2nd Car (towing vehicle) insurance

[diverdad]

Hi all, many appologies if this topic has been covered but I wish to raise the subject again.

I have a small car, (suzuki swift) for which I receive a car allowance for from the company I work for, I do a lot of miles and the swift is very economical, I also get a fuel card.
I have strict rules with what I am allowed to use hence the small cheap as possible runaround.

I need another vehicle to shift that big lump around that is sat on my drive.
I used to have a Isuzu Trooper which was great and before that a Nissan Navara which I loved to bits, (litterally).

Can anyone advise on the best way to insure a second vehicle for towing.
As this will be a second vehicle I cannot use my no claims bonus.
I am not really fussy about the vehicle (it will have to be cheap but reliable and at least 2.5 litre, preferably diesel).
I was thinking about a classic (good on the insurance), but the reliability thing creeps up.
I am edging along the lines of a transit type van or another trooper.
What are your thoughts on how to insure this vehicle?

Thanks

Lee

[Zagato]

A transit wouldn't be great for launching unless you have good slips!

[Max...]

An older Land Rover Defender - if it's 15 years old or more then you'll be on classic insurance, fully comp, agreed value at under £150 a year. I won't go into specifics here (check any of the numerous Landy forums) but a early 200 or 300Tdi will be fine (or even a 2.5 NA if you don't want to go too far too often - ignore the 2.5 Turbo), check the chassis/X-member/bulkhead for corrosion and gearbox and engine for excessive wear - other than that they are reliable as can be if looked after and cheap as chips to fix with a bag of spanners if they do go wrong.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Zagato

A transit wouldn't be great for launching unless you have good slips!

Seems to be a reasonably popular choice of tow vehicle for divers from what I've seen. You can manage most slips with common sense and a long rope.

Originally Posted by Max...

An older Land Rover Defender - if it's 15 years old or more then you'll be on classic insurance, fully comp, agreed value at under £150 a year. ....

Ignoring the inevitable argument about whether landy's are actually as good as people think - is it fair to say they attract a "premium" because they have a certain appeal?

[mark_j]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Seems to be a reasonably popular choice of tow vehicle for divers from what I've seen.

and pikeys!

[Seabay]

I have only ever used a transit in 10 years. Further more it is a Rwd version aswell. As mentioned. common sence and sometimes a good rope.

[Boats&Outboards]

Without wanting to cause any debate but I'd have thought you would get stopped quite a bit more in a Transit van towing a Rib so just make sure your brakes are working as they should!

Assuming it's a plain white/blue one that is!

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Markyboyo]

When I went from one car to two I also faced the problem of only having one no claims bonus to use.
I went with an Admiral multi-car policy in the end as they were already the cheapest on the car I already had but would allow me to mirror the no claims bonus on that to another car insured with them too.

[jezza2011]

I insured my car with Admiral and they are ok.
Even took into account my company car no claims as well as older no claims bonus that I had on my range rover with them.

PS the rangie we a good towing vehicle but did need some looking after and tlc.
I rebuilt the engine and it never put a foot wrong. ( pervious engine ripped it self to bits as the muppet who I got it off didnt do up some oil pipes/cooler/filter and the wrong engine. brought as a 3.9 but was actually a 3.5 and this was a rangie garrage so he gave me a 3.9...long story)

I would have another one. It was on LPG also.

I have in the past ran 2 cars of my own and had the same NCD on both insurance companys without issues from either companys.

[Max...]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Ignoring the inevitable argument about whether landy's are actually as good as people think - is it fair to say they attract a "premium" because they have a certain appeal?

How do you mean Polwart - a premium as in increased cost? Not sure what a 'new' Defender would cost to insure but generally older utility Landys are very reasonable to insure and low cost - my '98 300Tdi 110 CSW is around £200 a year fully comp on my Admiral multi car policy, my 1986 'classic' Ninety Landy is around £125 fully comp/agreed value.

[Poly]

A premium as in higher purchase cost, not insurance cost. So if you had two vehicles equally as capabable of doing what the OP wants/needs and one is a Landrover - would the Landrover not cost more simply because it is a Landrover? You are paying for the badge/kudos of it being a Landy - even though the OP just wants a cheap 'tractor' for moving his boat...

[Max...]

I don't think so (specifically as the OP is looking for an older second vehicle) - utility Landys have a high cost *new* because the manufacture and build process is essentially 60 years old and ridiculously costly. That's why they are finally about to stop production - second hand Landys hold their value well after the initial depreciation and at certain ages stop losing value - hence very cheap to run as parts/insurance is negligable and depreciation becomes virtually zero. And in terms of enthusiasts' only the VW lot come close to the nutters that love and support old Landys.

If you want a simple to fix, cheap to buy, easy to re-sell boat pulling utlity then a Landy fits the bill, they are not for everyone though...

[Portholme]

I know it's not on thread but we had an admiral multicar policy which was great value in year one. The renewal has just come through at twice the price for the second year with no change to the policy £1300. By shopping around I've managed to get the price back down to £600 for both vehicles. I asked the call Centre guy why and he said they only price match other brands in their group. Good luck to them I say, they're being shafted by competitors!!!

I wish insurance companies would keep consistent so I didn't have to keep shopping round so much.

[jezza2011]

Arr I had this with Admiral. Phone them up and tell them its too expensive and you haev had cheeper quotes.
I compared my renewal lettter to tehir online quites and the online was cheeper by £100 so called them up and they amended my renewal.

They need to be kept under scruteny at renewal time.

[Max...]

[puts on grumpy consumer hat]

As Jezza says, this applies to *any* on-going deal you might have - BT phone/broadband, Sky subscription, car insurance, home insurance, Big Yellow storage - it's a pain but they all rely on customers not being bothered to switch. Every renewal, ring them up - threaten to leave/move business and they will *all* drop their rates to keep your business - don't accept the first offer either - they usually drop to an even lower rate if pushed!