Car Insurance??
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Car Insurance??
Although this isn't directly related to military aviation, I need your advice! I'm looking for advice on which company is best for car insurance when you are "in". Are there any pitfalls I should be aware of before I start or things to mention/not mention? Many thanks in advance.
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Spacer lad
Car Insurance companies are consistent in their treatment of everybody. They don't care whether you are blue, brown, civvy, mil or Martian. They'll look at your postcode, car, your age, sex and occupation and take an arbitrary view. Granted, I've been out for 10 months now, but in my time in, I did not find an insurer that was sympathetic to the military. In some respects, quite the opposite.
Example:
"Is your car garaged overnight Sir?"
"No, but it is parked on the drive and there is an armed guard within 24hr line of sight 50 yards away."
"So it's not garaged then?"
Get my drift. Ring around and get the best quote you can. Although, having seen how you threw that green Caravelle around, buy, are we in trouble!!
.
Good luck!
Car Insurance companies are consistent in their treatment of everybody. They don't care whether you are blue, brown, civvy, mil or Martian. They'll look at your postcode, car, your age, sex and occupation and take an arbitrary view. Granted, I've been out for 10 months now, but in my time in, I did not find an insurer that was sympathetic to the military. In some respects, quite the opposite.
Example:
"Is your car garaged overnight Sir?"
"No, but it is parked on the drive and there is an armed guard within 24hr line of sight 50 yards away."
"So it's not garaged then?"
Get my drift. Ring around and get the best quote you can. Although, having seen how you threw that green Caravelle around, buy, are we in trouble!!
.Good luck!
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Thanks for the prompt reply. I was just wondering if there were any insurers specifically for the Forces (or any traps that I may need to watch out for in policies)? So, I met you at RIAT then?? The Caravelle was only the worse off from one of my colleagues treatment. We'd only had it an hour at that stage. Doh! 
One pitfall you need to be aware of is that very few car insurance companies cover 'airside use'. As far as I'm aware, the Norwich Union will cover you through a NAAFI agreement; however, if your place of work is 'airside' and you some decrepit piece of service MT runs into you, beware that you will not be covered if you don't have airside cover!
Oh - and MoD will try to tell you that your private vehicle is only permitted on their hallowed turf 'at your own risk'. This has, I believe, been proven to be utter bolleaux in law before, but they may try to hide behind it they damage your vehicle. They have just as much a duty of care towards you and your property as does anyone else.
Oh - and MoD will try to tell you that your private vehicle is only permitted on their hallowed turf 'at your own risk'. This has, I believe, been proven to be utter bolleaux in law before, but they may try to hide behind it they damage your vehicle. They have just as much a duty of care towards you and your property as does anyone else.
Most of it's been said but just to add that I've never seen a definition of where airside actually starts and finishes. Additionally, you need to have certain minimum insurance if you are going to claim duty mileage - the details are on the claim form I think. In any event your cover needs to include business use if that's what you are going to do, but again you need to be sure of the definitions.
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Thanks everyone for the info on insurance. I've just ordered my new car, and am just trying to make sure I get the insurance correct! I've found Elephant so far the cheapest, but just wanted to make sure that there wasn't anything I hadn't though of (in their or anyone else's small print regarding HM Forces).
didntdoit: Ah, finally I have worked out who you are, but I'll not give it away here. I think you said to me at RIAT 2002 that you were retiring at Xmas.
didntdoit: Ah, finally I have worked out who you are, but I'll not give it away here. I think you said to me at RIAT 2002 that you were retiring at Xmas.
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didntdoit: Thanks and I should hopefully be able to get to RIAT 2004. I thought it was wicked fun this year, no matter what anyone else says! 
Ali Barber: Thanks for that tip. I've got the guide, but never really read it. I'll dig it out.
Ali Barber: Thanks for that tip. I've got the guide, but never really read it. I'll dig it out.
Try More Than. If you insure more than one car with them you get a big discount, plus their rates are very good in the first place. If you have an unusual car try insuring through the owners club.
Some more money for Capt PPRuNe
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Spacer, just in case you haven't already tried it, run your proposal through Moneysupermarket ( www.moneysupermarket.com ). I have just reinsured our two cars and got a £30+ reduction on each of the renewal quotations which were fairly reasonable to begin with.
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Spacer, i'd suggest Quoteline Direct as a good option.
They offer discounts for various professions including aviation, I've got a BMW M3 insured through them for under a grand (Norwich Union just laughed when i asked them for a quote!)
Cheers
They offer discounts for various professions including aviation, I've got a BMW M3 insured through them for under a grand (Norwich Union just laughed when i asked them for a quote!
)Cheers
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SO FAR Have heard these beauts from insurance co's.
Insurer) So, is the car garaged?
A) No but it's kept on base under armed guard:
Insurer) That's gonna cost more because it's obviously at risk from terrorist attack.
Insurer)Occupation?
A)Pilot.
Insurer) Thats gonn'a cost you more, you might drive your car like you drive an aeroplane!
Do not at all think that the forces "discount book" actually offers cheapest deal. If you are a pilot, suggest you don't admit it, rather say you're an officer.
Don't know the answer but seems they have an answer for everything.
G'night
Insurer) So, is the car garaged?
A) No but it's kept on base under armed guard:
Insurer) That's gonna cost more because it's obviously at risk from terrorist attack.
Insurer)Occupation?
A)Pilot.
Insurer) Thats gonn'a cost you more, you might drive your car like you drive an aeroplane!
Do not at all think that the forces "discount book" actually offers cheapest deal. If you are a pilot, suggest you don't admit it, rather say you're an officer.
Don't know the answer but seems they have an answer for everything.
G'night
The other thing to watch is cover when you are claiming 1771- you need business cover. For us old ones it is not usually anymore expensive but essential. The other way round the problem is to refuse to use your own car for service business.
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The best deals around at the moment are from www.tesco.com - they are busy attracting customers at the expense of the other insurance companies and have cut their rates significantly. I have just quoted a Rover 75 Tourer at £305 compared to my current through Norwich Union of £460. Direct Line are another alternative. Good hunting.
(a bear of little brain)
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As regards occupation pilot will get a loading from most, if not all, companies. 'Commisioned Officer' on the other hand will not. As regards companies don't know about rates but if you are trying to build up no claims bonus Admiral give a years no claim per 10 months insured.
And I've had the 'Secure accomodation/not garaged but armed guards/sorry, no garage not secure' converation. With Admiral.
And I've had the 'Secure accomodation/not garaged but armed guards/sorry, no garage not secure' converation. With Admiral.