Advice regarding insuring a 2zz Swapped MRS

[LegendaryD]

Hi all,

I was looking at buying a Spyder with a 2zz swap. The insurance quotes are coming back ridiculously high. Has anyone else had this issue on a engine swapped car?

Over 40/9+ NCB/Use of a company car/No points/kept on driveway overnight.

Flux gave an indicative quote over £700. When I spoke to them it went up to £1700 with no changes to the details I had given.

Quotes on other cars for comparison...

225hp Civic type R - £500
330hp Crossfire SRT-6 - £420
Standard MRS - £280
MRS with turbo and suspension mods £1k

So I can insure a 330hp unmodified car for a quarter of the cost of the 2zz MRS. I tried lower mileage and declared the value of the car relatively low as well.

Thanks for any help.

[Topdownman]

It doesnt make much sense but no, they dont like engine swops for some reason.

You could try Sterling (part of AF group) or see if Greenlight can do anything?

You are now part of a car club (us!) which can help sometimes and gives you more to talk about when speaking to brokers.

[Joesson]

@LegendaryD


Please see:

https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=75206.0

Flux I believe we're one time affiliates on here, but the few times I tried them with an unmodified 2 they were way more than main stream insurers/ brokers.
When I first started driving insurance was typically via a broker unless you knew of someone in Insurance.
My working years were typically with company cars but since retirement I've used on line comparison sites, most every year as the renewal is often too high!
I've never had a " modified" car, I can understand why that may be a concern for some but I would have thought a one time affiliate would have some understanding.
@Topdownman has had some experience of modified 2's.
Best to find out before purchase , maybe times are changing in the car world?

[JB21]

Try Greenlight, I've just paid £350.

[LegendaryD]

Thanks guys. I'll try Greenlight and Sterling.

Maybe it is just different times. I've had all sorts of cars over the years and this is the first time that getting reasonable insurance has been difficult. Will let you know the results as will hopefully be handy for others.

[LegendaryD]

It's a straight no from Greenlight. I live in the M34 area and apparently that is a straight decline with their insurers.

Time to try Sterling.

[Gaz mr-s]

Maybe the M34 area is the issue.  I'm older, but have 6 points, & a swapped-engine with Flux was going to be approx £390 a couple of months ago.   My partner has a 2zz-Compressor & she isn't paying daft money.  We used to be with Greenlight but had seperate bad phone calls.  She's with Lancaster.  Both of us on agreed-value policies.

[LegendaryD]

The area is definitely part of the issue (F* rated according to a 2022 list I found) but seems weird that a faster car doesn't attract a higher premium in the same area.

Sterling got back to me this morning - £795 (£830 for the Gold package). Still not as cheap as I would have liked but a lot cheaper than every other quote I have had so they are definitely one for others to try. I thought that their sales rep was really good as well.

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
Sorry we were unable to offer you a competitive insurance quotation. I hope you manage to find something acceptable.
Regards,
Dan.

[The Other Stu]

I thought I'd replied to this.

I had my 2ZZ done in 2020, so was 48 at the time. Was with Greenlight a couple of years, but Flux have been the cheapest since.

I'm around £250. In the same position as you - company vehicle, no points, driveway and a decent chunk of NCB (I'm not sure 9+ - I didn't have a private vehicle for some time).

So it's definitely the area. Everything on the car is declared too.