Car insurance for the Alfa

[Anth73]

I had an in-depth discussion with a representative from YOUI and also reviewed their PDS. The key differences are:
- they do not use a "rating" system but rather assess the risk based on each individual driver and determine a premium from that
- they cannot guarantee you will get your preferred repairer, however if your preferred repairer came back with a competitive quote then they would consider this....a bit fluffy in my books but perhaps not a huge consideration for a modern Alfa. Repairs are guaranteed for life whilst you are the owner of the car.

Their quote was about $250 cheaper than Shannons...good value in my books.

[156oro]

Hi.

I found that Shannons was the best price for my 77 Lancia Beta Coupe, but Allianz came in the best for the 2004 156... (Market Val - $29,500).

So I have a policy with each...!

Shop around...a funny thing I found is if you actually call them rather than use the Online Quotes they mostly quote cheaper over the phone...

[Al Campbell]

One thing that always worries me about insurance is that we all concentrate on the premium price and fair enough, if you can save $200 a year you will. But an insurer’s performance has another aspect when it comes to the crunch, literally: your beloved (cursed) Alfa has gotten bent and you have to make a claim. I’m happy with Shannon’s price for my GTV6, but I haven’t had to make a claim (even when all the brake fluid ended up on the road). As John Hanslow said: “The ‘best’ policy i useless if they do not pay out.” I haven’t noticed  anyone saying “I’m with so-and-so and they fixed my car after the bingle, no problems…”

AL "Keep you heap away from my ALFA" Campbell.

[Joe Garra]

I had to call on the services of Shannon's 3 times over the years for my 164Q, (once for someone walking on the bonnet, another time for a runaway ute reversing into it, and most recently , keys down both sides). It has been hassle free, repairer of choice, and I've been very happy.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

I haven't noticed  anyone saying "I'm with so-and-so and they fixed my car after the bingle, no problems..."

It's a good point you make.  He didn't say it in so many words, but I believe Marco (AlfaGTV100) was alluding to this point in one of the first posts.  And if you'd seen his car before and after the shunt, I think it would be fair to say his insurer did a great job of restoring it to an excellent finish.  Right Marco?

[alfagtv100 (Biggus)]

Bingo Sheldon.
A few of you have seen my car.  Its not concourse but its in pretty good nic and I do my best to look after it.  Yes, its my pride and joy.
Each time my beloved 105 was hit, it was a great cause of anguish for me. I had concerns over an insurance company not placing the same level of value on a 1972 car as I do.  Would the quote be contested?  Would my preferred repairers be given the job?  These and other questions were all that I could think about.
Shannons took away the stress and ensured the car was returned to a condition, equal or better than before the accidents.
Insurance only matters when you actually have an accident.  Until then, its simply an undesirable expense.
I have also insured my 159 with them, even though they were not the cheapest.
Even the process of obtaining a quote was impressive.  Give them your mobile number and try it yourself.
I cannot fault the level of service Shannons has provided to date.  I don't even shop around anymore as they have proven their value.

Some may say I am biased.  Its true.

[Davidm1600]

Yes i too must agree with all that has been said here re Shannons, I have all of my Alfas 105s, and 156 as well as Fiat 124 Sport, my wifeys modern Beemer and my 2 houses all insured with Shannons.  Have never had an issue and always got the agreed value I was seeking.  Cant say that to be true with insurers I was with in the past.  Dont get them, since if Shannons can do it why not others.  I too dont bother shopping around anymore
Dave

[Sportscar Nut]

I have had a good experience insuring all my cars (and home) with Shannon's for over 10 years and whilst I have never made a claim, highly value the choice of repairer option as would not trust my vehicles with a non choice of repairer.

My 105 and Lotus Esprit Turbo are covered under the one policy and I pay almost $900 for comprehensive cover combined valued at over $60K (limited mileage of 5K per year).

I have just received the renewal and noticed they have dropped the Lotus value by $1.5K so need to enquire why as have an agreed values on both cars.

A friend with a number of cars swears by Virgil who offer similar cover to Shannon's (ie older historic vehicles) and would be worth a call.

Regards
Paul

[1750GT]

Ditto here I have been insuring with Shannons for some years and have tried AAMI, RACV, GIO etc. for my classic, but could not find more competative quotations from anyone. In addition there is not a problem with a/ choice of repairer and b/ my children (including a learner driver) driving my classic alfa. Great insurer and really helpful in premium choices, I am on their limited drive comprehensive insurance which saves me even more money. The program is very flexible, you just have to drive your vehicle no more that "2-3" times a week and I can drive it in unlimited club events. With other insurers they have classic insurance but so many requirements like "club event only" use or kilometer limits etc.

Another insurer that I have found reasonable especially for modified cars is "Just Cars", they offer your choice of repairer and specialise in insuring classic or modified cars and have no problem with cars that have been super modified, but also insurer normal vehicles. The funny thing is that they are a subsidiary of gues who? AAMMI and are there to insuer the cars that AAMI wont, for example I cant insuer my Alfa with AAMI because they dont insure cars over 30 years old.

I agree with the many comments about checking the policy details and limits and not base the decision on price alone. A mate of mine got a cheap quote from RACV for his classic Fiat but learnt the hard way after an accident that he didn't meet the policy use requirements, not a happy outcome.

Happy hunting

1750GT

[Nick Shardey]

Hi All, just another option aside from Shannon's (My 105 is $190 for 9K and the 55 Oval VW is $210 for 15K!!!) is Lumley Special Vehicles LSV. They seem to be very switched on for newer cars; I have my 08 Golf GTI ($660 for a 2.0 turbo ) and the wife's late model Nissan XTrail family wagon ($520 ).

Cheers,

[avim]

LSV told me that a 156 was to new for them to insure.
Did you get a quote over teh phone, web or broker?

[John Hanslow]

That's interesting news Nick.  I was interested in a quote from LSV.

At the end of the day, we have the older classic cars and the newer modern era Alfa's clearly defined by the withdrawal from the market in the eary 90's and re-entry in the late 90's.

Shannons (a club sponsor) was great & cheap with my previous 164 and it was a limited use policy.  Now with my 156, they I will probably go to Shannons as they do have benefits like choice or repairer, windscreen replacement etc.  So actually pretty good value as its not only price with insurance but what they cover.

Cheers.

[TFJ100]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the helpful feedback on this forum.

I have a 2001 GTV V6. I have had rating 1 for life, no tickets or licence problems and no at fault accidents for 25 years. 4 years ago, someone crashed into my Subaru at a red light (idiots) so I have one not-at-fault claim.

2 years ago, Shannons wanted about $800 pa for a limited use policy (exact km are not specified). I changed to GIO last year which was about $750 for no km limit, rating 1 for life, and no requirement to garage the car overnight. This also included a 20% premium reduction for 2 named drivers.

This year, GIO reduced the named driver discount to 5% and the premium increased to $930. After ringing them, they agreed to drop it to $840.

Youi were around $890 (crappy online form - let me warn you), and there is a "pay as you go" company out there called Payasyoudrive.com.au, who offer 5,000km limited use policies. They were $950 - they took into account the not-at-fault claim so despite me having no fault in it, it may count against me

I will try Shannons again, but based on what I read above, I tried Dawes who are at $661 - a garaging requirement. I didn't see Rating 1 for life there, although you can protect your rating, which I guess is the same thing, just you pay extra for it. Dawes also give you a rental car for free for 17 days, which is extra with GIO and also Shannons from memory.

I will also try Lumleys and let you know the outcome.

Great to hear everyone giving Shannons a good rap (I thought they were good to deal with), but FYI they are also owned by AAMI. I had only a good experience with AAMI when the Subaru was being repaired, but they have come in for a bit of fire somewhere - Choice or RACV surveys of customer feedback, I think it was. 

[lombardi]

FOUND SHANNONS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN GIO,ESPECIALLY ON CLASSICS,GIO BEAT SHANNONS BY $100,AND U CAN HARDLY CALL GIO A SMALL INEXPERIENCED INSURANCE CO.,I ALWAYS DO GET QUOTES FROM SHANNONS,THEY ALWAYS WANT MORE, I RECOMMEND DAWES AS WELL AND WITH BEEMAS U CAN GO PAST BMW INSURANCE,COVER AND PRICE IS FAR BETTER[THAT IS IF U HAVE A BEEMA AS WELL-WIFES CAR]

[avim]

I work for BMW and drive a 1996 318is and found their insurance to be the more expensive than AAMI despite employee discounts