Hardtop Insurance

[Bongo]

I've just been finalising a quote for myself and i asked about the hardtop.

Now it adds about £200 on to the price of the insurance because they classify it as an exterior decorative change and  so the car is more likely to be stolen (i thought less likely as the roof makes it more secure surely).

Also they won't cover the cost of the hardtop with the car, which seemed rather annoying to me.

Can anyone recommend a good insurer for cars with hardtops and also for a young driver (22, 23 in 2 weeks) insuring his first car?

Or do i just not insure the hardtop and keep it in the garage?

[Liz]

So if the hardtop was supplied with the vehicle, surely it could not be classed as a change?  Go figure them out and good luck!

[filcee]

Go somewhere else - I've had companies insist a hardtop is a 'mod' and try to screw me accordingly.  I'm currently using Norwich Union, and have insured through Toyota before.  AFAIK it's not a mod, but a dealer fit option, and so I think should be treated as such, besides, it makes the car more secure ...

[Anonymous]

Gotta admit, I've never mentioned a HT top a insurer.

[Bongo]

I can see their point (after thinking about it) that it may be more likely to be stolen.

Consider 2 2s parked next to each other, 1 with a HT, 1 without - otherwise equal. A smart thief would want to nick the one with the hardtop as it's easy to flog on (~£500 on ebay).

I hope that made sense, explaining things isn't my strong point  s:? :? s:?

What really annoyed me was the fact they wouldn't cover the cost of it.   s:evil: :evil: s:evil:

Unfortunately i'm limited in my options of who to get insured with as only 3 or 4 companies are competitive   s:( s:(

[SteveJ]

Direct line made no distinction between my cars (the first one had a HT - the other 2 did not). I guess the problem arises if you retro-fit the HT, given all of the dealer's stance on availabilty of the HT as an end user accessory.

[Peter Laborne]

So if the hardtop was supplied with the vehicle, surely it could not be classed as a change?

Nope. The standard 2 does not include:
1) hard top
2) air con
3) leather seats,
4) CD autochanger
5) Sterio remote control
6) Mud flaps
7) Rear spoiler

If you have any of these, then they are classed as modifications.

What would happen if someone smashed the glass on your hard top (either yourself accidentily, or some yob)? You would phone up your insurance company and they would tell you that you have not told them that you have a hard top. They wouldn't pay out. According to their records you don't have a hard top, so why are you claiming for something you don't have?

There are differences in fitting options:
1) Factory fitted standard parts - these are the main nuts and bolts of the car (eg chassis, suspension, engine panels etc)
2) Dearler fitted standard parts - these are parts that all dealers add to all UK spec cars (eg Thatcham 1 cat alarm, locking wheel nuts etc)
3) Dealer fitted optional extras - basically what I have mentioned above
4) Dealer fitted modifications - anything that isn't available an optional extra

Points 1 and 2 you do not have to declare unless your insurance asks you to (eg does it have an alarm fitted?). Anything in points 3 and 4 you must declare them.

[Bongo]

Direct line made no distinction between my cars (the first one had a HT - the other 2 did not). I guess the problem arises if you retro-fit the HT, given all of the dealer's stance on availabilty of the HT as an end user accessory.

That sounds promising as they were one of the competitive ones, i'll have to give them a ring and make sure.

[heathstimpson]

Consider 2 2s parked next to each other, 1 with a HT, 1 without - otherwise equal. A smart thief would want to nick the one with the hardtop as it's easy to flog on (~£500 on ebay).
  s:( s:(

And some have had experience of suspected stolen hardtops on ebay lately  s:? :? s:?

[kanujunkie]

Why have a hard top in the first place!    s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

problem solved

[darrenjuggins]

Liz,

All them things you quote are in fact (if you want them to be) standard items, as you can order the car as such.

Therefore if its a new car, you just tell them the value you think it is worth new.

I asked if the hardtop reduced the price, but quite rightly they said, well the car is insured as a softtop, therefore that is most vunerable state for the car, so thats what we quote you on.

Never had an issue with insurance, didn't damage the hardtop in my garden (ice) excursion, but wouldn't have expected them to quible as the had all the details from purchase new.

Insurance companies should have 2 models for MR2 - With or Without hardtop as these are the two Models available (Leather of course is an additional option that is avilable to both).

Cheers

Darren

[Peter Laborne]

Insurance companies should have 2 models for MR2 - With or Without hardtop as these are the two Models available

There are two options of Roadster - manual or SMT. These are the only two models currently available. And either of these two models have an optional extra of a hard top.

If parts are an optional extra then they cannot be classed as standard parts.

Standard parts are items that are on all Roadsters.

Optional extras are additional items that are made available at time of purchase.

[darrenjuggins]

Sorry forgot about the Manual / SMT (Doh!)

But as you can only order a hardtop from new, then it is not a extra item....

is is actually a specification - i.e. like L, LX, GSI, Vogue, Etc, etc...

all these are depicted in glasses guide, CAP, etc....

therefore the insurance companies will recognise the same models...

thus - Manual / SMT with / without hardtop with be classified.

Darren

[aaronjb]

But as you can only order a hardtop from new, then it is not a extra item....

Except that isn't entirely true, is it..

FWIW, every insurance company I called (including Toyota) classed the HT as an option or modification, and it raised the premium.

[Anonymous]

When not in use your hardtop will be kept in your house/garage, therefore if stolen you'd be able to claim on your house contents insurance?

If it's on the car when the car's stolen then:
(i) if supplied new with the car your declared value on taking out your policy will cover it?
(ii) if it's retro-fit and not specifically been mentioned to the insurance cover then you've done your money

[Peter Laborne]

thus - Manual / SMT with / without hardtop with be classified.

The following quote is taken from the Toyota website:
Available in two versions - the MR2 Roadster and MR2 Roadster SMT (Sequential Manual Transmission) - it is a highly responsive, mid-engined, rear- wheel-drive roadster that delivers outstanding performance.

You see it in guides like Parkers because it is a common and major extra feature and people like to know how much things are. These guides prove an easy reference, but that's all they are....a reference.

[Peter Laborne]

If it's on the car when the car's stolen then:
(i) if supplied new with the car your declared value on taking out your policy will cover it?
(ii) if it's retro-fit and not specifically been mentioned to the insurance cover then you've done your money

Insurance companies will always try and find a loophole to get out of paying (remember they are in business to make money out of us).

My 2 came with leather seats, rear spoiler and the funky sterio remote. But none of these are standard parts, they are optional extras. Now if I declare just the value of the car with these parts, then how does the insurance company know what extra parts I have. How do they know that I haven't just over estimated the valuation of my car?

If my car is stolen why should they pay out for parts they don't know I have. They will only pay out to the value of the parts I have declared. And they could invalidate my insurance, especially if I haven't declared something that makes my 2 more desirable to steal.

[Peter Laborne]

But as you can only order a hardtop from new, then it is not a extra item....

Then I will ask you a simple question......does the bog standard MR2 Roadster (whether manual or SMT) come with a hard top?

[Anonymous]

My 2 came with leather seats, rear spoiler and the funky sterio remote. But none of these are standard parts, they are optional extras. Now if I declare just the value of the car with these parts, then how does the insurance company know what extra parts I have. How do they know that I haven't just over estimated the valuation of my car?

When a new car comes on to the market, the ABI applies a group rating which takes into account (amongst other things)  vehicle performance, security and theft-attractiveness.  The group rating (which is what is used to calculate all of our insurance premiums) assumes the car is fitted with the full list of "dealer options".  

If anything, owners of so-called lower spec cars (eg those without Hard-Tops leather/ AC etc) are losing out because their cars are rated the same as those that come with all of the above.

TBH I think it's a fairly dated idea that insurance companies are simply in business to rip people off and avoid paying claims.  If nothing else, consumer protection / case law (and the Ombudsman) have put pay to that.

[darrenjuggins]

Toyota MR2 Roadster brouchers, new and old (I have both) state:

"Factory Fitted Hardtop"

Darren

[Peter Laborne]

Have a look at the Toyota website:

Click here to jump to the "Build your MR2 Roadster" page, then work through to the OPTIONAL EXTRAS bit.

Also it says under the "Styling" section - The soft top has an easy raise/lower mechanism that leaves it perfectly flat when not in use - there's no need for a separate cover - while the optional colour-keyed hard top is fully detachable. Both tops incorporate a heated glass rear window.


It may say "factory fitted" but this is because Toyota claim that you cannot retro-fit a hard top. For them to stick to this claim then they need to say that it is factory fitted.

  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[darrenjuggins]

Peter do you actually have a hard top ?

If so have you so called declared it to your insurance ? ? ?

To answer our friends question I DO, I use EAGLE STAR insurance, which is now Zurich and since Nov 2000, the car has been insured as purchased, with "factory fitted" hard top.

As stated in the first phone call after purchase, I pay no more than a standard vehicle.

Hope this helps.

Anyone else with a hard top wish to give our friend there experiences.

Cheers

Darren

[Peter Laborne]

Peter do you actually have a hard top ?
If so have you so called declared it to your insurance ? ? ?
Anyone else with a hard top wish to give our friend there experiences.

That's not the discussion. You were claiming that the HT was a model of Roadster along with the SMT and manual. Some were saying that you shouldn't even tell your insurance broker. I was saying that it is a mod and that you must declare it in your insurance.

Whether I have a hard top or not makes no difference to this discussion. If I don't, does this mean I don't know Jack? Does it mean everything I have said is BS? Of course not....everything I have said is fact, either taken from Toyota's website or from knowledge of declaring stuff to insurance.

To answer our friends question I DO, I use EAGLE STAR insurance, which is now Zurich and since Nov 2000, the car has been insured as purchased, with "factory fitted" hard top.

As stated in the first phone call after purchase, I pay no more than a standard vehicle.

So you have declared your hard top   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

As a note, I was told that the leather seats and rear spoiler had to be ordered when you purchased the vehicle as they couldn't be retro-fitted later on (I was told by them that you could retro-fit air con). Both of these I have declared as optional extras on my insurance and it didn't make any difference to the quote.

[darrenjuggins]

OK Back to question of Bongo, just re-read the thread........

Bongo - Have you now got insurance (that dosen't rip you off) which includes the Hardtop without any quibbles  ??

Peter the reason for asking if you had a hard top, was to acertain if you where talking form experience with your insurer over a hard-top, not to dis-miss your comments, which are obviously valid for your other at purchase modifications.

I think any insurer could be funny if they wanted, but (touch wood) all of mine in the past and present have been very good at replacing stereo's, accidents, etc, etc.

therefore I don't mind paying a little extra knowing that things will be sorted quickly and efficiently without any agro.

They are even going to pay for the re-furbishment of my 1 yr + few day old wheels which were fitted after the accident, that toyota have washed there hands of, a good service I must admit.

Cheers

Darren

[Bongo]

I'm picking the car up this week so i'm in the process of sorting out the insurance. With only 3 insurers that are at all competitive for me, I may end up having to get crap HT cover this time around  s:( s:(


I've heard good things about Direct Line and their price was good, so hopefully it'll be ok, they also have the plus side that TTE springs might not affect the premium   s:D s:D