Insuring a conversion in the UK
- bobby_come_lately
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Sun May 03, 2020 5:39 am
- Location: Manchester, UK
- Has thanked: 37 times
- Been thanked: 39 times
- Contact:
Insuring a conversion in the UK
Thought it might be useful to share my experience looking into insuring my converted car in the UK. Insurance is a particular challenge for me because although I have full no claims, and a clean driving licence, I live in the middle of a big city (Manchester) which has off-the-charts risk ratings for car insurance.
I started with four names of possible insurers and brokers from the adverts in various car magazines, and went from there (my initial list ended up with 15 insurers and brokers). This is what they said:
[Recommended options in bold)
Peter James (brokers): Don’t currently have rates from their underwriters for converted cars. It is something they are looking into, but they can’t offer anything at the moment.
Graham Sykes (brokers): Took my details, albeit without much understanding (“Is it turbo-charged, super-charged, or does it have nitrous?”). Clearly have some standard questions from their underwriters for conversions, including the source of the motor and batteries, the power rating of the motor, whether the conversion has been done professionally, and if not whether it will be inspected. They called me back after an hour and told me their underwriters had declined to offer insurance because of the area in which the vehicle will be kept (I live in Manchester), and the modifications.
A-Plan: Put through to their Thatcham branch where they handle modified vehicles. Long hold time here but very helpful when I got through. They asked all the usual questions but not much about the source of the hardware. They called me back the next day to say that their panel of insurers don’t have any policies for cars that have been modified for electric power.
Adrian Flux: I was nervous about phoning Adrian Flux because they were the one name everyone recommended but they had previously refused to quote on insuring my old Alfa GTV at my current address. In the end they did give me a quote but OUCH. £1575.
Greenlight Insurance: “I’m sorry we don’t insure BMWs” WTAF?
Brentacre Insurance: Don’t cover EVs. Tried it with their underwriters but no go.
Performance Direct: "Not something we specialise in. We could refer you to our underwriting team but we wouldn’t be able to agree a value on it."
Keith Michaels: Have covered conversions before. Very knowledgeable, excited about the project and very keen to do it. I was ruled out by my postcode but highly recommended. EDIT: Others have since called KM and been told they don't cover conversions [insert shrug emoji]
Run out of time for today but will keep trying the rest of my list and update here. For information the rest of the list is:
- Swinton
- Sky Insurance
- Footman James
- RH Specialist
- Arkwright Insurance Brokers
- CG Insurance
- Classicline Insurance
I started with four names of possible insurers and brokers from the adverts in various car magazines, and went from there (my initial list ended up with 15 insurers and brokers). This is what they said:
[Recommended options in bold)
Peter James (brokers): Don’t currently have rates from their underwriters for converted cars. It is something they are looking into, but they can’t offer anything at the moment.
Graham Sykes (brokers): Took my details, albeit without much understanding (“Is it turbo-charged, super-charged, or does it have nitrous?”). Clearly have some standard questions from their underwriters for conversions, including the source of the motor and batteries, the power rating of the motor, whether the conversion has been done professionally, and if not whether it will be inspected. They called me back after an hour and told me their underwriters had declined to offer insurance because of the area in which the vehicle will be kept (I live in Manchester), and the modifications.
A-Plan: Put through to their Thatcham branch where they handle modified vehicles. Long hold time here but very helpful when I got through. They asked all the usual questions but not much about the source of the hardware. They called me back the next day to say that their panel of insurers don’t have any policies for cars that have been modified for electric power.
Adrian Flux: I was nervous about phoning Adrian Flux because they were the one name everyone recommended but they had previously refused to quote on insuring my old Alfa GTV at my current address. In the end they did give me a quote but OUCH. £1575.
Greenlight Insurance: “I’m sorry we don’t insure BMWs” WTAF?
Brentacre Insurance: Don’t cover EVs. Tried it with their underwriters but no go.
Performance Direct: "Not something we specialise in. We could refer you to our underwriting team but we wouldn’t be able to agree a value on it."
Keith Michaels: Have covered conversions before. Very knowledgeable, excited about the project and very keen to do it. I was ruled out by my postcode but highly recommended. EDIT: Others have since called KM and been told they don't cover conversions [insert shrug emoji]
Run out of time for today but will keep trying the rest of my list and update here. For information the rest of the list is:
- Swinton
- Sky Insurance
- Footman James
- RH Specialist
- Arkwright Insurance Brokers
- CG Insurance
- Classicline Insurance
-
- Posts: 475
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2019 6:35 pm
- Location: Somerset, UK
- Has thanked: 43 times
- Been thanked: 109 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
I have been a little worried about insurance so that's a pretty helpful write up. Adrian Flux was going to be my first call as they cover my Defender which is not exactly stock as per most 30 year old Defenders.
- Bigpie
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:11 pm
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
- Has thanked: 75 times
- Been thanked: 304 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Adrian flux quoted £579 from memory for my Beetle conservation. TPFT was cheaper an TPO. I had hoped it would be less
VW Beetle 2003
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
-
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:42 am
- Location: United Kingdom
- Has thanked: 34 times
- Been thanked: 3 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Thats still high, I was quoted about 150 ( in stock ICE ) for my classic insurance, this is just anther factor that could put people off converting
- Bigpie
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:11 pm
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
- Has thanked: 75 times
- Been thanked: 304 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Indeed it is high, I've got a car and motorbike insured for less than £400.
The silly No Claims Bonus can only be used on one vehicle rule doesn't help.
The silly No Claims Bonus can only be used on one vehicle rule doesn't help.
VW Beetle 2003
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
-
- Posts: 475
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2019 6:35 pm
- Location: Somerset, UK
- Has thanked: 43 times
- Been thanked: 109 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
I've seen that a couple times. But I just send the same certificate of no claims whenever I insurance a car. That same no claims is on three insurances this year.
-
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:42 am
- Location: United Kingdom
- Has thanked: 34 times
- Been thanked: 3 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
My Zero motorcycle policy is about £250, but that comes with a whopping £1800 excess
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
I’m insured with Adrian flux, policy conversion all parts used in the conversion and unlimited other modifications, was about £650 but the RX8 insurance was always high, I figured the money saved on fuel makes it worth it
- Boxster EV
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 9:32 pm
- Location: UK
- Has thanked: 35 times
- Been thanked: 27 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
I’m with Adrian Flux. I have an agreed value of £15k and 12,000 miles per year for social and commuting. The premium is £449 PA.
Goodness knows how they’d manage things in the event of a claim though.
Goodness knows how they’d manage things in the event of a claim though.
-
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2020 11:33 am
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
LV have an EV-specific policy, but may be too mainstream a company to deal with conversions
-
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:42 am
- Location: United Kingdom
- Has thanked: 34 times
- Been thanked: 3 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
After the comments made I was starting to get concerned so I made a couple of calls, my car is a 1973 BMW 2002, so bear in mind this falls under classic car insurance.
I was pleasantly surprised from the premiums I had been quoted;
Footman James £121
Adrian Flux £117
( these are approx the same price as a standard classic car. )
Both did state that a receipt was required for the conversion work. will have to find a friendly garage when I eventually finish.
I get the impression that the price quoted wont be far off what it would have been under standard ICE car.
I was pleasantly surprised from the premiums I had been quoted;
Footman James £121
Adrian Flux £117
( these are approx the same price as a standard classic car. )
Both did state that a receipt was required for the conversion work. will have to find a friendly garage when I eventually finish.
I get the impression that the price quoted wont be far off what it would have been under standard ICE car.
-
- Posts: 475
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2019 6:35 pm
- Location: Somerset, UK
- Has thanked: 43 times
- Been thanked: 109 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
I asked them about conversions at the last fully charged live show. At that point they didn't cover them.mikeselectricstuff wrote: ↑Sat Jul 24, 2021 11:03 pm LV have an EV-specific policy, but may be too mainstream a company to deal with conversions
- Bigpie
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:11 pm
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
- Has thanked: 75 times
- Been thanked: 304 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Keith Michaels told me they don't cover converted electric cars when I called yesterday, despite their website having an article about it https://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/news/ca ... in-the-uk/
VW Beetle 2003
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
- Bigpie
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:11 pm
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
- Has thanked: 75 times
- Been thanked: 304 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Keith Michaels have given me cover for a pretty good price, £400. Speak to Matthew Moody.
VW Beetle 2003
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
- aot93
- Posts: 198
- Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:45 pm
- Location: UK, West Sussex
- Has thanked: 6 times
- Been thanked: 43 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Footman James updated the mini to Electric over the phone with no questions or extra cost.
Hopefully the DVLA will be as easy.
Hopefully the DVLA will be as easy.
- Bigpie
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:11 pm
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
- Has thanked: 75 times
- Been thanked: 304 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
That's great. DVLA have had my V5 over a month now. Not heard a sausage.
VW Beetle 2003
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
- SciroccoEV
- Posts: 369
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2019 1:50 pm
- Location: Luton UK
- Been thanked: 15 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
From what I've heard, working conditions at the DVLA were never that great and COVID safety failings didn't help (over 650 positive tests). They've been on strike a couple of times recently and there are long delays for many things, especially actions that require actual human intervention.That's great. DVLA have had my V5 over a month now. Not heard a sausage.
They really don't help matters by continually making mistakes, like sending me a red reminder for not declaring SORN on a vehicle that was off-road before the introduction of SORN and so CANNOT be declared SORN. I was luckily able to resolve that will a phone call that was answered in less than 30 minutes! I now have a much more serious problem to sort out...
- aot93
- Posts: 198
- Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:45 pm
- Location: UK, West Sussex
- Has thanked: 6 times
- Been thanked: 43 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Well I'm feeling very lucky today..
Just checked on the .gov website and the mini is now showing as 0cc and ELECTRICTY as fuel type.
Hopefully get the V5 in the post soon.
Keen to see if it's still classed as historic on the V5.
Just checked on the .gov website and the mini is now showing as 0cc and ELECTRICTY as fuel type.
Hopefully get the V5 in the post soon.
Keen to see if it's still classed as historic on the V5.
- Bigpie
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:11 pm
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
- Has thanked: 75 times
- Been thanked: 304 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
When When you send your v5 in? Checked mine and it still says petrol
VW Beetle 2003
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
- aot93
- Posts: 198
- Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:45 pm
- Location: UK, West Sussex
- Has thanked: 6 times
- Been thanked: 43 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
I sent off beginning of September so they have had it just under a month.
- Bigpie
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:11 pm
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
- Has thanked: 75 times
- Been thanked: 304 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Damn, I sent mine beginning of August and still nothing. What info did you include?
VW Beetle 2003
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
- bobby_come_lately
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Sun May 03, 2020 5:39 am
- Location: Manchester, UK
- Has thanked: 37 times
- Been thanked: 39 times
- Contact:
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Can I ask what you sent in with your v5? Now that I have my MOT, I'm about to start this process.
Thanks.
- Peter
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2018 9:07 pm
- Location: North West Lancs, UK
- Been thanked: 8 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
I am insured with Adrian Flux (Smart 450 with SDU) £560 TPFT. Easy to change spec with just a phone call.
Phoned A Plan, Thatcham, sorry nope.... However my colleague who is insured with them for Roadster ICE was quoted for an SDU conversion ??? !!
Phoned A Plan, Thatcham, sorry nope.... However my colleague who is insured with them for Roadster ICE was quoted for an SDU conversion ??? !!
- Bigpie
- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:11 pm
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
- Has thanked: 75 times
- Been thanked: 304 times
Re: Insuring a conversion in the UK
Any videos of the Smart with SDU? Sounds lively
VW Beetle 2003
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater
Outlander front generator
Prius Gen 3 inverter (EVBMW logic board)
Outlander charger
3x Golf GTE batteries
Chademo Charging
Outlander water heater