Fast Marina Magazine

I'm thinking of doing some engine/suspension mods on my pickup, I read with interest the mods that other owners have carried out on there Marina / Itals on here. What I am wondering is:- Have you modified anything on your Marina and if so did you inform your insurance provider and what sort of increase did this have on your premiums. I have been reading similar threads on a Ford forum, one in particular involved a Focus owner changing the colour of his original wheels, did what he thought was the right thing and informed his insurance company of the change and was hit with a £100 including admin charge to cover the the change, and that was for just painting his wheels. :shock:
Let us know of your experiences before I commit to my mods,
Cheers
Steve

I have made more than one or two mods to mine, I tell my insurers about everything I do. 5 speed box, 4 pot brakes, fancy wheels. The only thing that put the classic car policy premium up was the head mods, twin carbs and the Piper cam.

If you can, It's best to call your insurer and ask to speak to an underwriter before starting the work.

They will usually give you an idea of what a particular mod will do to the premium.

most insureres are ok with some mods mine did not bother them that i got roll cage and bucket seats in my coupe, but some insurance companys are very strict like the guy with the focus i have known people get charged extra for having a towbar fitted this is a mod from how it came out of the factory.

as said most insurance companies are OK with mods provided you tell them, some comapnies put a limit to how many mods they will accept and what type of Mods, if you give the car more performance improve the handling/braking at the same time and it shows you have thought out the mods and made the car safer. My Chevy Silverado SS had loads of mods, supercharger a re map of the ecu,headers and lots more,i was having real problems getting someone to cover it, then checked all the paperwork that came with it and found the brakes had been upgraded too and suddenly they would insure it and the policy wasn't loaded by much either..

but i'd aways check with your insurer before doing the mods.. just in case .. no good dong the mods and then cant drive it..

That's fairly good news, I am busy collecting parts for the BMW head swop, huge power increase, I alreasy have all of the parts for the Renault big vented disc mod, so that should be a plus! I fitted MGB rear cylinders adjusters and shoes quite a while ago but never informed anyone about that, brakes are better but it's still a mod. I have been running 14" revolution wheels with safe modern tyres for years now, again not told anyone! Perhaps next renewal maybe the time to have a chat with the insurer, (Footman James) anyone have any experience of this company with mods?
Cheers
Steve

That's who I'm with, they put you on a modified classic policy. A bit more than standard classic but not much.







Chris
www.marinacoupe.co.uk

But You'll be covered.. and thats the most important..

Insured the Blaze coupe today, £80.50 Comp legal PAI Etc etc loads of cover little price, i have 3 cars with them now, beat the best quote by over a fiver i'd got without even asking for price match, noted alloy wheels no extra although it's back on steels and new tires for the time being till i get another set of Slots.. ,

FOOTMAN JAMES is who im with too got three cars on a multicar policy

Yes Footman James are definately the best for standard cars for me, so I will get a requote nearer to renewal.
Cheers
Steve

I was with Footman James for quite a few years with various classic cars but unfortunately a couple of years ago they gave me a ridiculous quote for my 1.3 coupe so I went to a different company. This year they contacted me in letter form asking me to give them another try, so I did. I have insured both cars, 1.8 SDL Saloon and the Mumford, The latter being on an agreed valuation for a considerable amount of money, for just over £200. RESULT!!!!!!!

Gary.

Nice for you Gary,

Footman James seemed to go through a funny period a few years ago and lost the business on our Honda. This year they quoted £256 for the Marina (almost standard), so I contacted P James (my modified Jaguar is on a club policy with them). They offered to add the Marina to the same policy with £53 to cover 5 months until September when it will be approx £320 for both.

Both cars have significant modifications, it will be a saving of over £100 (sorry Josh if this makes you feel sick but there has to be some gain to being 64 and decrepid).

Brian

Martec wrote:(sorry Josh if this makes you feel sick but there has to be some gain to being 64 and decrepid).

Only due to the fact Footman James and Peter James were the worst companies I tried to deal with! Although I do hear via some of my TSSC friends both companies are now trying to talk with their underwriters about providing competitive rates for under 25s again....

My MGB V8 is £126 with Adrian Flux
Marina coupe is £11 a month fully comp with Lancaster and I'm not "decrepid". 8) One day I might actually drive the thing somewhere?

I've had a brief look into insurance for next year.

I plan to let the insurance expire in January, SORN the car until my birthday in February and then reinsure it after my birthday when I will be 20 (beginning to feel old now ). Results show that this will be back under a grand again with a modern car insurer, and who knows Footman James might be insuring younger drivers again then, although NCB on a modern policy is appealing....

Just had a quote from Footman James for £126 for the Porsche for 1500 miles and we will only tax it for 6 months, so FJ seem to be waking up (they lost 2 of our car insurances and others a year ago when we just couldn't get in contact with them). Loyalty means nothing now!!...............we are old.