Multi car/trade insurance??

[v8kitten]

Is there anyone on here that has more than 2 cars insured and also a works vehicle? All the quotes I'm getting are around £3200!! Just wondering if it's better to try and get a traders policy but unsure how they work, would my Prefect still be able to go on or are they just for works vehicles?? Hate insurance at the best of times so any help would be much appreciated

[Ryannn]

Rather than a traders policy, Footman James now do a Collectors Policy. It was on the list when I rang up to change something on mine the other day.

[v8kitten]

Does that cover work vehicles aswell as private use?

[Ryannn]

Feb 14, 2016 9:23:44 GMT v8kitten said:

Does that cover work vehicles aswell as private use?

No idea I'm afraid, I've got a car with them at the moment at I only paid £25 for business use.

I read recently that there is a crack down on trader policies being used by people who weren't actually in the trade. Probabaly the reason the other policy has come about.

[JohnK]

I seem to recall that some trade insurance places do an 'enthusiasts policy' which suits the needs of those with a few cars.

[nigxl]

I insure with Aviva and they mirror my no claims to my other vehicles as I have 4 vehicles and can only drive one at a time.
All four cars work out at around £550

[bortaf]

I psid £950 this year for my trade policy with SDP added to it, i have 4 or 5 of my cars on it and add or remove a trade car 1 or so a month as they come and go, i do it online here
www.tradewiseinsurance.com/
That's £950 for me and the (ex) wife, covers me for an (up to) 2 car transprter (NOT for hire and reward ! only my own cars no-one elses ) i do have to nominate as personal or trade when adding a car but there's no limit to how many i have, most was 8 personal cars and 5 for sale, i have been with them for 15+ years so some may be like grandad rights, they may not offer the same to a new customer ? over the years i've has all my classics on it and they never batted an eyelid, 72 taunus pickup truck and my P100 as my daily work vehical for the last 5 years, cortina 2.3 Ghias estate as SDP for 3 years, even coverd me to and from a film set when i do work for them (does NOT cover me on set! that's either a grey area or the TV company extends it cover over your vehical), they've been pretty dam good over the years.

[retroade]

I'll second Tradewise. I pay under a grand for a policy that covers my works van (valeter/detailer) and up to 9 other vehicles. I have additions for non uk, LHD, high performance and classics, plus as a valeter it's perfect for me as I'm insured on any car with the owner's permission.

I highly recommend it, it's just peace of mind. If I buy a car I can cover it instantly online, and if I collect / deliver a customer's car it's no hassle.

[trouble]

Trade policy is great, but you do genuinely need to be in the motor trade

They may want proof, i.e receipts etc and customer invoices.

[joem83]

Have you tried Admiral?
You earn ncb on each car, so I currently have 2 lot's of ncb, which is handy.
Cost me £8 to add business use to my main car too.

[Deleted]

Feb 14, 2016 18:39:59 GMT trouble said:

Trade policy is great, but you do genuinely need to be in the motor trade

They may want proof, i.e receipts etc and customer invoices.

I was going to mention that.
I'm with Tradewise as a classic car restorer (part time) and my policy covers cars for personal use as well but will only pay trade write off value on classics. you need to declare what the work use will be and that will be the decider if you can get trade cover.

[dodgerover]

There used to be a 'Hobby' trader policy available (basically a stripped down traders policy) aimed at people working part time doing smaller numbers of cars a year, can't remember who offered it though.

As above expect to be asked to prove you are a trader in the event of any claim, so keep your books up to date, copies of your self employed tax return etc.

[carledo]

A mate of mine is a firefighter by trade, so many of them are part time traders and mechanics that motor trade insurers do special part time trade insurances for firefighters! I would think this probably also applies to some to other professions.

My own trade policy insurers have never quibbled at any vehicle I have thrown at them, American, grey import, Q plate, modified, classic, whatever, and certainly not a works van. But I am full time motor trade! Nobody asked me to prove this at the time I took out the policy, however, like Bortaf, that was a while ago, in my case, 34 years ago!

I think it unlikely that you would have to prove you are a trader to get a policy, even today, since you really need one in place BEFORE you start trading! Most "normal" policies specifically EXCLUDE "any use in connection with the motor trade", even driving a customer home in your own car is breaching the rules! And yes, insurance companies REALLY are that nit-picking - as if I had to tell you all that!

Steve

[hillbilly]

My only advice with regards insurance. It's very easy to convince an insurance company you are a trader when you're handing over the dosh for the policy. It will be much harder to convince them you're s trader when you're trying to claim £££££££ for losses, personal injury, legal fees (don't get me started on this racket) etc after an accident.

I buy my insurance online, it's easy. Fill in the boxes, select cheapest. Drive! When I made a claim however, they only then asked me to "prove" the details before paying out

Curse words

[Deleted]

I was asked to provide prove of trading/ business when I got my policy, this was in the form of my workshop rent agreement and account at a trade outlet.

[deanflowers]

Mines with tradex through a broker

Iam a collector and restorer and have 13 vehicles on it at the moment

[PistonBroker]

As mentioned Tradex have an 'enthusiast' type policy they do.

I've just placed a client with them as Tradewise came off cover because he couldn't prove he was a trader. Tbf, it was his previous broker that was at fault there - 6 different bills for parts over the previous 3 months is enough evidence and he would have found that easy to provide if he'd had it explained to him properly.

[mgbizzle]

Feb 14, 2016 14:20:56 GMT nigxl said:

I insure with Aviva and they mirror my no claims to my other vehicles as I have 4 vehicles and can only drive one at a time.
All four cars work out at around £550

Any of those cars modified?

[nigxl]

No all standard

[Dave Dorson]

I use REIS and I do motorsport prep for a few of my friends, I also do the odd service/repair from a unit I rent, but the insurance is basically for my stuff and perhaps the odd chodder I get to move on.

Covers me and my dad for road risk, on everything that I punch into their database.

It's not that expensive, especially given I managed to bang my rocco into a modern Passat on the A1 2 years ago when I swapped lanes too quickly to avoid someone who'd forgotten how slip roads work.

Modified stuff is covered, but I'd only get standard value of whatever I stuff back in the event of an accident.

To be honest, once my van/bug are done, I'm more likely to find a collectors policy that covers my other stuff too with agreed values.