I’m toying with the idea of doing some minor modifications to my 2006 NC Sport, over the winter when I’m not using it.
I’m thinking of adding some Meister Zeta S coilovers, and possible aftermarket alloys, Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 in anthracite, if they are available in that colour, or getting the standard alloys refurbished, either anthracite or regular silver.
I’m 47 and the car is cheap to insure. I tried a comparison site and they certainly loaded the premium by a pretty large amount.
I’m in two mind at the moment, as the car is really not bothering me that much, but I know it can be better. Just wondered if any body could recommend any companies that don’t take the **** as much as others. I’d rather avoid Adrian Flux, i found them shockingly bad years ago,still it’s not an industry where customer service is great in my experience.
I’m interested in peoples responses to your post; I also wanted to make mods, fit lowered springs and 17" wheels… nothing dramatic on the face of it, and certainly nothing boosting power.
The wheels made very little difference, but any mod to suspension (Eibach 30mm lowering springs in my case) seemed to scare a lot of companies away.
The high-street brokers increased from less than £200 (no mods, 50 yr age, only 2 yrs no claims - because of years having company car!) to more than £500 with lowered suspension. Even the well-known specialists like Flux/FJ/APlan/Greenlight) increased to over £300. So for this year, the car remains ‘standard’… more research to be done.
Maybe it’s just a case of insurance companies saying “Any suspension mod suggest you’re going to drive a bit more enthusiastically, and we have statistical evidence that makes you a higher risk”… but a big uplift nonetheless!
Mine is an NBFL with the adjustable suspension upgraded brakes, turbo etc etc
I’m now the wrong side on 50 but my insurance with Greenlight on the last renewal with 3 yrs ncb (2nd car) was £229 which I thought was fine considering.
So with the mods your talking about I don’t see why you have been quoted so much. Shop around I say
Thanks very much for the replies guys, some interesting reading. Admiral and Greenlight were two companies I had actually thought about. I don’t get insurance companies just seems like a big con to me.
When I was looking to buy a convertible, I thought about getting a car setup well in standard form, as I can’t be bothered with insurance companies. I did seriously think about a later Honda S2000, as from my experience owning a DC2 Integra Type R these cars are probably setup really well for fast road use, in standard form, yet cheaper to insure than a mildy modded MX5 NC 2.0 Sport, yet a lot more powerful, and much more likely to be crashed in the hands of somebody returning to RWD like myself, after many years. Still the price, age of these cars, lack of choice compared to the MX5, expensive tax on later cars, made me think otherwise.
Another thumbs up for Admiral from me, they seem to use AXA insurance, and when I asked them for a comparative quote they said “We have no idea how Admiral quote, so we can’t make a comparison”.
Admiral allow up to six modifications - more than most other companies, and for a single car their quote was good for me. However, as my son finally bought a car aged 40 (he’s been using hire cars for years, as he lives and works in Brighton, where car ownership makes life difficult) I asked Admiral for a multi car policy, to cover both of us driving either car. First year was reasonable, all things considered. Second renewal - price went up, rang and told them I wasn’t happy with the increase - it looked as if I was being punished for the discount offered to my son. They brought the renewal price down to a more reasonable level.
Same thing happened this year, so another call, and another discounted premium.
Frankly I have few other alternatives, pass 72 and most won’t touch you with a barge pole, Admiral raise no objection at all, so I’ll stick with them. I did knock off their breakdown cover though, and got the same cover from the RAC instead - neither offer home start, but if I can’t start it myself - I know a man that can! Admiral wanted £45 - RAC equivalent £30.
Also - first time ever, Admiral credit me with 15 years NCB, which is actually 50 odd years, but no-one wants to know that.
I just did an online quote with Admiral, declaring suspension changes and alloy wheels. The quote was £762, I just honestly don’t know how on earth they get that figure? The car costs around £200 unmodified, I have no convictions, 12 years ncb, live in a decent area, and the car is garaged. Quotes off comparison sites were coming out at about £320, but they were companies I’d never heard of. I think I’ll just leave this car standard, get the alloys refurbished, as I can’t be bothered getting ripped-off, or dealing with sharks. I’ve modified cars in the past and never been fleeced as much as I seem to be the older I get.
On reflection I’m pleased that the car isn’t that bad in standard form. Nest car I get, I think I’ll try and find something that is A1 in standard form, then I don’t have to bother about rip-off insurance companies.
I’ll probably try Greenlight, as I got a quote off them when I first got the car and it had cheap tyres on, and it handled like a bag of sh**e, I thought suspension was the only option. That quote was loaded by 20% on my existing premium. When I changed the tyres I thought I’d live with it for a year, as the car handled way better, and actually felt safe for the first time.
Don’t try online - ring them. That figure is more than I was quoted for two cars on a multi-car policy, BEFORE I talked them down. With two named drivers of both cars. Tell them you tried online, and the figure ís ridiculous, I think you’ll find talking is a lot more productive than looking.
It was years ago mate. I just wanted to cancel a policy I had had only had for around 2 months due to selling a car. I’d paid the whole premium upfront, and just got totally stung with charges for the refund. I wouldn’t think that Adrian Flux are alone in this practice though.
I think I’ll just keep the car standard and live with it, insurance is way easier that way. I could insure a vastly faster standard car than what I could a mildy modified MX5, joke really.
I have just renewed my insurance with Aviva for the 5th year running, my 2010 1800cc MX5 has -30mm Eibach springs fitted plus a st st rear silencer. Price £215 fully comp.
I have a multi car policy with Aviva to cover my 2010 MX5 and my 2015 Suzuki swift sport. Total price for both cars fully comp £465.
A similar price was quoted by Direct Line. Both companies were not phased by the suspension mod to my MX5.
I never use comparison web sites, I always ring the company to obtain the best quote.
I have max no claims discount of 9 years + on both cars and I’m 62 years old.
I have multicar insurance with Aviva on a Mazda 6 Tourer, a 2009 Mx5 and my 19 year old sons Audi A1 1.4tsi. I’m planning to “upgrade” the 5 with a few mods in coming weeks. BBR Super 200 and Koni suspension package. My son… car mad… is modding his A1. First mod is coilovers. So, I went online yesterday and chatted with the Aviva person about the mods to the Audi, expecting a hefty price hike. Stayed in online chat while she spoke to the underwriter… asked how much the car was going to be lowered, which coilovers etc
““If you went ahead with the modification, there would no change to the premium””
It’s also worth noting that my son with him as a the main driver had a quote of £1200 on the Audi renewal from Elephant. Over the phone, they said they could bring it down to £950 if he removed his ageing parents as named drivers! Bizarre. Switched it to the Aviva multicar, and it dropped to £650.
And when I put the 2.0 MX 5 on the multicar policy in place of a 1.4 Golf… the premium came down!