Multi-car or Specialist Insurers - anyone used one?

[X5Sport]

Right, here's the problem.

I have my own car (E53) and SWMBO has hers (E46) each on our own separate policies. I have an E71 on order and expected in mid November. I was going to P/Ex the E53 as part of the deal, but SWMBO now wants us to keep it and she will run it.

Her insurers (that Antipodean lot with the entertainers in pink sequin dresses who can almost sing) won't put both cars on a policy, and also won't insure anyone with 0% no claims even though she's an existing customer with max no claims on her current car so they ought to gove her some credit on the second policy, but alas no.

I'm not too keen on the seafaring officers 'multi-car policy' as they seem to have a very poor record for dealing with customers and seem cheap until you need them in anger at which point the policy costs go through the roof.

Has anyone got a so called 'Family Fleet' policy, or used a specialist insurer to give them cover on more than two cars? What are the snags, or things you need to be aware of?

[finnie]

I just took out a multicar poplicy with admiral having been with them single car for years. I had another kit car on a kit car policy with another firm but they wouldn't insure the 911. Admiral were great but I could only provide a letter stating 1 years claim free motoring rather than no claims. However they helped me out and I put the X5 on 1 years NCB and the 911 on 9 years. No probs and not too bad value either. Both cars less than 1100. I'm 33 with 1 policy with 9 years, both cars garaged

[pvr]

Isn't there a small print caveat that if you want to take a car out of the multi car policy, you don't get the NCB to go with it? I.e. they "summarise" the NCB and allocate it across all cars, but do not allow you to take that out?

[rconwa11]

The whole house is with the talking red phone and mouse. I am only 25 so we have 3 cars and a van insured with them and the total for all the polices is cheaper than anywhere else in total. I have poor history so their no claims keeps my premium low. We also have a van insured with them which is also included. Give them a try. On a plus side named drivers earn their own no claims to take to their own policy as your youngsters grow

[pvr]

Named driver no claims discount is only recognised by that insurance company though ...

[Minda]

Hi could put you in touch with a local broker, he may be able to help, pm me if you would like details

[X5Sport]

Minda,

Most kind. We're awaiting a couple of callbacks and if they come to nowt we may take up your offer.

[Minda]

No problem!

[CondorX5]

Likewise I get great service from my broker - we have 6 cars insured via them, and while they aren't always the cheapest I've been really happy with the service and sometimes cheapest is not always the best.......

[pvr]

But isn't a broker just a front man? In case of an accident, do you contact the broker or still the insurance company?

[Minda]

[quote=""X5Sport""]Minda,

Most kind. We're awaiting a couple of callbacks and if they come to nowt we may take up your offer. [/quote]

How did you get on then?

[x555]

[quote=""pvr""]But isn't a broker just a front man? [/quote]
Exactly that mate and all your doing is paying him/her more to do your dirty work.
My mother had her car insured with a reputable company through a local broker for years and then told me what she was paying.So i said i would have a look on the tinetrnet for her and i got the same insurance,same set up/policy and get this...through the same company for over £100 less.
All you are doing is paying the brokers cut which is adding to your cost now that may be easier with several cars etc but for me it's just mad paying someone else to do it for you when it's so easy now with the internet.

[X5Sport]

[quote=""Minda""][quote=""X5Sport""]Minda,

Most kind. We're awaiting a couple of callbacks and if they come to nowt we may take up your offer. [/quote]

How did you get on then?[/quote]

Got some interst, but no one will give a quote more than 30 days ahead. At the last check, my X6 was at code 5300 - Pre Assembly Start (7th Oct) No idea how long it stays in that phase, but I think it means the body is built and painted (as of 6th Oct) but someone is checking carboard boxes for all the rest of the bits. I'm hoping that once we get a real build date then I can work out a more accurate delivery date and get some real figures.

Due to SWMBO having had the front bumper of her E46 nicked (within 1 metre of our front ddor and we never heard a thing), some insurers all calling that a full theft rather than damege caused by a theft we're having some challenges. Apparently BMW will only provide replacement items in the same trim that the car was built to, so anyone with a lower trim wanting an upgrade can't get one so the B'stds nick em instead!!! This was major issue three years back. The UK Police apparently suggested that BMW change the mounting bolts but with no interest.

What we've been recommended to look at is putting the E46 on a 'Modern Classic, Restricted Mileage Policy' and just running the E53 on a normal policy. It's still work in progress, but the figures coming back are double what she currently pays, which makes no sense. The ball is in her court and is rolling but not very fast at present. I'll hint (remind strongly) that she needs to get on with this.