origin, LHD estate car (as far as I know a model never sold in UK). I was given a second car discount equal to my NCD on first, and I earn NCD on this as well (although the second car discount reduces by an equal amount, which means the two policies cost the same each year). I just had a quick look on their website and it would appear that this is still available, and it only needs to be second car in same household, not just same policy holder. The telesales people are simply not so bothered (or not encouraged) as to think of offering this.
 
Thanks Tracey, Direct Line do indeed insure a second car taking into account the first car's NCB. I didn't want to do this because I've got my first car insured very cheaply with SAGA and I'm only halfway through that year's policy. It would have cost me about twice that amount to insure her with Direct Line, and I'd only get a small proportion of the unused premium back.

So far I've saved £400 by changing the second car and the motorbike to Lynbrook. I owe you a pub meal Steve. :D
 
So far I've saved £400 by changing the second car and the motorbike to Lynbrook. I owe you a pub meal Steve. :D

Wow, that's the biggest saving reported to me so far when recommending an insurance company. Yes, I know a good pub called the Savoy in London - look forward to the meal:wink:
 
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