Multi-vehicle insurance policies.

[M'coli]

I've found my current insurer has stopped providing multi-car policies, which means that I've had to take out a new policy despite my current policy running out in just under a month. Arseflakes. They also want to charge me twice what the cheapest on-line quote was, which after 9 years of business with them and the quotes always being competitive enough to make me renew is pish. (edit to finish sentence.)I've used one of those fancy comparison websites, but the cheapest quotes all seem to be with the company acting as an agent for the same underwriter, and I got bored after about 2 hours of being on the phone this afternoon. Also, the new policy won't allow me to tow anything, and if I want to change cars it's a £25 surcharge. Bumhats.So what companies do multi-car policies that allow a fleet to be run?

[Torsten2001]

Just get a trade policy, so easy!

[scoobypete]

how easy is it to get a trade policy just out of interest? Ive got mine on separate policys,im not complaining as it is cheap but would be a good thing to have these days what with the laws on driving other peoples vehicles etc

[whitevanman]

/\ What torsten said, I use MMA through Northern counties for my trade policy, you can be part time and based at home, £238 for this year

[Torsten2001]

It's dead easy, just ring up! Mines about £500 fully comp with car and bike in London so not bad really!

[dollywobbler]

Peter D James. I got four cars insured for less than £200. I consider that a result. FJ do multi-car too I believe.EDIT - those are classic, agreed value policies, unlimited mileage, euro-breakdown yadda yadda. However, there is an admin charge for changes. Sometimes.

[warren t claim]

£600 for a trade policy for me. TPO.

[garbaldy]

/\ What torsten said, I use MMA through Northern counties for my trade policy, you can be part time and based at home, £238 for this year

how on earth did you get one that cheep are you a 108 or something i tried the trader insurance route last year but they wanted £800 odd and i thought that was a joke, to insure my 3 vehicles costs allot less than that all fully comp.

[wuvvum]

Mine's about £450, third party only. Covers me for anything up to 7.5 tonnes. Also has demonstration cover so mates are covered to drive my cars if I'm in the passenger seat - handy if I've had a bit too much to drink. Don't know what I'd do without a trader's policy to be honest.

[whitevanman]

/\ What torsten said, I use MMA through Northern counties for my trade policy, you can be part time and based at home, £238 for this year

how on earth did you get one that cheep are you a 108 or something i tried the trader insurance route last year but they wanted £800 odd and i thought that was a joke, to insure my 3 vehicles costs allot less than that all fully comp.

Nah, 114 actually.............. Try them you might be suprised Northern counties, Low fell, Gateshead.

[whitevanman]

Mine's about £450, third party only. Covers me for anything up to 7.5 tonnes. Also has demonstration cover so mates are covered to drive my cars if I'm in the passenger seat - handy if I've had a bit too much to drink. Don't know what I'd do without a trader's policy to be honest.

exact same setup for me as well

[Minimad5]

TOTAL NOOB ALERT !Would a trader's policy allow a Learner to Drive (This being my dad on the Policy clean card for over 18 years and so on).. Sorry for the mini hi-jack

[whitevanman]

Some do, my mate runs a garage and has his son on his policy to learn... so it might be worth a few phone calls

[Minimad5]

Thanks Whitevanman !

[Lankytim]

Those are some amazing quotes for trader policies. How can you prove that your "trade" though?

[Guest]

Those are some amazing quotes for trader policies. How can you prove that your "trade" though?

Trilby hat.

[Lankytim]

I dont have a trilby, but I can borrow a rottweiler and have oil under my fingernails.

[Torsten2001]

I make sure I ALWAYS wear my gold sovereign rings and sheepskin when I call up to renew!If you don't put many cars through your policy I think they'll ask questions, not an issue as far as I'm concerned!

[whitevanman]

push comes to shove......do a few "invoices" for your mates cars that you've fixed

[M'coli]

Thanks for the replies. I don't think that a trade policy would be correct for me, I just don't currently have the turnover of cars to warrant it (although no doubt fate shall come along and have me buying and selling cars this year) but shall look into Peter D James.

[Ratdat]

Those are some amazing quotes for trader policies. How can you prove that your "trade" though?

I've had my traders policy since I was 24 (I'm 39 now) and in all that time, I've never been asked to prove I'm trading, even though the renewal always says they may require proof at any time. Also, some years there weren't many changes to the cars I listed and it never seemed to bother them. Remember that the motor trade isn't only about buying and selling cars. If you do restoration work as a sole trader then you obviously won't have many cars through in a year. I suspect that providing you pay the premium and don't make many claims, they'll be happy. I've had three claims on my policy and they've always dealt with it very efficiently and it's never hurt my premium despite not having a protected no claims. When I first took the policy out it cost me £330 (TPO) and last years renewal was £482 which isn't bad. When I want to add or remove a car from the MID, I can just do it online too which is pretty convenient.Although the trade policy is very handy, if you have cars of value which are keepers, it's probably better to get and agreed value or classic policy on them IMO. I'll be doing that with my van when it's done and my Datsun 710SSS.

[meggersdog]

My traders policy is with MMA too,TP fire and theft but in the small print anything older than 1980 is third party only.Mine's up for renewal soon and last year was 430 with trade plate cover.Never had a claim in 15 years maybe I should shop around.

[Mash]

I'm with Footman James, with 6 cars on agreed value, breakdown etc, fully comp, extra named driver. It was about 400 quid but now I've added the Starlet it's gone up a bit. Still not too bad but I'll be looking around come renewal time I think.

[Lankytim]

At the moment I own,1x Allegro1x 1986 Audi 1002x Volvo 940sAll these are "keepers" but I do buy and sell the odd car, not many though, maybe 1 or 2 a year. Is a trade policy suitable for me? Could Mrs Lankytim be covered too?

[FredTransit]

Trade doesn't have to mean you buy and sell. Trade policies can cover vehicle delivery, mechanics, recovery, valeters and ICE fitters to name but a few. All of them can have personal vehicles added. So you don't need to have proof of 'sales' to have a trade policy.

[messerschmitt owner]

I have a multi-vehicle policy with Primo plc (the broker - insurer is Chaucer) - with class 1 business useI insure a motorhome, two bubblecars, four classics, a scooter, a modified sports car and a convertible. Five are t&t'd the others stored all classics with agreed values! Premium is £1280pa including UK breakdown cover.Total agreed value is £65,000

[sporty-shite]

I've got multi vehicle through Footman James, 2 Celicas, Golf GTI, 04 Clio.Mrs S as named driver with class 1 business use, so it's effectively a fleet policy for Sporty Towers! Also offers agrees value on the older stuff, is fully comp and unlimited mileage.Comes out at about 550 IIRC, which is not too bad considering it was about 350 to cover the Clio on it's own. I'll know better later this month, though, because it's due for renewal.Motor trade's no good for us, because it won't give business use for Mrs S.

[dollywobbler]

I've got Mrs Dollywobbler on my classic policy, and I added my mate when we did the BXagon. Even got the Minor on with a note because it was actually in Mrs Dollywobbler's name on the V5.I did have the 2CV covered for business use, but we use pool cars all the time now, so I don't think any of mine have that.

[Mr Lobster]

Hmmm. This is interesting and much food for thought.Currently I have the SEAT on a 'normal' insurance policy. Sprinter is insured on a seperate business policy and R4 on a classic policy with agreed value and all that. Probably costing about £1k a year all told so the possibility of some savings there.....

[dollywobbler]

If only Ocean Finance did insurance. Then you could star on telly saying 'Thank you Ocean Finance for saving me money.'