Classic insurer: "CX, 1980s Skodas will NEVER be classics"

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

So, as it finally looks like I may be able to move to some permanent accommodation, I've been heeding Mr Bol's sage advice and trying to sort out a shite strategy.

 

Criteria:

i) big, comfortable barge with aircon, cruise and leather seats.

ii) torquey engine for lazy driving while having the ability to get out of difficult situations

ii) LPG would be really helpful since I'm near the centre of Sheffield and it 'd get me a permit to park for free pretty much everywhere around town

iv) made between 1983ish and 1995ish

v) a budget of up to two grand or so

 

 

Since there are only about 3 LPG cars for sale in the UK, I decided to have a little look on leboncoin. Came up with this:

 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/197718876.htm?ca=12_s

 

It's a tiny bit expensive for what it is, but it obviously comes from someone who cared about it and will also throw in a reasonable amount of parts.

 

I notice it's over 20 years old, and realise there's hardly any of them left in the UK, so I said "alright, maybe I can get some classic insurance if I agree to a limited-mileage policy".

 

So, I call a company recommended in that recent thread, give them some data, they keep me on hold for 5 mins and come back saying "no, we can't get you a policy. This car will never be a classic"

 

I go: "what? This was the flagship of the entire French motor industry in the 1990s. It cost the equivalent of 60,000 Euros"

 

She goes: "yes, but it'll never be a classic"

 

Now, I wouldn't have minded being told "the 605 was being made till 1998 (or whatever), so it'll have to wait a bit longer before it's considered a classic", but this "never" stuff is baffling. So I call another company and tell them about it, and the guy there agrees "no, it will NEVER be a classic". The following dialogue ensues:

 

- What are the criteria for a car being considered a "classic", then?

- It has to be old (check), rare (check), and desirable (by whom?).

- I really don't understand this, how is "desirability" defined?

- Hm, it's hard to explain...things like Minis, MGs,....

- So, it's got to be British or what?

- No, it doesn't have to, but a 1980s Skoda will NEVER be a classic!

- Mate, if there is a car that MUST be a classic it's the 1980s Skoda. They had a regime change shortly after, you know. Anyway, let's try one that is definitely desirable, the Citroen CX.

- I don't think that can be ever considered a classic, either.

- Not even one from the 1970s?

- Not really, but let me check...maybe it's in the book.

- These really ARE desirable, top ones go for about 7 grand.

- Ah, ok it's in the book. Let me do you a quote

[usual quote-y stuff follows, comes back with a price of around 550 pounds for a 1988 CX GIT turd-o, limited to 5k a year and with compulsory access to another car]

 

- Well, that sounds more like a price for a conventional policy to me.

- Yeah, it's definitely a classic policy, but you're still 28, and that Citroen isn't really a class....

[hangs up]

 

I'm not that bothered by the lack of policies/good prices (it looks like I'll get hunting for a trader policy), but I've got to say that I am quite disturbed by the attitude of those supposedly "specialised and understanding" brokers. I've had conventional insurers refuse to quote on a car being over x (I think 25) years old, and you would expect the mass-market ones to have stupid "computer says no"-type rules, but this is a pure piss-taking excercise!

[Cavcraft]

Besides the obvious os shopping around (and after all the dickheads you spoke to don't deserve your custom) I'd suggest finding the website/forum for any given model you fancy, joining up and asking on there.

 

DW had a CX once I think and there's at least one Skdoa enthusiast on here who I bet could help you. Trade insurance is o.k but some (including mine) won't accept cars made before 1980 unless you specifically request it and I bet they load the price up to suit.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I'm not really planning to get a Skoda in the near future (would like a Rapid at some point, but only if I could have it as a 3rd/4th car, and there is no space for that)...I just got shocked by the fact that a "specialist" broker would consider the near-epitome of a classic car as unable to ever reach classic status.

 

I'm definitely up for a CX, though, so I'll be keeping an eye on Autotrader.nl (LPG is quite popular there), and maybe I'll go to that guy in Cambs tomorrow...

 

As for trader's policy, I'm not really planning to get anything pre-1980. If I get some spare cash, I'll look for a 504 Coupe, but I prefer the look of later ones (they were being built till '83).

[Pete-M]

Besides the obvious os shopping around (and after all the dickheads you spoke to don't deserve your custom) I'd suggest finding the website/forum for any given model you fancy, joining up and asking on there.

 

DW had a CX once I think and there's at least one Skdoa enthusiast on here who I bet could help you. Trade insurance is o.k but some (including mine) won't accept cars made before 1980 unless you specifically request it and I bet they load the price up to suit.

 

I managed to get a 1961 Rover P5 on with Tradex (without it costing me extra), and the '72 P6B, so it's got to be possible. I think I just had to agree to take a hit if it was written off... "We'll only pay what we consider market value.." - to me it sounded like "You'll get bugger all if you crash it, but we'll shove it on the database, now piss off and stop wasting our time".

[Pete-M]

So, as it finally looks like I may be able to move to some permanent accommodation, I've been heeding Mr Bol's sage advice and trying to sort out a shite strategy.

 

Criteria:

i) big, comfortable barge with aircon, cruise and leather seats.

ii) torquey engine for lazy driving while having the ability to get out of difficult situations

ii) LPG would be really helpful since I'm near the centre of Sheffield and it 'd get me a permit to park for free pretty much everywhere around town

iv) made between 1983ish and 1995ish

v) a budget of up to two grand or so

!

 

An LPG'd '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is too new is it?

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

As much as I like CX's, I'd rather have a decent 605. They're defo classics - they were in Ronin.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

As much as I like CX's, I'd rather have a decent 605. I've probably not read the thread through properly, but are you dealing with UK insurers?

 

605's are classics - they were in Ronin.

 

I also think that the 605 is ideal for me at this point in time. I would love a nice CX, and I may end up buying one if I find a good deal, but I really don't have the time/space/ability to look after it properly.

 

The 605 has become incredibly rare in the UK. Autotrader only lists one for sale in the entire country, as opposed to 83 Sherpa Coupes (WOWZER, PROPER CLASIK INNIT).

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

 

...says "Your thread title reads like the byline of an ill informed and badly researched Daily Express article. Try some more open-minded insurers."

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

 

...says "Your thread title reads like the byline of an ill informed and badly researched Daily Express article. Try some more open-minded insurers."

 

haha...But the OP contains much more truth than a DE article!

 

I was half-expecting to have difficulty getting a classic policy for the 605, but they crossed the line when saying that CXs and old-school Skodas (not only aren't classic now, but) will never become classic.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

An LPG'd '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is too new is it?

 

Too new, and not really comfortable enough.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Which company is it? I'll remember to avoid them.

 

Aren't most classic policies limited mileage? Don't you want an LPG car to rack up the miles cheaply?

I almost bought a Peugeot 605 once, an early 2.1 STDT. It would have been ideal but I chickened out.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Which company is it? I'll remember to avoid them.

 

Aren't most classic policies limited mileage? Don't you want an LPG car to rack up the miles cheaply?

I almost bought a Peugeot 605 once, an early 2.1 STDT. It would have been ideal but I chickened out.

 

I don't really do that many miles. I want LPG because it gets me easy, free parking near my new place, and it's also nice to be able to go somewhere for a daytrip without worrying about how much fuel you'll burn...

Classicline was the first one (the ones who only said "never" about the 605), and Heritage Motor the second one ("never" to everything!).

[gricer]

A lot of insurers have a 25-year limit for a classic. So you're about five years too early for a 605

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

A lot of insurers have a 25-year limit for a classic. So you're about five years too early for a 605

 

It's all very weird, though, as the insurer who would do a classic policy (albeit an expensive one) for a 1988 CX didn't want to know anything about a 1990 605.

[Craig the Princess]

to me it sounded like "You'll get bugger all if you crash it, but we'll shove it on the database, now piss off and stop wasting our time".

 

If it's cheap, that is pretty much what I want from insurance.

[Rusty Pelican]

Just got classic insurance on my 86 Bimmer , I was told less than 25 wasnt insurable as a classic unless its really special so Lambo etc I expect .

[dollywobbler]

Both my 1991 BX diesel estate and now by 1990 Saab 9000 have been accepted as classics from an insurance point of view, CX was as well of course. Mind you, FJ insured the BX and then refused to cover the older Saab as it wasn't old enough. I really do think it depends who you end up getting through to! I'm tempted to get a rear engined Skoda now just to see if I can get cover for it.

[Polystratus]

Sounds like someone straight from the Practical (now know as Practically) Classics forum, they have a lot of this 'will never be classics' crap. Im sure my classic insurance starts for cars from 15 years and older.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Sounds like someone straight from the Practical (now know as Practically) Classics forum, they have a lot of this 'will never be classics' crap. Im sure my classic insurance starts for cars from 15 years and older.

 

Which company are you with??

[scooters]

I was under the imression that 'classic' had nothing to do with it and it came down to age and access to another vehicle...

[tonedepear]

That easy free parking in Sheff requires a bit of paperwork faffery, and it might need to be registered LPG on the V5 as well. And you have to pay for the disabled-stylke parking disc. I had a few LPG cars a couple of years back and never bothered with it in the end, although I forget the exact reason for my not being arsed.

 

(Although I don't work in town and have to park there all the time, so obviously your motivation will be enhanced!)

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

That easy free parking in Sheff requires a bit of paperwork faffery, and it might need to be registered LPG on the V5 as well. And you have to pay for the disabled-stylke parking disc. I had a few LPG cars a couple of years back and never bothered with it in the end, although I forget the exact reason for my not being arsed.

 

(Although I don't work in town and have to park there all the time, so obviously your motivation will be enhanced!)

 

I've done it before...it's surprisingly easy, can even be processed on a while-you-wait basis.

I think they just need to see the conversion certificate- probably a problem if it's in French, but I guess I'll just go to a local LPG garage and get them to certify that it's all correct.

There is a little bit of free parking available nearby, but, predictably, it gets busy...

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I was under the imression that 'classic' had nothing to do with it and it came down to age and access to another vehicle...

 

by the way, that "access to another vehicle" crock of shite just BEGS to be abused by simply getting a classic policy for another shite car.

 

Or, better still, just saying that you do have access to another vehicle and giving them clarification in the event of a claim and/or investigation: "I have access to all the buses stopping at the bus-stop down the road".

[Polystratus]

Sounds like someone straight from the Practical (now know as Practically) Classics forum, they have a lot of this 'will never be classics' crap. Im sure my classic insurance starts for cars from 15 years and older.

 

Which company are you with??

 

Mines with Lancaster - thats on a restricted milage though.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Sounds like someone straight from the Practical (now know as Practically) Classics forum, they have a lot of this 'will never be classics' crap. Im sure my classic insurance starts for cars from 15 years and older.

 

Which company are you with??

 

Mines with Lancaster - thats on a restricted milage though.

 

I'm happy with restricted mileage.

[dollywobbler]

PDJ have never asked whether I have access to other vehicles. FJ once told me that as long as I had at least two cars, then classics could be my only cars.

 

PDJ state 20 years and seem happy to cover anything I own. FJ move the goalposts all the time. Thought it was 20 but now it's 25 years apparently, yet I've heard of Jags and MGs being covered as young as 5...

[meggersdog]

all this talk of 605's anyone remember this from last summer ? I finally managed to sell it for £175.00

 

ooh tiny photo...ooops.2 litre auto with six weeks mot and two months tax I seem to remember.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

PDJ have never asked whether I have access to other vehicles. FJ once told me that as long as I had at least two cars, then classics could be my only cars.

 

PDJ state 20 years and seem happy to cover anything I own. FJ move the goalposts all the time. Thought it was 20 but now it's 25 years apparently, yet I've heard of Jags and MGs being covered as young as 5...

 

So, basically, my random speculation about Britishness being a key requirement for a classic policy isn't very far out.

 

I will call PDJ and Lancaster in the morning- I assume they're open on Sat?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

all this talk of 605's anyone remember this from last summer ? I finally managed to sell it for £175.00

 

That sounds like scrap money...do you know whether it's still about??

[meggersdog]

That's exactly what I told the lad who bought it.Use it until the MOT runs out then weigh it in.Don't know what happened to it but his brother works for Hi Q so next time I'm there I will ask