HELP! Help!
I would appreciate any information, that anyone may have on Insurance companies who are willing to insure Lite Ace / Town Ace MPV's. I've tried several brokers and the answer is always the same. "We don't touch Japanese imports". An additional problem is that not all Companies cover Northern Ireland.I don't even mind paying over the odds!
Will I be reduced to driving my Lite Ace up and down the driveway forever? - (#121) Stephen Judge, 11 May 01

Stephen, I'm in Northern Ireland, and have had success with Privilege Direct. Hughes did cover them until last year. Cathcarts in Cookstown can cover, I think.
If yours was purchased from a dealer like L&R or Grahams, ask them too.
HTH - (#122) David Miller, 11 May 01

David,
Many thanks for your response. I've phoned around a bit for quotes and several brokers have said that they will only quote if there is an equivalent UK model i.e. UK Previa equivalent of import Lucidia. I assume its to do with their method of evaluating the relative cost of repairs. Do we respond with UK equivalent of Lite Ace as a Spacecruiser? Or are some insurance companies prepared to insure the vehicle as a Lite Ace. I mention this because I've also phoned a dealer of imports who said " Don't mention its a Lite Ace, if they ask, say its a spacecruiser.I'm somewhat nervous that I may not get the Legal cover I want.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this.
P.S. At this rate you'll end up on my Christmas Card List. - (#123) Stephen Judge, 11 May 01

Hmm, a bit risky. Insurance companies don't like lies... Anyway it all goes pear shapes when they ask for the model- Spacecruiser diesel, sir? that's not on our lists...
Some companies will try to force you into minibus insurance because of the 8 seats. Don't let them...
I found Privilege to be the best for me- 29yo, fully comp for around £500. They require an immobiliser, but if you don't have or want one, they will cancel Theft cover, leaving the rest of the Comp. intact. - (#124) David Miller, 12 May 01

Spent nearly 3 hours on the phone today. Some Companies recommended to cover Lite Aces / Town Aces don't. Admiral - No, AA - No, Norwich Union - No. Quinn Direct and AXA Direct - No if you've had an accident in the last 2 years even if it's not your fault. 1st Rate Direct - No. Norwich Union - No. Master Quote to advise. ATS - Yes - fully comp with grade 2 alarm 616 Quid. Endsleigh brokers to advise. These vehicles are not cheap to insure. Some of the Companies don't have Lite Aces on their register, others realise they are the equivalent of the Town Ace and those are the ones that are prepared to quote. Be advised all who read.
Many thanks again to you david. - (#125) Stephen Judge, 12 May 01

Try Footman James on 0121-561-4196 they insured my Master ace for £360 a year fully comp. I'm 37 years old, and live in Dorset, they know all about Import cars. give them a go.. - (#127) Bob Amabile, 13 May 01

I have a Townace master surf and have insured it with NIG for £281 fully comp, protected no claims per year.
Must have an imobiliser fitted, am 43 no accidents.
I got this deal thru the "Caravan Insurance agency" who are brokers for campers etc. - (#129) Steve Lewis, 13 May 01

Many insurance companies currently don't cover NI. Ended up with "Service policies at Lloyds" through at local agent, Endsleigh, at 550 pounds provided proof of a Cat 2 alarm is fitted. Their original quote was 616. After the "your too dear, others can do it cheaper" response by me, it was " Well we should be able to improve on that" and the final value was offered. That just says, to us all, never accept their first offer! - (#145) stephen judge, 17 May 01

I'm 29M and park my townace on the drive, it doesn't have an alrm but is fitted with an immobiliser.
I bank with Royal Bank of Scotland and just had my 94 2.0DT insured for £473 fully comp through them. It also came with 12Months full home and roadside breakdown cover and is No Claims Discount protected. My excess is £200 and my window excess is £50 which covers any amount of windows that are broken. It also has all the other standard stuff such as £1000 audio cover and £500 personal belongings cover.

It wasn't my first choice and only phoned them on the off chance as many of the major firms wouldn't touch grey imports. - (#155) Russ, 19 May 01

Tesco was the only company which would insure us. I am 36, male with no claims, my wife is 31 with same. It cost us £450 fully comp. tho' we had to fit an immobiliser. It is always parked on the road. - (#211) Ian Gamlin, 25 May 01

Can you give contact details of NIG or "Caravan insurance Agency"
Cheers. - (#221) Bob Appleyard, 27 May 01

I've been with Admiral for two out of three years of ownership of my Town Ace. No problems so far even with one accident. Renewal is coming up in July, though. Last years premium was &400 with 5 year protected. - (#241) Steve Menham, 30 May 01

Hi ,I've got a 1988/89 townace,I am 36, the bus is parked on the road & I only pay £235 fully comp,
with....Liverpool Victoria. - (#248) Paul Morgan, 1 Jun 01

I find this very annoying because having my house insurance with them it was one of the first people I rang, the feed back was we have only just started insuring imports again and quoted me £554.24 against Tesco which came out best quoting £472.50. But on receiving the policy the £100 excess had jumped to £350 and they had neglected to tell me that unless an approved immobiliser is fitted nothing is covered for theft. The cost had also gone up by another sixteen pounds, be very careful when getting a quote from them. Promptly cancelling this policy, I moved to Footman James (Tel 0121 561 6250 or web www.footmanjames.co.uk) cost £474.60 excess £100 no alarm required + breakdown cover.
This covers me and my wife in the Manchester area M24, fully comprehensive both aged just under forty with full no claims, protected NCB and legal Protection + for use in connection with work by my wife. This does not seem to bad against the highest quote of £895.00 - (#287) John Hardman, 7 Jun 01

Insurance seems to be a big problem with these vehicles. My Masterace Surf is a second vehicle and I have used the AA for some time now so it seemed natural to try them first. I contacted them on their free phone number and was told they do not touch grey imports so I went elsewhere. I can’t remember who it was but they would not give me any no-claims discount because it was a second car and they quoted something like £600. During the conversation they wanted to know how much was the claim for that I had had two years previously when somebody rear-ended me. I did not know so I told them I would get back to them after I had consulted with the AA. When I asked the AA for this information they wanted to know why I needed it so I explained to them. To my astonishment they said they do insure grey imports but they would have to get back to me because it was not a normal quote and the insurance company would have to identify the vehicle. A couple of days later they came back with a quote from the Norwich Union for £431.85 and they had given me 65% discount because I already had my other car insured with them, the Norwich Union that is. This is not normal for a second car you normally have to start again with no no-claims bonus. The excess was £100 for 25y and over. So if you do try the AA try this number, 0870 606 1613 and not their free phone number. It appears you have to talk to somebody who knows what’s what. By the way I did have to have an approved immobiliser fitted which cost £140. - (#289) Patrick Adams, 14 Jun 01

I have had a number of classic cars insured with Footman James brokers in Coventry.
(0121 561 4196) I have just changed a Citroen 2cv (!)for a Townace 1988.
Fully Comp premium was £280 which includes legal and roadside recovery service. The broker classes the Townace as a Vauxhall Cavalier SRi for their purposes but the certificate names the Townie. They are a good company and tend not to keep bumping the premium up when you're not looking!
Mark - (#301) Mark Adams, 16 Jun 01

I have just bought townace royal lounge 2.0lt td auto
Insured with norwich union 6/7 seats.
50 year old and wife £300 per year.
Done through local broker.
Imobiliser fitted and parked on my hard standing.
By the way this is a great site found by chance.
Phil Cook - (#1539) Phil Cook, 2 Dec 01

i have 2ltr spacecruiser 8 seats g reg
myself 34 and wife to drive fully com and claim protected £300
tsb insurance - (#1540) GRANTY, 3 Dec 01

Phil,
It's nice to see another "youngster" buying one of these splendid vehicles. I am in my sixties and do all my own maintenance but, without the help and expertise of the contributors to this excellent board of knowledge, most of the jobs I have done on the vehicle would have been nearly impossible.
Welcome to this great site. - (#1544) John Davis, 3 Dec 01

Thanks Granty
I have insurance with the tsb but did not think they would insure imports.
Will ask at my branch.
Phil - (#1549) Phil Cook, 3 Dec 01