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MG MGA - Useless Insurance companies

I have just insured my MGA with Lancaster insurance a company recomended by the MGOC.
Its for an agreed value with limited mileage.
Now what gets me is that they want you to disclose everything about you and your car, and yet they issue a policy for a MGA that states they will not cover the car for loss or damage if the car is unoccupied and, The car is unlocked or the windows or roof are open.
So lets think mmm MGA no door locks, no windows and parked with a tonneau cover , OH sorry its not insured, did you not read the small print. And they wonder why they have a bad name. Idiots ( Rant over )
R Mcknight

Footman James had the same clause a few years ago. They might still have. I changed companies after they told me that I had to put the hood up even if I left the car unoccupied when I went to pay for fuel. They did relent on the door locks though after I explained there were none.

Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

I'm with Lancaster at the moment, but only because I couldn't find another insurer prepared to cover 'reasonable' risks at a 'reasonable' price. Does anyone know of a better option, as I'm due to renew soon?

Robert
Robert Sinclair

Robert, I suggest that you try RH Specialist Insurance Division, http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/ , telephone 01277-206519.
I have used them for many years, and presently have cover with them for my two MG TCs and MGA-1600.
(Their cover also includes travel on the European continent.)
Mike Card
M D Card

Totally with mike card on this one. Been with them for a similar time.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Many US owners of classic/vintage cars have had a good experience with Hagerty. Apparently they offer insurance products in the UK as well... www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk

George
G Goeppner

I have had a claim with Hagerty. Very good experience with them.
David Werblow

Steve, my insurance policy is about to reach its renewal date and I have contacted RH Classic Insurance to check their cover.

Apparently their policy only covers the car when it is locked away in a garage overnight and they would not offer to cover the car against theft if it is parked overnight on the street.
They would not even discuss the idea of me paying extra for this cover for the odd few days or so that my MGA is parked outside during the year! Which I find odd.

I am in the process of checking a few other companies terms and conditions to see if any of them will cover the car for theft if we take the car on tour to Europe again or join the MGA weekend tours etc.

Footman James, who I am with at present, dont insist on locking the doors or putting the soft top up when you re-fill the tank at a petrol station for example.
But they do insist on the car being locked up overnight.

I will let you know if I come up with anyone who offers cover for even occasional street parking.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Colyn, I have to renew my coupe insurance soon that is with Lancaster. All this is starting to make me question the policy and I guess I'll have to start reading the small print before renewal. Bearing in mind RM's first comments on Lancaster I'd be interested in any comments you or other owners have on Lancaster to give a bigger picture.
J H Cole

I am speaking to Lancaster and waiting for a quote from them (will find out how much tomorrow)
They do cover the car for overnight parking outside for trips and holidays etc as this is considered social use, so this sounds promising.

When I asked about this the adviser was surprised and she said that social use includes holidays and overnight stays, otherwise your insurance is restricted to running your car from home only!

I have to double check with them about vehicle recovery both home and abroad (I think foreign recovery is extra, approx £39 if I recall)

I will let you know what the cover includes and how much it is when I get it tomorrow.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Any comments about Peter Best insurance?
I've had a good experience with them previously.

Mark Hester

I'm insured through Peter Best. I specifically asked about the hood up and no locks nonsense and was assured it was no problem. They expressed disbelief that any "classic" policy could include such a thing.

I have just looked at the policy for the details on garaging. As I get a discount for having the car locked up, then between 10 pm and 6 am if the car is at or near home (or where it is normally kept) I am not covered for theft or damage unless it is garaged. There is a clause allowing for an extra payment that can be made to cover cars left out but off the public highway. If away from home it need not be garaged. This seems fair enough to me.

I have not made a claim so cannot comment on how that is handled.

A friend is with RH and has just had to make a claim as someone ran into him at a supermarket car park putting a large dint in his door. He was passed back and forwards between RH and the actual insurers and putting it mildly is not impressed.


Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

I forgot to say that I called Pete Best today to check their policy regarding parking the car away from home and I was told that my car wouldnt be covered if I didnt park it locked in a garage.

So I didnt bother to ask them for a quote.

Maybe I was given bad information but they seemed quite certain.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

I have been with Peter Best for 20 plus years Malcolm is correct you only have to Garage the car overnight if in the vicinity of your own home. I suspect that was what they meant when talking to Colin.

Just spent a fortnight in Europe Drove over the Stelveo - magnificent only wish it had been in the MGA but there was 4 of us so had to take the family car
Paul
P D Camp

Insurance update. Lancaster are a broker and offered me the cheapest deal with a company called Groupama. This was agreed value and limited mileage, however the small print said not insured if not locked and windows not shut. They spoke to Groupama who said that they did not see the wording as being a problem and as long as i took resonable precautions they could not see why i was not covered for the theft of the vehicle.
However they refuse to change the wording of the policy, so i asked Lancaster to change me to another company.
So for an additional 26 they have insured me with Chaucer and hopefully this has been resolved.
So beware if you are insured with Groupama you may not be insured for what you think you are.
I still thinks its morally wrong for Lancaster as recomended by MGOC to be selling a policy for MGA's that are totally unsuitable . This would also include TA through to TF and early midgets.

CHECK YOUR SMALL PRINT

Roy
R Mcknight

Roy, I just got the quote from Lancaster and also double checked their policy on cover for the car when it is parked away from home etc.

The quote for an agreed valuation, full recovery and european breakdown cover has surprised me, it is over £20 less than I paid last year from Footman James and if I had opted for Uk cover only(no European cover), they would reduce the premium by another £40! (I paid £160 last year)

Also their underwriter is happy to cover the car if it is parked away from home (holidays and social travel etc)for up to 21 days per year. This includes being parked outside in a car park or on the street and being parked with just a tonneau cover on the car. You also dont have to cover the car when you are paying for fuel at a filling station

If though, the car is within a short distance of your own home, they will not cover on street parking and insist it is locked in your garage.

I will definitely check the small print though when if I start with them in October when my need to renew.

Colyn



Colyn Firth

Roy, just checked my Groupama insurance via Lancaster and its as you say. My MGA is currently sitting in the drive unlocked with keys in the house and according to Groupama uninsured with respect to theft. I suppose I'm slightly better off with a coupe that can be locked but its eminently easy to lever the wing light open and unlock the passenger door. Its all very well for a modern car with remote locking but it's a pain to keep locking the MGA. This will cause me to inquire about alternative insurance companies when I reinsure soon.
J H Cole

I checked with Lancaster yesterday. They checked with the Unerwriter and if the car was not fitted with locks when new it would still be covered for theft if left unlocked. I am waiting to get this in writing from them.
John
John Francis

Hi John, Common sense should say that you cannot lock a car that has no locks . If they think it is still covered then they should state it in the small print. After all MGA's are not that rare and Lancaster are recomended by MGOC . But they also say that the roof should be up and the windows shut . So how does that effect owners that who use a tonneau cover .
R Mcknight

John the comment about common sense was about insurance companies , maybe worded that wrong Roy
R Mcknight

This thread was discussed between 10/09/2012 and 23/09/2012

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