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I can't insure my 1999 Honda Civic. Help!

Hi,

I am a 34-year-old with a 1999 Honda Civic four-door. NCT passed every year and I have been declined insurance this year. I have a full clean driver licenve for over seven years and no penalty points, no convictions. FBD, Aviva, Axa and AA quoted €1,300; Liberty €1,020; and RSA Via Campion €791.88. I cannot get a personal loan or finance as I am either not earning enough or I can not afford the repayments. What's a girl to do?

Martha Clancy (Longford )

Jan 2016 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Martha,

It's a sad, but increasingly common story - Irish insurers are currently crushing owners of cars that are 10 years or older simply because, actuarially, they're more likely to be involved in an accident. I'm afraid that, unless more operators come into the Irish market to offer some competition, or unless the Government intervenes (which seems hugely unlikely) then there's very little that can be done. 

 


Who will insure my 2003 Honda S2000?

What insurance companies will cover my 2003 Honda S2000? Currently with Aviva and it's up for renewal next month.

Thanks,

Barry

Barry Jones (Dublin)

Jan 2016 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Barry,

We contacted a few Irish insurers and, while the premiums will still probably be high, both Axa and Zurich expressed an interest in your custom. We've put them in touch with you directly.


What insurance options for an older car?

My car is year 2000 and I can't get insurance due to being out of the country for only a year! Anywhooooo, what are my best options now? Have cancelled NCT and not buying tax!

Ash Aisling (Dublin)

Nov 2015 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Ash,

Well, obviously you could sell it and try and buy something younger, but don't lose hope - you can still get insurance for older cars. Try and find a good broker who can run through the options for you.


How best to import my car from the UK?

Hi, I'm an EU citizen, I lived 10 years in London, UK. I have my own car on GB plates, a 15 year-old Ford Mondeo 2.5 V6 automatic. I have a long MOT on this car. I have owned this car about four months, I have previous insurance, history, etc. What is the best way to register the car in Ireland? Will the MOT be accepted if I have 11 months left?

Thanks,

Laszlo

Laszlo Szabo (Clonbur)

Nov 2015 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Laszlo,

I'm afraid not. When you import the car into Ireland it will have to pass through an NCT (National Car Test - our equivalent of the MOT) before it can be legally registered here. That shouldn't be a problem though - any car that can pass an MOT should also pass an NCT. The problem is that because you have owned the car for less than six months, you'll get caught for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) when you bring it in to the country - and on a 2.5-litre V6 engine that's going to be 36 per cent of what the Revenue Commissioners judge the vehicle's market value to be. This could get very expensive and you might be better off selling the car before you move and buying something new here.


I want a fast car for under €20,000!

Could you suggest the best car for under €20,000 that is less than 10 years old AND can do 0-100km/h in less than six seconds?

John Walsh (Dublin)

Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi John,

The critical question here is how much road tax and insurance pain are you willing to take? An early 2000s Porsche 911 will crack 5.3 seconds 0-100km/h all day long but you'll pay through the nose for tax, disc and servicing. And never, ever buy one without a full Porsche or Porsche Specialist service history.

Most Mercedes-AMG models from the same era will do similar but again the same caveats on servicing and running costs apply.

A BMW M3 Evolution will do 5.5 seconds, but watch for ones that have been badly fiddled with or modified.

Probably better would be a Ford Focus RS or a Volkswagen Golf R or R32. Both are pretty rugged in the reliability stakes but again you have to be wary of cars that have been modified or altered from standard. 

However, possibly the best bet is a Honda S2000. As long as you don't need back seats it's a fantastic thing to drive, will do 6.0 seconds 0-100km/h and it's rock solid in reliability terms. Loads around well within your price band but again watch carefully for badly done modifications or cars that haven't been cared for.


Can you help me find insurance for my older car?

Hi there, it's John Hewitt again!

I'm desperate to get some reasonably priced insurance for my car. The situation is that I own a Renault 19 TR in excellent condition but because it's 24 years old (March 1990) and I use it as my main vehicle it can't come under classic car insurance and no other insurance company will insure it! I'm currently insured with Aviva and have been since 2003, 65 years of age, never made a claim, do less than 3,000 miles a year and have a clean driver's licence yet they still 'hammer' me every year. What price loyalty eh?

In normal circumstances I'd go elsewhere but they know I can't because no one else will insure me just because I use my vehicle on a regular basis. Can you please help me at all?

John Hewitt (Nenagh)

Jul 2015 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi John,

Sorry to hear you're still having trouble, but if it helps, you're not alone. Aviva (along with Allianz) have announced that they're no longer going to provide cover for new customers with cars older than 14 years. Now, in a statement last week, the company did say that it would continue to cover existing customers with such cars, and would provide cover for existing customers purchasing such cars, but from what you're saying there it seems that Aviva simply doesn't want your business anymore and is therefore giving you quotes deigned to push you into either replacing your car with something younger or moving to another insurer. 

Thankfully there are plenty of such insurers out there, so I'd say give customer loyalty a good kick up the backside (it's a worthless thing these days anyway) and get yourself a better quote from elsewhere. There are insurers out there who will cover you. I've just put a few random details into the One Direct system for instance and got a quote of €840. Too expensive? You'll just have to shop around but the best bet for you could actually be to find a good local insurance broker - they can get access to deals and policies denied to us mere mortals. Beware though, the unfortunate and inevitable downside of Avivia and Allianz's decision is that other insurers are going to start putting extra risk loadings on older cars, so your premium is probably going to be pretty expensive wherever you go.

A representative of AXA insurance asked to be put in touch with you, so hopefully that goes well.

Read the news story about insurance on older cars here


What's the Volkswagen 1.6 Golf Edition R like?

What do you think of the Volkswagen 1.6 Golf Edition R?

Philip Glynn (Ballina)

Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

It's basically the same as any other Golf (well built and slick to drive, but make sure the diesel engine has had all its services done)  with a chunkier, sportier body kit. For those looking for GTI styling without the insurance and running costs, it's a good choice. 


What first car would you recommend with €10,000?

What would you recommend for a first car for a 25-year old with about €10k to spend. I like the Volkswagen Golf.

John Millane (Ennis)

Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi John,

A Golf is always a good choice but the fact that it comes with, at smallest, a 1.4-litre engine could be an issue when it comes to insurance. You could, for your budget, get the current-shape Polo, from around 2010, with a 1.2-litre engine. That should take the sting out of the insurance. Or what about something really stylish? Say, a Fiat 500 1.2? Plenty of those around and they’re quite enjoyable to drive too. 

Of course, if you can stretch to the insurance, then there are plenty of 80hp 1.4 Golfs around. 2009 is probably your ballpark for that budget, but just remember that in that form, the Golf is seriously underpowered, so don’t expect performance fireworks.


What is the market value for a 2006 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel?

What is the market value for a 2006 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel (for insurance purposes)?

Anna Murphy (Dublin)

May 2015 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Anna,

Ballpark figure is €5,800 but it's hugely dependent on condition, history and mileage.


Have you tested the new Ford Mustang 2.3?

Will you be testing the Ford Mustang Ecoboost 2.3-litre automatic? If so, when? I am interested in the handling, performance of the engine, road tax, fuel economy and insurance costs.

Sean Cotter (Newtownmountkennedy)

Mar 2015 Filed under: future cars

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

We are driving the new European-spec Ford Mustang next month so keep an eye on our reviews page for the full lowdown. 


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