I've run a Japanese Import since 1999, firstly a Nissan Largo and now a Toyota Master Ace Surf. When I first got the Nissan three insurance brokers told me that the only insurance company which would insure Japanese Imports was Norwich Union so of course I used them. When I changed to the Toyota I stuck with NU thinking that things were still the same with regards to insurance, even when it came to renewal time my broker never offered any alternatives so blindly I stayed with the company. Two weeks ago I found this site and realised that there were actually other insurers out there that would consider Imports. First I tried L&V who told me that my Toyota didn't match their records therefore they couldn't help me. Then Tesco's quoted me £409.50 for fully comprehensive insurance which may sound a lot but considering that I'm paying £640 with Norwich Union I was impressed to say the least. Then I tried Footman James (I'd never heard of them) who's quote arrived on friday morning offering me the same cover with a lower excess than I currently have with NU for £220........ that's a massive £420 saving. I can't believe it!!!!!! and it's all thanks to the people here. As they say it pays to shop around.
- (#8898) Alan H., 29 Feb 04 08:04
Alan. I have run my Masterace for around three years and, as you found, the brokers gave me the impression that I was lucky to get insurance at all and that Norwich Union was the only one. I paid their high premium for a year and then, through this BOK, found that things were a bit different. I saved £175 by changing to L & V. They were OK with my Masterace Surf a couple of years ago and, as I have seen through other postings, it seems to depend on who you speak to
- (#8898) John Davis, 29 Feb 04 08:11
Yes Alan, Footman James by far the cheapest (for us) with premium and all in package and staff very helpful/efficient in arranging cover.
- (#8898) Marcus Rogers, 1 Mar 04 16:58
Hi Alan. I got a quote of £205 from the Pru...fully comp. And a quote from Saga, (you have to be 50yrs for this one!!) for £210. x
- (#8898) old bird, 3 Mar 04 14:31
have just tried insuring my master ace surf with the pru... and was told they only insure 10 years or less am begining to wonder if i made right decision to buy an import
- (#8898) steve, 19 Mar 04 11:49
sorry confused just tried insuring my master ace surf with tesco and they tell me its a town ace but on the log book it says 2-axle-rigid body mpv is there anybody
that can put me straight please
- (#8898) steve, 19 Mar 04 14:08
The dealer I bought my Hiace 2.8 4WD from told me that Tesco's use to good for Imports but that they seem to have gone off the boil now that they have established myselves in the market. I was already insurance with them for my old car but they had no idea what a Hiace was so I shopped around on the net.
I ended up going to an import specialist call Adrain Flux. They were no trouble and the honoured my 5 years no claims even though I kept my old car policy running.
I'm mid 30's, and did fully comp for 15,000 miles per year and I have business use added. Cost 320 quid. Considering the old Rover 214 was costing 245 quid with Tesco I didn't think that was bad for size and seating capacity of the thing.
- (#8898) jason bamford, 19 Mar 04 14:44
I tried tesco's they couldn't insure my liteace, neither would norwich union. So i used a link on this site and tried footman james, fully comp 65% no claims, 1987 liteace £229 with excess £200. Adrian flux aren't too bad either. Happy Hunting Guys!
- (#8898) Val Andrews, 21 Mar 04 13:05
Tried to switch my insurance from old Townie to new Liteace, and was told "We don't insure Japanese Imports." ?????
Strange, but never mind, thanks again to the BoK I 'phoned Footman James and they have covered it (even knowing difference between Town and Lite Aces) for £195. Star.
- (#8898) Tom Lister, 24 Mar 04 11:48
I have found tesco to be most efficient with my Hiace, they said yes straight away although apparently they class it as equivalent to a surf 3.0, I thought the money was a pretty good but seeing this here I shall ring round in September.
- (#8898) Master_Simon, 25 Mar 04 00:51
I am just going through this process. Today I have been quoted £307 fully comp for 10,000 miles SDP by Tesco against £611 I am currently paying Norwich Union.
My opinion of NU has plumeted. The girl at Tesco wasn't an expert but she was very helpfull.
If you think it's bad getting people to admit a townace or masterace exists you should see the reaction when you tell them it that after doing 75,000 miles in it you are quite sure it is petrol engined not a diesel!!!
- (#8898) frank tierney, 26 Mar 04 13:29
I agree about Tesco the staff are the friendliest call centre staff I have ever dealt with, as an update, they have actually added the Hiace PC to their database now so it actually says that on the documentation.
Norwich Union are robbers, they always were, since I started in the driving game xx years ago, they were the only ones who would do the insurance for our bikes, ( quite a while ago which is why i censored it!).
Then a while ago I bought myself a Sherpa Crewbus, (oi! no sniggering at the back) it was to be a business vehicle and my family car, well I got stung by a dodgy broker, now gone thankfully, and they charged the earth for this, I was paying 600 quid a year 10 years ago, and because of this broker I was not actually insured anyway........
With regards the comments by Frank, please remember these folks are employees not enthusiasts, they have a database with information that they call on, I am sure most of them would not recognise most of our vehicles by sight, if our vehicles are not their database they won't know, but fair play to Tesco they accept there are more types of vehicle than those on their database.
- (#8898) Master_Simon, 27 Mar 04 01:37