Jdm Import Insurance

[steve2006]

For the last 4 years of ownership I have had no real problems insuring my Toyota Celsior and this has been through A plan for the last 2 years with the Groupama company.

Due for renewal in early January I received a letter from A plan asking me to contact them to confirm my vehicle details and on doing so I confirmed all the relevant details and was then told that my present insurance company had "stopped covering imports" and another company I have used "Highway" had also done the same.

I was told that A plan's "Specialised import section" would look into cover and then get back to me.

This has got me slightly worried in that is my premium going to go through the roof? I have paid around £300.00 for the last 4 years for fully comp with protected NCB.

[GEN]

For the last 4 years of ownership I have had no real problems insuring my Toyota Celsior and this has been through A plan for the last 2 years with the Groupama company.

Due for renewal in early January I received a letter from A plan asking me to contact them to confirm my vehicle details and on doing so I confirmed all the relevant details and was then told that my present insurance company had "stopped covering imports" and another company I have used "Highway" had also done the same.

I was told that A plan's "Specialised import section" would look into cover and then get back to me.

This has got me slightly worried in that is my premium going to go through the roof? I have paid around £300.00 for the last 4 years for fully comp with protected NCB.

Hope you are lucky again! If so, let me know - I certainly haven't been so lucky and my LS400 is a UK car - inspite of over 11NCB (no claims, no accidents), relatively safe location and not a journalist or in the motor trade I had quite a time just getting insurance (not fitted with a Tracker, sir? Can't insure it then). Finally, Tesco accepted - over £400! (second car and more expensive to insure than my Porsche!)

[Swindon Andy]

If you invest in a few hours looking on line and phoning around, I would have thought you could get your Celsior import insured for around £350 - depends on your details of course.

Companies are well known for discounting for new business, so give them a low figure when they ask your renewal price.

I was with A Plan but they jacked their prices this year. I ended up with Nationwide/Liverpool Victoria, but I don't have an import this time.

[Nitmoi]

Try NFU folks, its a mutual society and the profit gets signed over to charity.

[The-Acre]

For the last 4 years of ownership I have had no real problems insuring my Toyota Celsior and this has been through A plan for the last 2 years with the Groupama company.

Due for renewal in early January I received a letter from A plan asking me to contact them to confirm my vehicle details and on doing so I confirmed all the relevant details and was then told that my present insurance company had "stopped covering imports" and another company I have used "Highway" had also done the same.

I was told that A plan's "Specialised import section" would look into cover and then get back to me.

This has got me slightly worried in that is my premium going to go through the roof? I have paid around £300.00 for the last 4 years for fully comp with protected NCB.

Although my car's not an import, but I've never paid over £250 fully comp with full NCBP. It may be because it's older (93) but Churchill cover it under their classic car policy. Swift were also much cheaper than anyone else. I found the best deals by going to one of the online compare the market sites. The difference however is vast, last year the cheapest was £245, the most expensive £1,700!!!

[steve2006]

For the last 4 years of ownership I have had no real problems insuring my Toyota Celsior and this has been through A plan for the last 2 years with the Groupama company.

Due for renewal in early January I received a letter from A plan asking me to contact them to confirm my vehicle details and on doing so I confirmed all the relevant details and was then told that my present insurance company had "stopped covering imports" and another company I have used "Highway" had also done the same.

I was told that A plan's "Specialised import section" would look into cover and then get back to me.

This has got me slightly worried in that is my premium going to go through the roof? I have paid around £300.00 for the last 4 years for fully comp with protected NCB.

Although my car's not an import, but I've never paid over £250 fully comp with full NCBP. It may be because it's older (93) but Churchill cover it under their classic car policy. Swift were also much cheaper than anyone else. I found the best deals by going to one of the online compare the market sites. The difference however is vast, last year the cheapest was £245, the most expensive £1,700!!!

I have tried the comparison websites but my problem is when I try to enter the make and model i.e.Toyota and Celsior in the drop downs it isn't listed on most sites.

[The-Acre]

For the last 4 years of ownership I have had no real problems insuring my Toyota Celsior and this has been through A plan for the last 2 years with the Groupama company.

Due for renewal in early January I received a letter from A plan asking me to contact them to confirm my vehicle details and on doing so I confirmed all the relevant details and was then told that my present insurance company had "stopped covering imports" and another company I have used "Highway" had also done the same.

I was told that A plan's "Specialised import section" would look into cover and then get back to me.

This has got me slightly worried in that is my premium going to go through the roof? I have paid around £300.00 for the last 4 years for fully comp with protected NCB.

Although my car's not an import, but I've never paid over £250 fully comp with full NCBP. It may be because it's older (93) but Churchill cover it under their classic car policy. Swift were also much cheaper than anyone else. I found the best deals by going to one of the online compare the market sites. The difference however is vast, last year the cheapest was £245, the most expensive £1,700!!!

I have tried the comparison websites but my problem is when I try to enter the make and model i.e.Toyota and Celsior in the drop downs it isn't listed on most sites.

I see what you mean. Maybe best to make phone calls rather than trying online? Don't know if this link will produce any results, they're supposed to be Jap import insurance specialists.

www.nipponautomotive.co.uk/insurance

[Swindon Andy]

Jap Import insurers I know of:

*A-plan Thatcham branch (only)

Churchill

*Privilege

Swinton

*Sky

Admiral

*Adrian Flux

I've used all the *, but won't use Privilege again as they didn't cover driving other cars.

[Nitmoi]

You did not try NFU then?

[Stevie 79]

For the last 4 years of ownership I have had no real problems insuring my Toyota Celsior and this has been through A plan for the last 2 years with the Groupama company.

Due for renewal in early January I received a letter from A plan asking me to contact them to confirm my vehicle details and on doing so I confirmed all the relevant details and was then told that my present insurance company had "stopped covering imports" and another company I have used "Highway" had also done the same.

I was told that A plan's "Specialised import section" would look into cover and then get back to me.

This has got me slightly worried in that is my premium going to go through the roof? I have paid around £300.00 for the last 4 years for fully comp with protected NCB.

Try Footman James I have Mazda eunos (mx5) insured with them also my LS400 there very good

[steve2006]

You did not try NFU then?

I.m OK until 10/01/2011 and haven't had a chance yet,tooo busy at work! But I will give them a call,thanks for the info

[steve2006]

For the last 4 years of ownership I have had no real problems insuring my Toyota Celsior and this has been through A plan for the last 2 years with the Groupama company.

Due for renewal in early January I received a letter from A plan asking me to contact them to confirm my vehicle details and on doing so I confirmed all the relevant details and was then told that my present insurance company had "stopped covering imports" and another company I have used "Highway" had also done the same.

I was told that A plan's "Specialised import section" would look into cover and then get back to me.

This has got me slightly worried in that is my premium going to go through the roof? I have paid around £300.00 for the last 4 years for fully comp with protected NCB.

Try Footman James I have Mazda eunos (mx5) insured with them also my LS400 there very good

Thanks for the advice and welcome to the LOC,it's not very often we get new members giving good advice,it usually when they have a problem lol

[janey]

A-Plans branch at Thatcham have now taken over doing 99% of imports - we were told that one of ours (the bB) could no longer be dealt with at the other branch, there was no price hike and they were as good and as helpful as normal, and in fact I've moved my Vitz over to them as they did us an excellent deal on a group insurance on the other 3 cars (2 of which are imports) :D

[steve2006]

A-Plans branch at Thatcham have now taken over doing 99% of imports - we were told that one of ours (the bB) could no longer be dealt with at the other branch, there was no price hike and they were as good and as helpful as normal, and in fact I've moved my Vitz over to them as they did us an excellent deal on a group insurance on the other 3 cars (2 of which are imports) :D

Hi Janey,

I have been told the same thing by A Plan regarding the Thatcham branch now dealing with imports they haven't actually given me a quote yet but grilled me about the alarm system I have fitted.

[Stevie 79]

For the last 4 years of ownership I have had no real problems insuring my Toyota Celsior and this has been through A plan for the last 2 years with the Groupama company.

Due for renewal in early January I received a letter from A plan asking me to contact them to confirm my vehicle details and on doing so I confirmed all the relevant details and was then told that my present insurance company had "stopped covering imports" and another company I have used "Highway" had also done the same.

I was told that A plan's "Specialised import section" would look into cover and then get back to me.

This has got me slightly worried in that is my premium going to go through the roof? I have paid around £300.00 for the last 4 years for fully comp with protected NCB.

Try Footman James I have Mazda eunos (mx5) insured with them also my LS400 there very good

Thanks for the advice and welcome to the LOC,it's not very often we get new members giving good advice,it usually when they have a problem lol

Thanks for the welcome here's a link http://www.footmanjames.co.uk/index.aspx Steve.

[janey]

A-Plans branch at Thatcham have now taken over doing 99% of imports - we were told that one of ours (the bB) could no longer be dealt with at the other branch, there was no price hike and they were as good and as helpful as normal, and in fact I've moved my Vitz over to them as they did us an excellent deal on a group insurance on the other 3 cars (2 of which are imports) :D

Hi Janey,

I have been told the same thing by A Plan regarding the Thatcham branch now dealing with imports they haven't actually given me a quote yet but grilled me about the alarm system I have fitted.

LOL soundslike they have their priorities a little mixed up

Must confess that they didn't seem to be quite as quick & efficient as the other branch (as if they say they are going to do something or phone they always do) and I've built up quite a good relationship with them over the years, but it maybe worth having a word with whoever you usually deal with and they will gee thatcham up if you're not too impressed by their system...I think they are still learning how to be as good as the other branch :winky:

[steve2006]

A-Plans branch at Thatcham have now taken over doing 99% of imports - we were told that one of ours (the bB) could no longer be dealt with at the other branch, there was no price hike and they were as good and as helpful as normal, and in fact I've moved my Vitz over to them as they did us an excellent deal on a group insurance on the other 3 cars (2 of which are imports) :D

Hi Janey,

I have been told the same thing by A Plan regarding the Thatcham branch now dealing with imports they haven't actually given me a quote yet but grilled me about the alarm system I have fitted.

LOL soundslike they have their priorities a little mixed up

Must confess that they didn't seem to be quite as quick & efficient as the other branch (as if they say they are going to do something or phone they always do) and I've built up quite a good relationship with them over the years, but it maybe worth having a word with whoever you usually deal with and they will gee thatcham up if you're not too impressed by their system...I think they are still learning how to be as good as the other branch :winky:

Yes I need to get something done it's only a week away from expiring,I think I normally deal with Andy Snow at A-Plan perhaps the weather has affected him! lol

[steve2006]

So with no reply from A-Plan and the expiry now within days I decided to phone them at their Thatcham branch. Speaking to a young (sounding) lady I gave her the details and was told "you don't have a policy with us only a quote we did last year"

Panic then set in AM I INSURED? the renewal letter from A-Plan stated I was as the present policy expires on 09/01/2011 but what made it worse was I couldn't find my certificate for 2010/2011.

Anyway I was promised a ring back and she then rang to ask for the policy number and client reference which I provided from my 2009/2010 certificate and was told someone would contact me shortly but nothing.Rang Phil Snow who said it was in hand and a guy called Giles would phone me back but still hasn't

Totally confused and despondent by this point I decided to ring SKY insurance and was provided with cover for the coming year within 15 minutes at only £10.00 more than last year,same excess.

I don't know what's going off at A-Plan but they have now lost my business.

[janey]

That's a shame Steve, I hope they read this & get their bums into gear at Thatcham as I'm guessing you're not the only one in this situation and they will end up losing business.

Have found Sky are good on price and helpful in the office (had my Vitz with them last year) & the only bugbear I had with them is that unlike Flux/A-Plan etc you have to do all the leg work yourself if you have an accident rather than them working on your behalf.

[toxo]

As I was skimming down this thread I was hoping someone was going to mention Sky. They've been the only broker that's been able to insure me on 1 of my cars, and have insured me on all 3 in the past.

They will likely have paired you up with Chaucer insurance (part of the Lloyds insurance group) who have specific grey import policies, which is why I'd have suggested them to you if someone hadn't beaten me to it!

[steve2006]

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread with help and suggestions,I always take out the legal protection cover it's only £20.00 and have found it saves all the hassle when making a claim and it even covered me when I had an accident in the company van.

They said they would get the paperwork out today with a Cover Note which I shall carry on me until the MID shows cover.

Thanks again,

Steve

[steve2006]

I finally got a cover note from Sky today after having to chase it,some errors on the proposal which have been amended and the cover note shows the car as a Lexus but I was told the insurers would be informed it was an import model Toyota and to make sure it was clear I made a written note on the proposal form and sent a copy of the vehicle details from the logbook.

Also checked on the MID and the car is showing up as insured so OK there then.

Just got to save up now for some petrol! lol

As for A-Plan no one called me back and still haven't despite promises from Phil Snow, had it been up to them I would by now have not been covered, the consequences of which could be financial ruin if involved in an accident and the possibility of having the car crushed!!!