Caring for The Classics…
Owning a classic car demands a completely different level of responsibility to one’s everyday transport, particularly where the car concerned is thirty or more years old. The older the car the greater are the potential problems of parts availability and specialist repairers.. These peculiar circumstances also necessitate a specialist insurance policy. This is the story of one such broker whose business started from a lifelong interest in collectable cars.
Both founders of Peter Best Insurance Services (PBIS), Peter and Marian Best grew up in a time when one’s first car was pre-war – in Peter’s case a 1937 Morris 8 and Marian’s a 1932 MGJ2 – which she still has.
During his motor industry years with Ford and Volvo, Peter became involved in insurance matters, for example setting up the Volvo Owners Insurance Scheme, a scheme for Volvo dealers which is still going strong and it was this experience which prompted Peter and Marian to turn their hobby into a business.
During the mid-eighties, Classic Car insurance was in its infancy and was limited in what it offered. With his connections, Peter developed a specific 5000 mile per year scheme for MG Car Club members. With vital administration support from Marian, this first scheme was launched at Silverstone in May 1985. Aptly named ©The Abingdon Policy (after the spiritual home of MG), it continues to be the flagship product. Today, ©The Abingdon Policy includes limited or unlimited mileage options, agreed value (at no charge), European wide cover (without time restriction or charge), Europe Wide roadside assistance and recovery (no charge), no windscreen excess, free window etching with 24/7 accident and breakdown cover and recently introduced, cover available in Northern Ireland. From this one specialist scheme has evolved a range of over thirty different policies, many for different specific clubs such as the Mercedes Benz Club, BMW Car Club, Morgan Sports Car Club and two new schemes for classic American Cars.
Another innovation of importance to car enthusiasts is the unique household policy underwritten by Ecclesiastical Insurance, which includes up to £5000 in value free of charge for car parts and accessories stored in the house, garage or in other secure home storage. Most home policies exclude vehicle parts kept within the home but many owners will have some carefully stored away.
Today, PBIS makes a point of telephoning new Classic Car clients, not only to check their satisfaction with the service they have received but also to advise that with their own schemes they are very competitive on motor and household and at the same time, can offer a professional service to all businesses from the ‘one man band’ up to mid sized companies.
With 35 staff and 23 years experience in Classic Car insurance, PBIS prides itself on traditional principles – you will never get an answer phone when you call; sometimes you may get an engaged tone but you will always speak to a real, live person who will happily help you with any queries you may have.
For more information, please call Peter Best Insurance Services Ltd on 01621 840400 or 01376 573033 Or for an online quote, log into www.ClassicInsurance.co.uk.
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