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Any advice on insurance for a 17yo boy


Oortam
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My son is just coming up to 17 and, having an interest in cars, is interested in having a car that at least looks good even if it is limited in performance. I asked my insurance company, direct line, to quote me on having a second car in my wife's name but with my son on the policy. They were happy to quote on a new vauxhall corsa 1.2sxi and gave a figure that wasn't too frightening. However when they asked about any options I would be adding to the car I mentioned I would be putting on a decent set of alloy wheels and a stereo upgrade, both supplied by vauxhall, I was told they wouldn't quote and they couldn't give me insurance. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't trying to improve the performance, just ,make it look better and have a sound system that you could plug an ipod into. I've been with them for years and have my house and two cars insured with them. I'm now thinking about taking all my business to a company that uses common sense. Does anybody know if this is standard with all companies, and if not any recommendations.

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it's going to be difficult with most insurers - you could choose not to inform them of a stereo that accepts an IPOD connection but they would probably refuse to pay out on a car that had new alloys fitted without declaring them.

I would say not to bother with the alloys idea - just my 10p's worth but it's more important for a 17yo to have transport than worrying too much about how the car looks.

the bonus with Direct Line is that they'll let your son earn the no-claims bonus as a named driver - and again (in my opinion) this is way more important than worrying about what alloys are on the car.

good luck - insurers have got more and more pedantic in the last 10 years and I hate dealing with them at the best of times.

169144-ok.gif

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The fact that you're trying to get a policy on a car with modifications is the problem, not what the modifications actually are.

Lots of companies won't quote for mod's at all, regardless of the driver's age or the model of car, nevermind for a new young driver.

As said above, I'd forget about alloys, or expect to pay a mint to some specialist broker. crazy.gif

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the biggest pain I've encountered recently is people like Admiral who claim that factory-fitted options e.g. Leather, sunroof etc will not be covered in any payout.

Told 'em to stick it and have now found a policy that even pays out like-for-like on modifications e.g. Milltek exhaust.

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[ QUOTE ]

the biggest pain I've encountered recently is people like Admiral who claim that factory-fitted options e.g. Leather, sunroof etc will not be covered in any payout.

Told 'em to stick it and have now found a policy that even pays out like-for-like on modifications e.g. Milltek exhaust.

[/ QUOTE ]

IIRC I had the same problem with a quote from Admiral last year for the 535d; they claimed that if I had an accident and damaged one xenon light it'd be replaced with a standard item yelrotflmao.gif

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I've just been searching for insurance quotes. Most companies aren't bothered about stereo equipment, but any other modifications, and most companies wont even quote.

Its horrendous. My diesel BMW seems to be counted as a performance car yelrotflmao.gif I have non-standard alloys, and the missus is under 25, and as such, most companies wont even quote, and most that do give stupid quotes.

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The way you phrase your post there 'Oortam' makes it sound like the Corsa is being bought for your son now he is 17. Be careful.

The insurance companies are not stupid. They will still gladly accept your premium under your partners name knowing full well your son is going to be the main driver, but they may refuse to pay out in the event of him having a crash.

Ian

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Maybe an option is to buy something safe but still with some street cred (older golf?), let him drive it for a year under his or mum's name. Once he has a year under his belt, get a newer car (if wanted) and insurance should be cheaper then. First year is always the worst. Just be glad you don't live in Ireland. I was a relatively late learner (26), male and paid Eur3000 for my first year in a 5yo Honda civic 1.4. Next year was slightly better - only Eur2200!

Do some companies still offer discounts if you've taken X hours of professional instructor driving? may be worth checking.

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Thanks for all your comments. The car will be my wife's car and she'll be the main driver, it's just that he'll be able to use it, once he can drive. He wants to add factory fitted 17" wheels as he thinks they balance the car better, and I have to say I agree with him. The car comes with 15" wheels as standard and they just look too small. He will also be paying for the upgrades himself so he has an interest in keeping it all looking good. It just seems the insurance companies have got us by the b*%££s and there's nothing we can do about it. I think a bit of common sense in calling a car modified seems like it's too much to ask. We've got a couple of months to go before we need to make a decision so I'll let you all know the outcome.

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[ QUOTE ]

factory fitted 17" wheels

[/ QUOTE ]

if they're true factory-fitted then surely the car is not modified ?

whatever the case, appreciate you want your son to have something to look good in (and hopefully look after) but it's driving experience he needs - the nice stuff can come later.

Let us know how things progress 169144-ok.gif

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Oortam, I'm with DirectLine and they have accepted all my mods (alloys, suspension, performance exhaust, big brakes, remap, CAI, SatNav) without any extra premium. But, I'm 59yo with a good record and I think it's your boy's age which is putting them off. Right or wrong, aftermarket alloys and fat stereo gear rings their 'boy-racer' alarm bells!

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There is always the other school of thought that just says drop the ideas about the alloys etc.

If he is acutally intreasted in cars a Corsa with a 1.2 engine will only hold attention for about 2 seconds and he will want to change it. Then he can go for a car with an engine, wheels, suspension etc to match the car making it all worth while and saving you stack a notes too.

I always find those low out put vehicals that are jazzed up always get unrequired attention from the both the law and other drivers.

Geoff

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He's following in my footsteps and has a healthy interest in motorsport. He's been driving go carts since he was 14 but he also seems to have common sense and an interest in cars in general. The car will not be his but he will be using it so I thought it was sensible to allow him to have some input in the choice of car. We looked at Seat Ibeza, Peugeot 206 and the New Corsa and of the three the Corsa was the best option. I was surprised as well! Vauxhall offer a 17" alloy wheel with 215/45 tyres on it for an extra £250, and they're smart wheels. They seem to have thought about the car and the market it's aimed at and I think they've done a good job. When he's older and paying for his own car he can choose what he likes but this one has got to be acceptable to the rest of us as well.

Anyway, after christmas I'll get on to more than etc and see what they say.

Have a good Christmas all and have fun

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[ QUOTE ]

errmmm.. im having the same trouble atm - a comp. policy is gonna set me back £2k+ on a car worth half that - the best so far is with endsleigh - they do alot of student cover, but even that is high. any help appreciated 169144-ok.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

My daughter is with them, they made taking her car to Liverpool feasible 169144-ok.gif

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