Specialist Car Insurance

Comparing Specialist Car Insurance Just Got Easier!

2010-03-27T22:10:00.003Z

Specialist Car Insurance Comparison Website Adds New Insurer To Panel
Press Release from Car-Insurance.TV

Dated: Mar 27, 2010

Comparing Car Insurance just got easier with the launch of a new specialist car insurance comparison system from Adrian Flux and Car Insurance Television.

The UK's specialist car insurance comparison website Car-Insurance.tv has announced that it has added motor insurance specialist Adrian Flux to it's ever growing list of partners, allowing it to provide quotes for a much wider section of the car insurance buying public.

A spokesperson for the car insurance comparison company said,
"We are very pleased to welcome Adrian Flux Insurance onto our car insurance comparison system. The addition of Adrian Flux Car Insurance services to our website users allows us to offer much wider covers to all members of the public including those with convictions and medical needs who cannot get or are refused cover from the standard insurance companies and their websites."

He added, "Furthermore it allows us to expand our already large area of specialist schemes to provide cover for just about every type of vehicle ever manufactured. We are now able to offer instant cover for Q plated , kit cars and even quad bikes and trikes right through to specialist schemes for the luxury, performance and prestige end of the market, such as our Lamborghini or Bentley cover schemes."

"Our mission at Car Insurance Television is to provide the cheapest and widest car insurance covers in the UK and to make them easily accessible for the buying public who have in the past often been kept in the dark by the larger organisations about the availability and competitive premiums that are offered by smaller company car insurance schemes."

Amongst the new types of specialist car insurance that are now available from Car-Insurance.tv are
schemes for:
Young Drivers
Female Drivers
Drivers with 2 or more previous Accidents / Claims
Drivers with 2 or more driving convictions
Drivers with any criminal conviction
Any driver with disability or medical condition
Any person who has had insurance refused / cancelled
Drivers over 75 years old
Drivers with non standard occupations i.e. Footballer, Actors, publicans etc

You can find out more about these covers by visiting http://www.car-insurance.tv or by phoning for quotes and advice on freephone 0800 089 0182

Category Car insurance, Classic Car Insurance, Specialist
Tags car insurance, classic car insurance, specialist car insurance

City/Town Central London
State/Province London
Country United Kingdom

specialist car insurance

Specialist Motor Insurance: Groupama providing added value to their current Motor Fleet Insurance Policies.

2010-01-27T13:30:00.002Z

Following on from the relatively successful Optima Small Fleet Insurance product, French insurer, Groupama has further enhanced its current Fleet Insurance Policy meaning that the owners of larger fleets can now also benefit from some of the cover that was previously only available to those who operated either small or micro businesses.
This is great news for brokers who have a commercial agreement in place with Groupama as these additional enhancements are likely to provide an additional sales edge for those targeting the highly competitive SME market.
Groupama fleet insurance is designed to provide car insurance cover for fleets in excess of 15 vehicles. It is well favoured within the industry and operates across numerous trades within the motor insurance sector. As a result of the recent changes, Groupama fleet Insurance now includes enhanced overnight emergency accommodation or travel expenses as well as having a new personal accident benefits package incorporated into the policy also.
The company, who have a reputation for responding to feedback from their brokers and intermediaries, appear to have also taken heed of some recent advice as they seem to have presented the policy in much plainer English, something that they (and most of their peers) seem to have struggled with in the past. The advantage of this is of course is more clarity for the consumer, meaning in essence an easier sale for the broker.
Groupama's Head of Customer Proposition, Lynn Harris says "Our strategy of obtaining broker feedback on our products and service on an ongoing basis means we can see immediate opportunities to refine and enhance our propositions to keep brokers one step ahead. This, along with the success of Optima Small Fleet has really driven these changes and demonstrates Groupama’s commitment to giving brokers the tools to compete effectively."
For larger fleets, Groupama are now also offering access to an impressive range of risk management facilities via specialist driving consultancy Peak Performance Management. One inclusion within the policy which is often regarded as Peak Performance’s flagship tool is Risk watch, which enables the policyholder to train key personnel in how to conduct and implement an in-house driver risk assessment programme. The advantages of ingraining risk management concepts within the core of any organisation of course being good for insurer, broker and policy holder alike.
Also provided by Peak Performance Management for the policy holders are a series of ‘all of a sudden’ work shops, which set out to examine the circumstances surrounding the most common types of road incidents. In these small, focussed workshops, the participants are made to ‘discover’ the driving behaviours and techniques that will help them being involved in similar accidents.
To follow this work shop is a structured training process named ‘behind the wheel’ which is designed to improve driving skills and raise awareness further of risk management when driving. Peak Performance Management also provide Driver handbooks to help policy holders meet their duty of care as well as providing advice on how to reduce motoring costs through greater understanding of fuel economy and tyre wear etc.
With the Motor Insurance sector looking towards a tricky year in 2010 as underwriters face the challenge of working towards profitable margins, and brokers look forward to some uncomfortable conversations with long standing clients about the inevitable rise in insurance costs, additional benefits like these could make a lot of difference when it comes to renewal time.

It looks like Groupama may well have just gotten the first shot off in what could well be a long and protracted battle within the motor insurance industry in 2010.

specialist car insurance

Compare 4X4 Insurance Quotes and Schemes at new 4X4 comparison site

2010-01-15T13:25:00.003Z

New Specialist 4x4 Insurance and Off Road Vehicle Insurance Comparison Website Launched

A new specialist 4X4 insurance comparision service has been launched by the UK's leading specialist car insurance comparison website Car-Insurance.tv. The site allows 4X4 owners to find quotes, policies and cover, for their four wheel drive vehicles.

Compare 4x4 Insurance Quotes & Schemes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PR Log (Press Release) – Jan 15, 2010 – Car-Insurance.tv have today announced the launch of a new specialist 4x4 insurance comparison online application available at http://www.car-insurance.tv/4x4insurance.html

A spokesman for the company, Dave Healey, said that the system has been designed to cover all 4X4, 4WD, AWD, Off Road cars and high performance 4X4 vehicles with central differentials and multi-clutch systems. The policies offered include typical usage extras sought after by 4x4 owners such as towing, extra laden weight and off road cover.

The 4x4 insurance schemes are available to everyone and our system will find you cover even if you are a higher risk customer such as a Young Driver, have had Accidents / Claims, 2 or more driving convictions, Any Criminal conviction, Any driver with disability or medical condition or even Any person who has had insurance refused / cancelled.
Cover is also available for both the Channel Islands & Isle of Man covered

Customers who own 4X4's but have Non standard occupations i.e. Footballer, Actor etc can also be covered.
The system allows you to compare 4x4 insurance quotes and covers for all makes and models of 4X4 and four wheel drive cars, including all models from the following manufacturers: BMW, Ford, Jeep, Hummer, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota to name but a few of the makes available at the 4X4 insurance comparison website.

specialist car insurance

Car Insurance Premium Hikes Set for 2010

2010-01-01T16:46:00.005Z

It looks like the UK motorist will be paying a lot more than what they have been used to for Car Insurance in 2010!

With both car insurance comparison website car-insurance.tv last week predicting a hardening market for and now the AA predicting massive premium hikes this is unwelcome news for both the private car owner and the UK economy as a whole, which hardly needs any more inflationary pressures.

Owners of specialist or expensive cars are more likely than the competitive middle market, to feel the brunt of the car insurance premium hikes.

Here's what Insurance Blog has to say on the matter..........

UK Car Insurance Rates Must Harden As Loss Making Companies Claims Reserves Run Dry!

Incredibly Car Insurance companies in the UK are struggling to make a profit and 2010 is likely to see a large reduction in the supply of car insurance, with many famous brands and suppliers predicted to disappear from the high street and our television screens as the market adjusts to cater for the massive losses, according to analysts from car insurance comparison website Car-Insurance.tv.

Recently released figures show that the UK Motor Insurance market has been consistently losing money since 2004 when the total UK profit from underwriting car insurance policies was £77 million.
In 2007 the UK car insurance market made a £1.1 billion underwriting loss, last year the loss was £1.3 billion and the figures for 2009 are expected to be worse........

Very few car insurance providers have escaped the losses and are profitable, whilst many have released claims reserves held from previous profitable years to disguise the 'actual ' loss.

So what is causing such massive losses in a large compulsory market that not so long ago was the most aggressive in the world?

On the face of it the answer appears to be simple ...... The Cost of Claims!

Claims are the problem not because the Car Insurance Companies have failed to include the rising costs of claims into their pricing structures; but because they have failed to cover the true costs in the retail price!

Car Insurance underwriters seem to have forgotten the basic rules of betting when setting their prices - and that is, that the Bookie never loses.......

To understand where the car insurance underwriting companies have gone wrong you first need to examine how they arrive at the price of a car insurance policy premium.

The cost of your car insurance premium is basically made up of three components:

1. The costs of production - Staff, Systems, Distribution etc
2. The costs of losses - known claims ratios ( the proportion of a policy premium pool that gets eaten up in claims)
3. Profit

The cost of all these components can be calculated by clever people called actuaries who work for the insurance companies and the rates set accordingly.

So what's gone wrong?

Well naturally it is obvious to first look at claims as the cause of the losses - but the truth is far from this end of the life of a car insurance policy......

The frequency of claims has either fallen or remained fairly constant over the period of losses and the actual cost of claims has only risen by 1 percent.

Despite all the noise made about gangs of car insurance claims fraudsters roaming the streets of the UK, the fact of the matter is that most of this is propoganda aimed at deterring fraud which naturally rises during a recession/depression. The number of fraud cases are really insignificant in the true scale of the market to affect pricing.
Admittedly there has been a significant increase in the number of personal injury related claims, egged on by claims farming companies, which would affect long term pricing, however the losses experienced by Car Insurance companies are nothing to do with claims and claims pricing.

These type of claims fluctuations have always been dealt with successfully in the past by car insurance companies by adjusting reserve ratios or negotiating better re-insurance ( laying the risk off), or more importantly by adjusting price ........

But this time something is different....

Car Insurance Companies can no longer set the price! Not if they want to win the business anyway!
And they certainly cannot sell policies at the premium levels that the Actuaries suggest!

Why? Seemple .......The Internet!

And more importantly Car Insurance Price Comparison websites or aggregators as they are known in the industry, which account for around 90 percent of the Car Insurance sold online. Since around 2004 it has been possible to easily compare car insurance quotes online from numerous suppliers, and invariably the cheapest premium wins the business.

Car Insurance companies not longer set their own prices! And this is the problem!
In a race to achieve enough volume to make a book of car insurance business profitable the car insurance companies have been selling their car insurance polices too cheap and covering their losses with their claims reserves........time is running out!

For the consumer then as we enter 2010 it looks as if the best policy is still to visit comparison websites where you will be offered a choice of suitable policies at the most competitive prices.
If you stay with your current insurer - expect large premium hikes at renewal!
Shop around for specialist car insurance as prices are going to vary widely.
Visit a specialist car insurance comparison website as there will be many offers to be had as companies try to secure volume of car insurance policies.

specialist car insurance

Schumacher Needs New Mercedes-Benz Insurance

2009-12-23T15:37:00.004Z

Michael Schumacher Will Need Mercedes-Benz Insurance!

Michael Schumacher, former multi World Drivers Champion has announced his F1 racing comeback for 2010, at the ripe old age of age of 41. If he wins the championship he will be one of the few to come out retirement and achieve past glories. The last was Nikki Lauda.

From Car-insurance.tv:

Schumacher has today announced his intention to drive in next years 2010 F1 season for the Mercedes Brawn Team, in the position that was left vacant by the departure of current F1 World Champion Jensen Button to rivals Mclaren Mercedes.

The drive is worth an estimated Â£6 million for the season, although already sceptics are lining up to doubt whether he will go the whole way.....

Schumacher speaking on Sky News, said that he has been in training all summer and autumn to recover from the neck injury that kept him from replacing Massa in the Ferrari team back in June, and that he felt 100 per cent capable of the drive.
He is also looking forward to competing against some of the younger drivers like Massa and Hamilton for the first time.

In reality it will be difficult for Schumacher to compete against the likes of Hamilton and Button at Mclaren, whose cars were getting better with every race towards the end of last season.

There is though the 'Button' element that gave Brawn such a flying start last season when every one in the Motor sports world had written off their chances before the start of the season.
With Ross Brawn at the helm and Schumacher at the wheel anything can happen....

Then there is also the question about engines. surely Mercedes will favour their own team over McClaren?

It's going to be a very interesting 2010 F1 season......

In the meantime Michael scumacher is going to need Mercedes Insurance for all those lovely Courtesy cars and gifts that the Mercedes-Benz people are going to shower him with..

Well Michael, you need to look no further than Car-Insurance.tv to get the best car insurance quote for all Mercedes models at the Mercedes Car Insurance comparison site.

Compare Car Insurance online for all UK Cars at Car Insurance Television.

Specialist Car Insurance Unaffected By Success of UK Government Car Scrappage Scheme

2009-12-12T17:10:00.006Z

Car Dealers across the country are urging the UK Government to extend the car scrappage scheme well into the summer of 2010, in order to help maintain increased sales levels of new cars and boost the local economies.

Under the current scheme, buyers can qualify for a £2,000 discount on a new car with a trade-in on a vehicle that is more than 10 years old.

The scrappage scheme was launched in May 2009 with £300 million of funding from the Government and car companies. It will run until March 2010, or when its funding runs out, whichever is sooner.

The scheme continued to help new car sales in August with sales up 6 per cent from a year ago, the second consecutive month of growth.

However, sales so far this year are still 21.5 per cent lower than the same period in 2008, showing that the recession is still biting and questioning the overall impact of the policy. Car Insurance revenues are down in parallel to sales.

In July 2009, UK car sales rose by 2.4 per cent, the first rise since April last year which must given all the other economic factors of the time, be attributed to participation in the scheme.

Dealerships across the UK have reported an upturn in sales as a result of the scrappage scheme with small, low-priced models proving the most popular.

The effect on the specialist car insurance market has been minimal, although one could argue that many future classics have been taken off the road and crushed.

Increased sales in new cars combined with a downturn in production levels from all UK car manufacturers has meant that some new models are now difficult to get hold of.
You have only got to look at the amount of new cars, or lack of them, that appear on the new series of Top Gear, to realize there is something very wrong with the UK Motor Industry.

As a result of the shortage of new models and a waiting list, some car auctions are reporting knock-on benefits as buyers choose used small cars if new models are not available.

James Hawkins, director of Truro-based Hawkins Motors, said he would like the scrappage scheme to continue.

"It's had a massive impact. We're probably getting 200 enquiries through a month. I would like to see it extended at least until the spring," he said.

"In terms of what it has done for the business, it has increased sales rates probably by three times. Korean brands are doing very well. Cars around the £5,000 mark are setting the theme and can be difficult to get hold of.

"The recession has had an impact but this has taken some of the problem away."

It appears that for many small regional dealerships across the UK, the Government Car Scrappage scheme has been a great sucess and has helped the overstretched economies of rural communities such as Cornwall, through the worst of the current recession.

specialist car insurance

An Introduction to Classic Car insurance for new owners

2009-11-20T09:42:00.003Z

If you are one of the lucky ones who has recently bought a classic car, resident classic car insurance expert Dave Healey has some useful advice on the differences between classic and standard car insurance covers.......

Classic Car Insurance - A Beginners Guide For New Classic Owners
By
Dave Healey

If you've just bought your first classic car you will need to consider not just where, but also how you are going to insure it.

As a classic car owner it matters not if you drive a perfect condition Ford Capri 3 litre from 1970, a beat up old Morris Minor from the Sixties or a sleek E-type Jaguar in British racing green, it is essential that you find the best classic car insurance cover for your cherished motor, that covers your individual risks at prices that won't break the bank!

If you have not owned a classic car before it is important to realise that there are basic differences between what is known as a standard car insurance policy and the cover offered under one defined as classic, from a specialist car insurer.

The first thing to establish is whether your car is eligible for cover under a classic policy. One way you could do this is ask the previous owner whether it was covered under a classic car insurance policy and with which insurance company.

Different classic car insurance companies have different definitions of the age and type of vehicles that can be covered under this type of cover.

What might be easily covered with one provider may be excluded by another. Fortunately most online classic car cover providers provide this information on the first page of their websites, so it is fairly easy to surf around and check your eligibility with different insurance companies.

You should check that both the eligibility of the age of the car in question and also whether there are policy restrictions for your individual driving circumstances, such as your age that would prevent you from applying for cover.

The major variation between a standard policy and those offered by the classic car specialists is in the way that you use your classic vehicle, and in particular, how much you drive it. The large mainstream insurers and price comparison sites will offer cover for older cars but will charge an additional premium because of its age. They will also load the premium if replacement parts for the vehicle type are known to be expensive.

More importantly you will only be offered the current market value replacement if the car is covered under a mainstream policy and is deemed to be a write-off when you claim.

With a standard car insurance policy on a replacement like for like basis, the value of the car is often set by the market value at the time of a claim, typically taken from one of the car price magazines such as the UK's Glasses Guide. The amount you will be probably receive for a write-off will be at the current market value of your car which is an annual depreciating amount. Inevitably, if you own a classic car and insure it under a standard policy contract, this leads to under valuation and under insurance of the true value of the car. You will also probably not be offered the salvage and a repairable classic car may often be deemed a write-off because the cost of repair is uneconomic to the Insurer.

If you purchase a specialist classic car policy you will be offered a choice of either an agreed valuation of the classic cars worth or a policy based on market value.

An agreed valuation amount is the amount that the insurance company will pay out in the event of a claim that results in a write off. This is a major benefit of insuring classics under specialist policies because it ensures that you are not just properly covered but will also receive the specialist repair services that your classic will require should you claim. It should be noted that even agreed valuation polices can change and you should ensure that the value is guaranteed for a certain period of time to avoid fluctuations in market values.

Classic Car insurance polices are therefore tailored to the needs of cars considered to be collectable and effectively the valuation is a rating factor for the condition of the car.

The other major difference between standard and classic policies is in the way that you are allowed to use your car under the terms of the agreement. Originally this type of vehicle insurance was designed for drivers who do not use their classic cars much.

All classic car policies have a limited mileage clause which only covers the vehicle for an agreed amount of miles per year. Depending upon which specialist car insurance company you use, there will be a limit to how far you can drive your classic. Some providers will only cover a couple of thousand miles per year under the policy, but many specialist car insurance providers are now offering cover up to ten thousand miles per year. These policies reflect the fact that many drivers now use modern day classic cars as their main form of transport.

As with all car insurance it is important to compare both covers and prices when shopping around. There are many specialist classic insurance providers available online today and many specialist schemes that are targeted at particular classic owners. Compare the premiums offered by these with those from the price comparison sites, but if you want to avoid disappointment if you need to make a claim, be sure to understand the difference in policy covers.

The Internet has made it very easy to Compare Classic Car Insurance that was previously only available from specialist car insurance brokers on the high street. You can find those offering special deals and bespoke schemes for your particular classic by searching for your model type classic car insurance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Healey http://EzineArticles.com/?Classic-Car-Insurance---A-Beginners-Guide-For-New-Classic-Owners&id=3280405

specialist car insurance

Get Specialist Car Insurance If You Need Specialist Repair Services

2009-11-03T18:40:00.004Z

When buying car insurance policy it is essential to look at what is offered should you have an accident and need to a claim.
After all, you are only insuring the car to have the potential to make a claim should the worst happen and the cover is only as good as the insuring company's claims department.

With the hardening of rates in the UK car insurance market and the recession, price is most peoples consideration when purchasing cover, but one of things you should not overlook is who is going to repair your car if it is damaged in an accident and you need to claim?

This is especially true if you own a non-standard car? Non-standard are cars that don't fall into the mainstream set that the large insurance companies like to cover. Surprisingly a large number of vehicles fall into categories that the majority of mainstream insurance companies do not want to cover!

Such examples that may struggle to obtain motor insurance at reasonable rates are owners of high performance, prestige, expensive, luxury, grey and foreign imports, kit cars and q plated cars, sports cars, convertibles, muscle and modified motors, vintage, veteran, collectors and classic cars.

More importantly if you are the owner, if something happens and you need to make a claim on your policy, it is important that your car gets fixed by specialist professionals, using the correct parts and not cheap substitutes. More often than not these type of car repairs require unique tools that are only available through specialist engineers and motor engineering repair shops that deal with particular models.

So it is most important when comparing car insurance to also compare the services that a car insurer offers in the event of a claim, especially those regarding choice of repairer. Bear in mind that cheap car insurance bought through a car insurance comparison website offers no claims services and it will be up to you to fight your corner in the event of a claim, if you don't agree with what the insurer is offering as recompense.

All specialist car insurers and many insurance companies will offer a choice of repairer - many others will not as they have existing arrangements with so called approved repairers.

Trouble arises when an insurance company insists on employing a particular firm to fix the car against the policyholder's wishes, and it is not uncommon for major disputes to arise at this point.

For example, the insured may have an expensive Italian sports car bought from an exclusive importer and specialist firm of dealers who added a number of accessories and or modifications to the car at the insured's request at the time of sale; the same firm may have performed all the routine servicing since the sale and the insured may genuinely feel that they 'know' his car better than anyone else could, and that only they, in consequence, should be entrusted to carry out the repairs.

If the repair work quoted in an estimate by the specialist firm is substantially higher than that expected from the approved repairer and the car insurance claims department consider that the approved repairers are capable of carrying out the work to the same standard as the specialists , then the only way out of this impasse is usually for the insurance company to suggest that the insured pays the difference!

Clearly then it is very important to understand what you are buying with your policy when it comes to claims and repairs. Specialist car insurance policies always offer unique claims repair services and if you own an unusual, expensive, classic car or performance motor, then it would be sensible to opt for a specialist classic car insurance or performance car insurance policy, that includes these repair services to avoid the above situations. What might look like a cheap policy might turn into fools gold in the event of a claim!

specialist car insurance

Specialist BMW Classic Car Insurance Comparison site launched

2009-10-28T17:26:00.005Z

Insuretec have today added over eighty specialist BMW classic car insurance schemes to their highly successful specialist car insurance comparison website car-insurance.tv.

The website offers cheap car insurance for owners of older BMWs and bespoke cover where appropriate. BMW were first founded as a motorbike company in the middle of WW1, however the factory in Munich Germany has been making classic cars since the early 1950's.

You can compare BMW Classic Car Insurance schemes for all of the folowing BMW range:

BMW Isetta, BMW 501/502, BMW 3200 CS, BMW New Class, BMW New Six, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW M Series, BMW Z Series, BMW 8 Series and BMW Compact to name but a few.....

specialist car insurance

High Performance Car Insurance - Not just Ferrari Insurance!

2009-10-22T16:13:00.004+01:00

Specialist car insurer Insuretec has announced that the latest of its specialist car insurance comparison systems, dealing with high performance car insurance is now online.

Spokesperson for the company, Patricia Powell, which operates the UK specialist car insurance scheme comparison website said,
"This new venture which brings together over eighty high performance car insurance schemes, and allows customers to compare products and tailor bolt on covers is a follow on the success of our make model insurance comparison applications, for example the Ferrari Insurance comparison.

Specialist Car insurance is growing and more schemes are being added all the time as various providers cater for more niche groups in an ever competitive market. Our website allows customers to get the best cover for the best price, and with the price of high performance car insurance, we beleive and our customers report that we are providing a valuable service!"

specialist car insurance

Jaguar Insurance - UK Jaguar attempts to raise £1 million for charity.

2009-10-22T14:15:00.003+01:00

UK Jaguar attempts to raise £1 million for charity.

By Blogger Kris Oldland

As one of the most famous names in motoring the Jaguar brand defines style, elegance and quality. So it is no surprise that when a new brand line is launched there is always some what of a stir amongst the motoring fraternity.
However, this time the Coventry based luxury car giant is announcing its latest line, the XJ with even more splendour than usual and other than raising the profile of their latest dream on wheels they are also quite admirably hoping to raise some serious money for charity at the same time.

In an effort to raise over a million pounds for the UK based children’s charity the NSPCC the kind folk at Jaguar are offering all performance car enthusiasts the opportunity to get their hands on the first customer-ready model before anybody else in their new prize giveaway.

Entrance to the competition costs £125 per ticket and the good news for Jaguar fans is that they can buy as many tickets as they want to improve their chances of winning this fantastic motor which is retailing at a cool £62,000.
The competition was launched by Geoff Cousins, the managing director of Jaguar UK who commented on the new line saying “Our new Jaguar XJ is a blend of stunning design, intuitive technology and innovative thinking” Scheduled for general release at the beginning of 2010; the XJ is available in four different specifications: luxury, premium luxury, portfolio and supersport.
All the money that is raised through the promotion is to be delivered to the charity’s three year-year funding drive, which is aiming to improve the service on helplines which offer children and also adults concerned about young peoples welfare a line of communication.

However should you be the person lucky enough to win this motoring delight you certainly want to ensure that your Jaguar insurance is up to date should you be intending to stop off in Chislehurst in Bromley, London as it has recently awarded with the dubious award of having the highest amount of motor claims involving theft within the United Kingdom.

Also residents of Wingate, Cleveland and Redbridge, Ilford may want to make sure that they have a strong policy in place as well as a reliable vehicle alarm as both areas finished high on the list of vehicle theft hotspots as revealed by the study published by comparison website moneysupermarket.com.
Head of Motor insurance at the comparison site Steve Sweeney commented "The research reveals a broad mix of places across the country are at risk, highlighting the issue that no matter where you live there is always a chance you could become a victim of theft and motorists should take this risk seriously,"
Sweeney also urged drivers to remove any valuable from their vehicles every time they leave no matter how short the stop as the temptation of an opportunist crime can often lead to the full theft of the car particularly when the vehicle is a non-standard or performance car studies have shown.

Compare Jaguar Insurance Schemes Online

specialist car insurance

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance

2009-10-21T10:43:00.003+01:00

Finding Cheap Car Insurance Online
By Dave Healey

Finding cheap car insurance can be like looking for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Everybody is looking to make savings on their annual motor insurance premiums as the recession bites. We offer 7 proven money saving tips that will help you purchase cheaper cover online.

1. Improve you car's security to deter theft

Virtually all modern cars and newly bought vehicles have in built anti-theft devices and alarms. As long as they are approved by the UK Government testing agency known as Thatcham, you will receive substantial discounts for implementing one.
Extra and additional security measures such as window and glass etching of your cars number plate details and engine number will command further discounts with some insurance companies.

2. Pay for the cover upfront

You could save as much as twenty five percent on your annual premium charges if you pay for the whole years cover upfront, at the time of purchase. Most car insurers charge this amount in interest over and above the basic premium cost, for the privilege of paying for the cover in installments or by credit card. Additionally avoid untried pay as you go insurance schemes - you may be in for a very unpleasant surprise.

3. Do not change cover mid-term of the policy

It is also a wise move not to change your car insurance provider in the middle of the current policy term. Primarily it is going to cost you more, as canceling an existing policy will only get you a small return on your annual premium and not a pro-rata payout for the amount of time you have left. Secondly it is highly likely that car insurance premium rates will have hardened or risen over the course of a policy and changing mid term will only ensure you pay more earlier.

4. Do you own more than one car? Try a Multi Car policy

If you own more than one car and perhaps have separate policies for these or for your wife, partner or children it would be worth your while investigating multiple car or mini fleet family policies. You may be surprised at how much you can save on annual premiums if you insure multiple vehicles under the same cover. Quite often the cost of insuring two cars can be virtually the same as one, particularly if one car is much more expensive than the other.

5. Keep an eye out for Group Discount policies.

Many car insurance companies offer premium discounts on cover if you belong to certain clubs or are affiliated with certain organizations. When purchasing online keep a look out for affinity codes, usually your membership number, in order to obtain what are often substantial discounts for being a member of a certain risk group. Visit a specialist car insurance company or apply for your groups car insurance scheme through your motoring or leisure organization.

6. Take on some of the risk yourself!

You can substantially lower premiums if you take on some of the risk that the policy covers, yourself. You can do this by increasing excesses, which is the amount you will have to pay in the event of a claim before the insurance company pays out. Voluntary excess is one such example. Be careful to weigh up the costs of any excesses and whether you can afford them in the event of a claim. There are now certain 'value for money' car insurance policies such as the one offered by Tesco Car Insurance which have very high policy excesses in return for very litlle premium! These are good if you can afford the first 600 of any claim!

7. Improve your credit rating

Most online insurers as soon as they have your name and address will automatically make inquiries to one of the big consumer credit firms such as Experian. Before you have finished filling in the form the car insurance application will know whether you are credit worthy or not. If your credit score appears bad the insurer will probably weight the policy rates against you as they either do not want your business or perceive you to be a greater risk of claiming.

As with all insurance, you can be guaranteed money savings if you take the time and trouble to investigate alternative policies and compare companies cover and quotes on the Internet.

You can find out more about how to purchase, find and compare cheap car insurance quotes online if you visit a specialist car insurance website that compares multiple car insurance schemes and policies and offers you wider cover.

Original Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Healey http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-Cheap-Car-Insurance-Online&id=2453854

Car insurance

Insurance Aggregators and Price Comparison Websites for Specialist Car Insurance

2009-10-14T15:24:00.004+01:00

The competition is hotting up on the aggregator price comparison sites with waves of TV adverts from the big four; Moneysupermarket, GoCompare, Confused and Compare the Market.
It is partially the marketing spend of these companies that keeps Independent TV and Google in the UK, firmly in the black.

At the time of writing the one that seems to be making all the TV noise is GoCompare!

Leaving aside that awful TV ad to the tune of Over There! We thought it is a good time to review their current car insurance offerings, which are particulary good for new car insurance and in relation to their specialist car insurance services.

gocompare.com is the insurance quote comparison site which will get you loads of quotes for your car insurance without you having to do all the hard work. All you need to do is enter your information once and we’ll do the rest. Independent choice, no messing about.

Review over 1000 car insurance prices, FREE of charge!

It is always worth visiting a few aggregators or insurance quote comparison sites before commiting to car insurance. There are also some smaller specialist car insurance comparison websites out there such as classic car insurance scheme comparison website Car-Insurance.tv. It's worth searching around for schemes for your particular car if you want to save loads of money on your annual premiums!

specialist car insurance

Motorbike thefts recovered at the worlds largest beach bike race

2009-10-12T11:13:00.004+01:00

New Scanning technology has revealed 'stolen' motorbikes at Somerset's Enduro motorcross beach event held anually at Weston-Super-Mare.
Checks by Police Scrutineeers on over 1,400 motorcycles, bikes quads and sidecars entered into the UK's largest motorcross event, the Weston Super Mare beach race, have revealed 70 machines appeared to be suspicious and possibly stolen.

Police used a new device a handheld scanner to check microchips hidden in the frames of the bikes and also checked serial numbers of engines against a database.

An Avon and Somerset spokesman said he was surprised at the high number of "stolen" machines found at the event.

Six machines from the force area of Avon &n somerset were impounded and details of other machines circulated to other police areas.

The Police spokesman added: "We hope that this will provide would-be competitors taking part in the beach race with reassurance and peace of mind that the police and industry take vehicle theft very seriously.

"Avon and Somerset is one of only a handful of forces to have formed a specialist vehicle crime unit and the new scanning is particularly useful for an event such as this," he said.

Specialist Car Insurance welcomes any moves to reduce motor theft! You can purchase sports accident insurance, motorcross bike accident insurance and enduro bike riders insurance from Personal Accident. If you require cheap specialist bike insurance visit Specialist MotorBike Insurance

specialist motorbike insurance

Tesco starts its own Specialist Car Insurance Company

2009-09-28T12:24:00.004+01:00

Tesco the UK's larget supermarket chain has finally take the leap and formed it's own Tesco car insurance company.
Tesco Insurance Ltd is half owned by Tesco and the other half by the underwriting company, Belgian Insurer Fortis. In the past Tesco personal finance, the financial services arm of Tesco, has had underwriting deals for it's car insurance with the Government owned RBS and UK Insurance.
In recent years the company has been marketing exclusively to the cheaper end of the UK car insurance market, particular examples include their 'value' range of cheap car insurance and motor insurance policies and their forays into the aggregator car insurance market with Tesco Compare; however, with the new company all this is set to change.

The success of these ventures and the new partnership, had led to growth into other areas of the more niche UK Car Insurance Market and our marketing department have noticed Tesco's spend on online advertising for the specialist and classic car insurance market has risen dramatically in recent months.
Whether Tesco will bring it's usual success to these specialist car insurance markets and become a classic itself, remains to be seen.......

specialist car insurance

Compare Classic Car Insurance

Do Not Pay Extra for Classic Car Insurance!

2009-08-05T12:25:00.001+01:00

If you own a classic car, chances are it is among one of your most prized possessions.
Maintaining and protecting your classic car is vitally important, and making sure you have the right classic car insurance for your classic beauty is important to any classic car enthusiast.
There are many companies out there today who offer special car insurance programs to people who wish to insure their classic car.
Finding the right classic car insurance policy for your classic car needs could mean the difference between paying too much in car insurance premiums, and saving loads of money each year through a specially designed policy meant just for classic cars.

Insurance companies understand that classic cars are usually not driven as much as a common family vehicle, and therefore they may offer a greater discount for classic autos.
Other discounts may also apply, given the fact that most people who own classic cars are very careful to protect their classics, and often keep them in secure locations to prevent theft or damage.
There may be some requirements that must be met in order to qualify for a special classic car insurance policy. For instance, certain policies may require that your classic be at least 20 years old to qualify for a discounted policy. Other prerequisites may entail that the vehicle be used primarily for car shows and other classic car events.
Most companies will also require an appraisal to be submitted when insuring with a classic car insurance policy.

If you own a classic car, keep in mind that there are special classic car insurance policies that are specifically designed to fit your particular needs.
Why pay outrageous premiums for your classic car insurance policy when there are discounted rates available for classic car owners?

specialist car insurance

How To Buy Cheaper Classic Car Insurance Cover

2009-08-05T12:01:00.003+01:00

Do you own a car over fifteen years old? If you do you may well be entitled to cover it under what is known in the industry as a classic car insurance policy. In the past there were many more restrictions on cover under this type of policy and specialist motor insurance brokers and insurance companies were very particular about the type, age make and models of the cars they wished to cover on their books.

Times have changed and technology has led to many more cars now fitting into a bracket that was once reserved for the glamourous, collector and vintage car owners. It is now possible to obtain both cheap quotes and classic car covers online from many providers including the majority of those famous high street brands, who have realised that nearly fifty percent of the cars on the road now fall within the strict underwriting parameters for classic car policies. Consequently premiums in this market, which were always cheaper than standard cover, have become much more competitive in recent years, with the entry into the market of many of the larger insurance companies.

When searching for the right covers it is wise to get a range of classic car insurance online quotes from various different sources. Not all motor companies are the same, and neither are all classic policy conditions.

When applying for a classic quote you should be aware of the varying limits of cover and restrictions that may be put on driving the vehicle. For example many of these policies will only allow you very limited road mileage each year, sometimes as little as 3000 miles per annum. This is fine if you have an expensive collectors car that is garaged throughout the year and only taken out for the odd cruise or rally. The problems occur much more frequently when non valuable classic cars are insured under this type of policy when they should really be covered under a more embracing standard motor insurance. Unfortunately, restrictive policy conditions often only come to light after an accident and a claim is made, rejected by the insurer and leaves the policyholder feeling missold and abandoned.

If you have decided that a classic car policy is right for your car, then when applying for quotes online always check that the policy is right for you, the owner as well. Many policies are designed to charge by the lifestyle of the insured and as with all car insurance there is a tendency for cover to be cheaper for older persons and women drivers. Many companies will not issue classic motor insurance to persons under the age of twenty five, although this is changing as well, and there are some very good providers out there who will cover drivers as young as twenty one.

If the value of the car is not particularly high and the replacement costs of parts and repairs does not warrant a specialist policy, you may well be better advised to seek out quotes from a mainstream insurance company. They often have additional online discounts and offers which the classic policy providers are not in a position to offer.

As with all car insurance, what may initially appear cheap at policy inception could cause some unpleasant surprises when it comes to making a claim.

Shop around for specialist car insurance and Classic Car Insurance.

Compare policy prices and insurance covers from both major high street brands and the smaller insurance specialists to ensure you not only get a good deal, but get the adequate levels of cover you require for your classic car, as well.

Originally published by our in house resident classic car expert Dave Healey
Cheaper classic car insurance article source

specialist car insurance

The UK's largest Specialist Car Insurance supplier offers new products

2009-08-05T11:40:00.003+01:00

Online specialist car insurance comparison site Car-Insurance.tv has launched a new range of specialist insurance products specifically aimed at young drivers, lady drivers and the more senior amongst us.

London, UK (PRWEB) August 3, 2009 -- Online UK specialist car insurance comparison website Car-Insurance.tv has announced the addition of fifteen new products and schemes to its specialist car insurance comparison panel, to cater specifically for various driver types. These include specialist policies specifically designed for young drivers, lady drivers and senior drivers.

Car-Insurance.tv Marketing Director Dave Healey said, "Our specialist car insurance comparison system, is the largest in the UK and is particularly focused on making large premium savings for owners of specialist cars such as sports cars, performance cars and classic cars. We are particularly good at finding you the cheapest cover by your car type with our car insurance schemes."

Our specialist insurance comparison system, is the largest in the UK and is particularly focused on making large premium savings for owners of specialist cars such as sports cars, performance cars and classic cars. We are particularly good at finding you the cheapest cover by your car type with our car insurance schemes.
However analysis of the website usage statistics has revealed to us that we were missing out on a large part of the market. The addition of the new products means more importantly, that we can now satisfy the buying intentions of more of our customers, which include some large niche segments of the UK car insurance buying population.
Take for example our classic car insurance schemes. We already offered comprehensive, whole of the market policies to young drivers over the age of twenty three. The new products allow us to offer classic car insurance to drivers as young as twenty one which is important as many cheaper cars favoured by this age group, are now eligible for classic cover.
Lady and Women drivers are also set to benefit from the introduction of the new schemes.
The company has helped support many community based projects this year, and hopes that this will continue despite the downturn in business.
"However analysis of the website usage statistics has revealed to us that we were missing out on a large part of the market. The addition of the new products means more importantly, that we can now satisfy the buying intentions of more of our customers, which include some large niche segments of the UK car insurance buying population."

He added "Take for example our classic car insurance schemes. We already offered comprehensive, whole of the market policies to young drivers over the age of twenty three. The new products allow us to offer classic car insurance to drivers as young as twenty one which is important as many cheaper cars favoured by this age group, are now eligible for classic cover."

"Lady and Women drivers are also set to benefit from the introduction of the new schemes."

Mr Healey stated. "It has long been known within the insurance industry that women drivers present a better risk than their male counterparts. We identified that many of our more expensive performance car and sports car insurance policyholders were women. In order to offer these female customers the range of benefits that are available across the market we have incorporated many specialist car insurance schemes that are designed exclusively for women drivers."

More information is available at lady driver car insurance

Car-Insurance.tv hope that the wider range of products available will help them continue to sponsor local community events up and down the country.

specialist car insurance

Exclusive Specialist Online Sports Car Insurance schemes announced for Porsche and Ferrari owners

2009-07-10T22:33:00.004+01:00

Exclusive Specialist Online Sports Car Insurance schemes announced by Specialist Broker Scheme comparison site Car-Insurance.tv for Porsche and Ferrari owners

Specialist Ferrari Car Insurance Schemes
If you own a Ferrari it goes without saying that you require the best car insurance available for your Cavallino Rampante!

If you need to make a claim you wil only want your car repaired by specialist Ferrari mechanics and approved Ferrari garages. It's highly likely that if you skimped on repairs and took your car elsewhere that your warranty would be invalid.

Ferrari Insurance

That is why at Car-Insurance.tv we have teamed up with specialist Ferrari car insurance scheme providers to offer specialist insurance cover for all models, old and new!
We offer huge discounts for Ferrari owners club members and cover solutions not available at other Internet outlets including full replacement value coverage. Cover is available for the complete range of models including the F40 and F50 GTs, all GT and GTO models , older Testarossas, the Dino and Enzos, right through to the brand new FXX Eolution model.

Compare our covers and premiums when you get a Specialist Ferrari Insurance quote from the UK Ferrari Insurance cover specialists!

Labels: Car Insurance, car insurance schemes, Ferrari, Ferrari Insurance, Specialist Car Insurance

posted by CarInsurance at Friday, July 10, 2009

Specialist Porsche Car Insurance
You can now compare quotes from over 100 suppliers of insurance for Porsches at car-insurance.tv including exclusive specialist schemes designed for Porsche owners and Club members.

We compare prices and cover from specialist Porsche sports car insurance schemes, ensuring you only pay for the cover you need, at the best UK Internet prices for Porsche Insurance.

Whether you own an old classic 944, 911 Carrera or the latest Panamera you will not find better Porsche Insurance cover elsewhere in the the UK.

Compare quotes today from our online Porsche Car Insurance Schemes and start saving hundreds off the price of your premiums with superior tailored Porsche Insurance Cover

Labels: car insurance, Porsche, Porsche Car Insurance

posted by CarInsurance at Friday, July 10, 2009 specialist car insurance

Rolls Royce Car Insurance - Compare Rolls Royce Insurance Schemes

2009-07-10T19:26:00.004+01:00

Rolls Royce are the greatest cars ever to come out of the British Isles and Rolls Royce has led the world in the development of engines and car technology.

To put it plainer.........

There is not one company on the planet that can rival Rolls Royce - for all their ups and downs financially.

Here's the complete list of both classic Rollers and brand new ones that are comparable online by the Rolls Royce Insurance Schemes:

Rolls-Royce Limited vehicles

* 1904–06 10 hp
* 1905–05 15 hp
* 1905–08 20 hp
* 1905–06 30 hp
* 1905–06 V-8
* 1906–25 40/50 Silver Ghost
* 1922–29 Twenty
* 1925–29 40/50 Phantom
* 1929–36 20/25
* 1929–35 Phantom II
* 1936–38 25/30
* 1936–39 Phantom III
* 1938–39 Wraith
* 1949–55 Silver Wraith
* 1949–55 Silver Dawn
* 1950–56 Phantom IV
* 1955–66 Silver Cloud
* 1959–68 Phantom V
* 1965–80 Silver Shadow
* 1968–91 Phantom VI
* 1971–96 Corniche I–V

Bentley models (from 1933)

* 1933–37 Bentley 3½ L
* 1936–39 Bentley 4¼ L
* 1940–40 Bentley 4¼ L Mark V

[edit] Rolls-Royce Motors vehicles

* 1975–86 Camargue
* 1980–98 Silver Spirit/Silver Spur

Bentley models were produced mostly in parallel with the above cars. The Bentley Continental coupés (produced in various forms from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s) did not have Rolls-Royce equivalents. Very expensive Rolls-Royce Phantom limousines were also produced.

* 1998–2002 Silver Seraph
* 2000–02 Corniche V

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars vehicles

* 2003– Phantom
* 2007– Phantom Drophead Coupé
* 2008– Phantom Coupé

ROLLS ROYCE CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE

Demand rises for Classic and Specialist car insurance

2009-07-07T22:27:00.001+01:00

Specialist and Classic Car Insurance Demand Soars Despite The Recession

A surge in the number of enquires for both specialist high performance car insurance and classic car insurance cover has been steadily increasing since Mid November last year around the time of the banking crisis and subsequent stock market crash. It appears that many speculators are using luxury and classic cars in particular as investment vehicles.

The interest in classic and expensive high performance cars shows no signs of slowing down despite the recession, according to online specialist car insurance provider http://www.car-insurance.tv.

The website which allows customers to compare car insurance quotes from over 100 bespoke specialist schemes, is reporting a sixty percent increase in enquiries for classic car insurance during the first quarter of 2009, as the baby boomer generation shift their assets away from stocks and shares into something more tangible.

Our reporting systems clearly show that the number of enquires for both high performance car insurance and classic car cover has been steadily increasing since Mid November last year, around the time of the banking crisis and subsequent stock market crash. It appears that many of our customers are using classic cars in particular as investment vehicles.
We have drilled down into the data and further interesting patterns are emerging. The majority of the increased quote enquiries for classic car insurance are coming from men in the forty to retirement age range, although the number of younger women wanting specialist sports car insurance has also risen significantly. They're not just buying cheap cars either
A combination of customers who are becoming more Internet 'savvy' and those looking for cheap car insurance due to the credit crunch has brought a drove of extra visitors to the site.
Marketing Director David Healey believes the growth in demand for classic cars, and the consequent demand for specialist insurance services, is actually due to the recession.

"Our reporting systems clearly show that the number of enquires for both high performance car insurance and classic car cover has been steadily increasing since Mid November last year, around the time of the banking crisis and subsequent stock market crash. It appears that many of our customers are using classic cars in particular as investment vehicles." he said.

"We have drilled down into the data and further interesting patterns are emerging. The majority of the increased quote enquiries for classic car insurance are coming from men in the forty to retirement age range, although the number of younger women wanting specialist sports car insurance has also risen significantly. They're not just buying cheap cars either", he emphasised.

"At Car-Insurance.tv we run an agreed valuation service for underwriters Lancaster Insurance, and we have noticed that the bulk of the additional policies that are getting taken up, are in the high insurance rating groups of sixteen to twenty, for high powered cars with values exceeding £20000. There is currently a particular interest in rare vintage and classic sports cars and top of the range brand new luxury motors.

The type of client is broad, however we can clearly state that there are not many Builders or Property Developers who are buying Aston Martins at the moment, which wasn't always the case in the not too distant past."

Paul Moran, Technical Director for Insuretec Ltd, the systems company behind the website added.

"It's not just in the high value high performance and classics market that has seen a large increase in demand, our specialist motor insurance division is doing very well as well. The drop in the volume of policies for new car sales appears to be more than made up for, with a forty percent increase in the number of previously owned vehicles being insured. This is despite the apparent unavailability of car loan finance."

"A combination of customers who are becoming more Internet 'savvy' and those looking for cheap car insurance due to the credit crunch has brought a drove of extra visitors to the site."

"Our customers are looking for that something extra for their cover, but they want value for money without compromising on quality. Our log files show that those customers with a serious intent to purchase car insurance online spend a lot more time within the system application comparing and changing variables such as voluntary excess or playing with variations of the multiple cover options available from our schemes, in order to get the cover they want at the price that is right for them."

"The large comparison websites are too much of a one size fits all and classic, sports and performance car owners tend by their very nature to be flamboyant individuals who need specialist individual care. The specialist car insurance scheme comparison system provides them with personalised insurance for just about every car ever made, which is something that the mainstream car insurance comparison sites just can't offer."

See the original story at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2284324.htm

Ferrari classic car insurance dispute will change classic car valuations for Insurance

2009-06-28T14:40:00.005+01:00

When is Classic Car Insurance Market Value not Market Value?

Below is a recent lesson on why it is so important to get an agreed valuation certificate for your cherished classic car. The value of classic cars can go up dramatically as well as depreciate, so it is essential that the agreed valuation is updated frequently. It is even more essential that classic car insurance companies are aware of what they are covering!

A Ferrari owner is disputing the payout given to him under a classic car insurance policy from Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA), better known for their More Than standard car insurance brand.
The owner of a 1974 Ferrari Dino Spyder 246 GTS, a Mr Abraham, has had the car for 33 years, has taken his case to the Financial Ombudsman after a dispute over the claims payment when the car was stolen.

Mr Abraham had a classic car policy that was providing cover under 'market value terms' the value of the car in the market at the time of the claim. When he insured it originally he gave a declared value of £35,000 which was accepted by the insurers.

The problems arose when the claim occurred. Classic car experts have valued the car in the current market at £120,000 when it was stolen from his garage in South london last summer. RSA have according to Mr Abrahams only offered him £35,000!

This case is going to bring the whole question of classic car valuations and how classic cars are valued for insurance purposes into the limelight, when the Judgement is delivered by the Financial Ombudsman later this year!

It sounds to us folks here like a little bit cake and eat it! Whatever the outcome it will change the way that classic car insurance is sold!

Specialist Car Insurance Covers Specialist Repairs If You Need To Claim

2009-06-27T11:46:00.004+01:00

Does Your Car Require Specialist Car Insurance and Repair Services?

When choosing a car insurance policy it is wise to consider what is offered in the event of a claim. After all, you are only insuring the car to have the potential to make a claim and the cover is only as good as the car insurance company's claims department.

Although price is most peoples consideration when purchasing car insurance, one of things you should not overlook is who is going to repair your car if it is damaged? Do you own a non-standard car that requires specialist cover? Surprisingly a large number of vehicles fall into categories that the majority of mainstream insurance companies do not want to cover!

Such examples that may struggle to obtain motor insurance at reasonable rates are owners of performance,prestige, expensive, luxury, foreign, sports, convertibles, modified, veteran, collectors and classic cars. More importantly if you are the owner, if something happens and you need to make a claim on your policy, it is important that your car gets fixed by specialist professionals, using the correct parts. More often than not these type of car repairs require unique tools that are only available through specialist engineers and motor repair shops.

So it is most important when comparing car insurance to also compare the services that a car insurer offers in the event of a claim, especially those regarding choice of repairer.

All specialist car insurers and many insurance companies will offer a choice of repairer - many others will not as they have existing arrangements with so called approved repairers.

Trouble arises when an insurance company insists on employing a particular firm to fix the car against the policyholder's wishes, and it is not uncommon for major disputes to arise at this point.

For example, the insured may have an expensive Italian sports car bought from an exclusive importer and specialist firm of dealers who added a number of accessories and or modifications to the car at the insured's request at the time of sale; the same firm may have performed all the routine servicing since the sale and the insured may genuinely feel that they 'know' his car better than anyone else could, and that only they, in consequence, should be entrusted to carry out the repairs.

If the repair work quoted in an estimate by the specialist firm is substantially higher than that expected from the approved repairer and the car insurance claims department consider that the approved repairers are capable of carrying out the work to the same standard as the specialists , then the only way out of this impasse is usually for the insurance company to suggest that the insured pays the difference!

Clearly then it is very important to understand what you are buying with your policy when it comes to claims and repairs. Specialist car insurance policies always offer unique claims repair services and if you own an unusual, expensive, classic car or performance motor, then it would be sensible to opt for a policy that includes these repair services to avoid the above situations. What might look like a cheap policy might turn into fools gold in the event of a claim!

Dave Healey is a specialist car insurance expert and UK classic car insurance journalist who writes regularly at the Car Insurance Blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Healey
http://EzineArticles.com/?Does-Your-Car-Require-Specialist-Car-Insurance-and-Repair-Services?&id=2370494

Car Insurance Money Saving Tips!

2009-06-26T20:50:00.002+01:00

Car Insurance Money Saving Tips

It can be quite a daunting experience trying to purchase car insurance, and with the myriad of products and sales channels available today, it is often difficult to know where to start the process. It can be even more complicated when you start to look to reduce your premiums without sacrificing either your levels of cover or increasing your risk.

As most car insurance is basically rated by your birth date and age, and your postcode or zip code, short of moving property or growing older, it often appears that reducing your vehicle insurance premiums is an impossible task.

This is not necessarily so! Whichever method or distribution outlet you use to purchase car insurance, if you consider these twelve money saving tips, implementation of any one will virtually guarantee a reduction to your premiums at both onset of a policy or at renewal. By simply making changes to any one of these premium rating factors that go to make up the quotes you are given, will result in an alternative quote which should be to your favour.Don't automatically renew your policy with the same company. It is virtually guaranteed that you could get like for like cover cheaper with another insurance company if you shop around and compare covers and prices from different providers.

1. Investigate on the Internet - Visit different suppliers

If you were getting paid at least £150 or $200 for two hours work, you should be pleased. That is the minimum you should look to save on your annual premiums by spending a couple of hours shopping around for quotes on the Internet.

Visit a car insurance supermarket comparison site. If the premiums are too expensive but you like the cover offered by a particular insurance company then, visit the supplier direct and cut out the expense of the middleman.

The large motor insurance comparison sites you see advertised all the time on television will send you off to the suppliers site themselves to complete 'the deal', so its best to close down the application, clear the cookies from your browsers memory to ensure that you are not charged their commission inclusive rates, and visit the insurance company direct.

Additionally you should visit a specialist auto insurance scheme provider. These were once only available on the High Street but are now springing up everywhere online. No matter what your particular individual needs, be it lady driver cover or perhaps classic car cover, specialist car insurance providers by their very nature usually offer cheaper quotes as they benefit from the economies of scale allowed by group buying of cover.

2. Do your market research

Who is offering deals on television at the moment? Everybody who seeks motor insurance is an individual with a different car and individual cover needs dependant upon their circumstances. Write down what you think your exact cover needs are and think about where you might find providers for your individual needs. For example, if are you a senior citizen, you should search on the Internet for specialist car insurance schemes for over fifties.

3. Go for a no frills policy

If you are not worried about quality of cover and only require basic road risks, go for one of the many policies now being offered by insurance supermarkets as 'value car insurance'. These policies usually only offer the very basics of cover required under the Road Traffic Act, however may be very suitable for low mileage, cheap cars and younger drivers.

4. Only pay for the cover for what you need

Why pay for car breakdown insurance or other sometimes hidden extras such as the cost of including a replacement vehicle should you have an accident, when you already have AA breakdown cover and another car sitting on the driveway at home that you could use. Check your existing policy cover details carefully and exclude all unnecessary or duplicate covers.

5. Take on some of the risk yourself with higher excesses

With Car Insurance you have two basic options for taking more of the risk on yourself. These being, one by choosing how much cover you require in the first place, that is, either comprehensive or third party, perhaps with the fire and theft options included. Secondly you are given the option on most systems to choose how much of the cost of damages of an accident you are prepared to take on board yourself, before you call on the insurance company to make a claim. This is known as the voluntary excess and is the amount that will always be deducted first from any amount you claim. If the cost of repairs of an accident are not much more than the voluntary excess amount you have chosen then it would be prudent to pay for the repair costs yourself, rather than lose your no claims bonus.

6. Reduce the cars risk with improved car and location security

If you park your car off road or garage it at night you will receive further discounts. If you own a classic car which does not have them fitted as standard, fitting security devices, for example car alarms, immobilizers and GPS trackers to your car will substantially reduce your premium

7. Improve your driving or change your lifestyle

If you need to make a claim because of the way you drive, or if you have more than one SP30 for speeding, your premiums are going to be heavily loaded at renewal. You can reduce your insurance costs therefore by improving the way you use your car or changing your lifestyle.

8. Cut down on your Car's Usage and annual mileage

By thinking about how you use your car and reducing unnecessary journeys you will be cutting down on your cars usage and by implication the risk you present to a car insurance underwriter. Check how many miles you run up each year and make sure that this is what you are paying for! Do not make a false mileage declaration in an attempt to save money because in the event of a claim, your mileage and MOT if applicable will be noted by a claims assessor. If there is significant difference between the declared mileage and the actual amount you have driven, you risk having the claim refused or seriously reduced in value.

9. Pay the full premium amount upfront and avoid charges.

Most UK car insurance companies charge additional costs for handling monthly direct debit payments. There is often a five to ten percent effective discount if you pay immediately online or over the phone by debit card.

10. Investigate Specialist car insurance and Car Insurance Schemes

Investigate insurance specialists that target specific groups of people of car type, for example performance motor insurance or cover for young drivers. These schemes offer with unique policy options and cover modified for the particular specialist driver group. They are often far cheaper than standardised covers offered by comparison sites as they have group bulk buying economies of scale regarding underwriting and claims and a known risk pool of similar types of people and car.

11. Join a Car club

Many car owners clubs and specialist marques clubs have special affinity group rates for specialist car insurance schemes. The cost of getting membership of these clubs can often be less than the five to ten percent savings you can make on your premiums by joining such a scheme.

12. Take an Advanced Driving Course

You can save a further large percentage with most online insurance companies if you have taken an advanced driving skills course or ADC. The courses are run nationally and the cost of the course is outweighed by the annual savings you will make on your insurance premiums. The savings are greater for young drivers and this is one of the few positive actions that a young driver can make to reduce his or her annual vehicle insurance costs.

And Finally - Haggle!

And here's an extra tip which we often find works when all else fails. Complete a quote on the Internet for the policy you desire with the company you like. Do not complete the quote beyond the screen where the premium prices are displayed, merely save the quote reference number. Quotes are usually legally binding for thirty days.

Leave it a while then pick up the phone and call the insurance company. Tell them that you've had problems completing the quote online. They will ask you the quote reference number and then have all you details in front of them. When they tell you the quote amount (which you should know already), tell them that you've got a quote that is, say a hundred cheaper at so and so company, and ask if that's the best they can do. Just by haggling you will be surprised just how much you could save on your car insurance costs!

Dave Healey is a specialist car insurance expert whose field of expertise extends from underwriting Classic Car Insurance polices at Lloyds , to designing car insurance supermarkets online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Healey
http://EzineArticles.com/?Twelve-Car-Insurance-Money-Saving-Tips-For-Much-Cheaper-Premiums&id=2141735

Compare Specialist Car Insurance at a specialist centre!

2009-06-26T20:42:00.003+01:00

Have you gone on one of those big car insurance comparison sites and got halfway through the form filling, only to be told that they can't quote you? Yeah me too! This accompanying post shows how you can avoid the time wasting and still benefit from a large car insurance comparison system, even if you have unique specialist car insurance requirements.

Specialist Car Insurance is the Answer If You Have Been Declined by a Comparison Website
By Dave Healey

Often these large aggregator sites fail to provide a reason for why they cannot cover your car. Some of the better ones will provide a telephone number where you can repeat the quotation process over the phone, however with these type of companies you still run the risk of failing to obtain cover even if you talk to them direct.

Most Car Insurance companies that offer quotes on standard comparison websites, have very strict underwriting criteria that the risk, that is you and your car, must fit into to be offered a quote from the online computer system. This is the case for nearly half of the UK population visiting a major motor insurance comparison website.

What those who purport to compare the market often fail to tell you when you start to apply for cover, is that if you do not fit into the type of risk that they are looking for, determined by the answers that you give when you fill out the application or proposal form, that you will have been wasting your time!

Many people searching online for various motor insurance covers, come away disappointed at not being able to insure their car or vehicle, as quickly and as easily as was suggested on the television advert, because the comparison company failed to mention that if you cannot tick all the boxes on the form, you are a non standard risk.

Many more customers that the mainstream car insurance comparison sites fail to satisfy, then take up first quote they are offered from another source, even if it is very expensive, because they fear they will not get cover elsewhere.

Car insurance companies employ people called actuaries who constantly check statistics and data to come up with rates for various risks.

The actuaries and the underwriters set the risk rates for certain groups of people or car combinations. Consequently many people who do not fit the standard that the actuaries and the underwriters want, find themselves either completely excluded from the quote process or given a quote offer that is so expensive, that the risk in question will not take out the cover, and does not enter and threaten the value of the existing risk pool.

Others continue to pay over the odds for their car insurance, knowing they are non-standard risks, grateful to have found somewhere that can cover them. Many mostly through inertia, laziness or a misguided loyalty bordering on Stockholm syndrome, continue to pay over the odds for car insurance premiums, failing to realise that an hours work searching for alternative cover online, could make them hundreds of pounds or dollars in premium savings.

There are two overall reasons or factors that make someone a non-standard risk, these being, you as a person and the car you drive.

The risk price you pay for your car at a comparison site, is largely determined by the risk group assigned to the particular make and model of the vehicle. Every car in the UK is assigned to a risk group for rating purposes from one to twenty, twenty being the highest risk, typically high performance expensive fast sports cars. The higher the risk group the more you pay. Many online insurance comparison systems exclude high risk groups above fourteen for certain combinations of factors and will fail to quote.

Additionally any changes or modifications to a standard car, will change its risk group and may result in a failure to quote online. Age of a vehicle whether it be a specialist classic car or a brand new motor will seriously affect the risk price and may lead to exclusion from the quotation process.

Although the majority of cars are standard, people are not. Variations in human characteristics account for the main reasons people fail to get quoted from a standard car insurer. These can be age and gender related, where you live and what you do for a living. Many occupations will exclude you from online quoting and certain providers offers specialist schemes aimed at differing age groups. Theft rates for the area you live in may also result in a decline to quote .

The solution to the above problems in trying to obtain a reasonable car insurance quote, is to visit a specialist broker or motor insurance underwriter. They will have individually designed specialist car insurance schemes to cater for all those nuances that the comparison sites decline to quotes for. Furthermore because the risk quoted for is the actual risk and not a grouped risk, you may well find a lot more change in your pocket than if you had visited a standard mainstream insurer.

It is now possible to combine the benefits of comparing car insurance quotes and specialist car insurance. The Internet has allowed the development of specialist motor insurance comparison sites where multiple schemes are compared for non standard risks. Lancaster Insurance specialist car insurance and classic car insurance comparison website, is one good example.

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