MX-5 OC Forum

Time for the insurance renwal again - no big worries I thought as I clutched my Owner's Club Card and headed over to FJ's site.  After filling in all the necessary boxes and ticking those that needed ticking I almost fell off the chair  - actually, I lie, I did actually fall off the chair - when the amount payable figure popped up.  Clean licence since passing the test, not had the pleasure of meeting Mr Plod by the road-side, risk free job, home owner, low miles per year, not used for Business, unmodded (unless you count highly polished as a mod) and of a certain age where you would expect premiums to come down I thought they would be a lot less than THAT figure which was just over half a grand!  No way would I be able to get that one past the wife.

Thankfully there is a marvellous little thing called "the internet" and you can even get it to find you a quote in seconds.  After filling in all the necessary boxes and ticking those that needed ticking again I held my breath and hit the "get quotes" button and immediately fell off the chair again.  The best quote was a whole 120% less than FJ. Ah, I thought - is it like-for-like?  Actually it was.  So it was quite an easy task to decide where my hard earned cash went to.

There should be a further line on the Insurance page that links to the FJ web-site - something on the lines of "Other Insurance is available".  As it stands it looks like you are going to get a cracking deal with FJ.  Insurance (for whatever purpose) is complex and depends on a case-by-case basis and each person's individual circumstances.  Is there any point in having a "recommended insurer" when it is just as easy to enter a few figures on a page and see who comes up best?

I must admit at this point that signing on the dotted line at Billing some forward planning re insurance was in my mind.  This is not going to happen now.  So, what do I actually get for my membership?  6 magazines a year and errrr emmm hummm.  There is stuff I could down-load on how to change a cam-belt on a Mk1 or even a Mk2 but my difficulty is I have a Mk3 and technical stuff on these are far and few between. 

Can't see any point in renewing at renew time - that's even more money saved!  Getting good at this saving lark...

'I must admit at this point that signing on the dotted line at Billing some forward planning re insurance was in my mind.  This is not going to happen now.  So, what do I actually get for my membership?  6 magazines a year and errrr emmm hummm.  There is stuff I could down-load on how to change a cam-belt on a Mk1 or even a Mk2 but my difficulty is I have a Mk3 and technical stuff on these are far and few between. 

Can't see any point in renewing at renew time - that's even more money saved!  Getting good at this saving lark...'

You're not the only one thinking this after some of the views being posted on the other mx-5 forums......

I've never used the FJ online facilty.  I would  ring up and try again personally.

One answer to the "what do I get for my membership" question, is that events such as this only happen because the Club exists, we pay our membership dues, to support the ACs in their efforts to provide members with activities.  Please don't dismiss the Club on the basis just of the insurance..

martin:

I've never used the FJ online facilty.  I would  ring up and try again personally.

But, ringing them (and telling them the details all over again (and pay for the call!)) defeats the whole point of having an on-line facility.

martin:

One answer to the "what do I get for my membership" question, is that events such as this only happen because the Club exists, we pay our membership dues, to support the ACs in their efforts to provide members with activities.  Please don't dismiss the Club on the basis just of the insurance.

Indeed, I was there and it was a good laugh too.  This is not apparent from the Home page

Taken from the Home page:

Membership benefits include discounts on servicing, parts and accessories across the country. As a member, you can also take advantage of the Club's recommended car insurance scheme which offers discount prices on policies with a major underwriter

The insurance deal is pushed as being a "good thing" and is one of the top benefits you can get from membership.  I am not likely to go to a Main Dealer for servicing - have you seen their prices (!) parts and accessories - can be obtained from nearly everywhere often at better prices even with the discount.

 Give REIS on 0115 985 0165 they will not load you for stupid add on's and you will get a discount for being a club member.

M-m

I've not got a copy of STHT in front of me, but does it not just give a dedicated FJ phone number for Club member enquiries in the advert, does it mention the online facilty as well for members use ?  I'm curious now, can someone check ?

 FJ are ok for a classic low mile policy, but for a full jobbies Reis are the poeple to try. insurance is a biggie with me, we have been here before on here on this subject many times, on what the club as to offer on this score

M-m

martin:

I've not got a copy of STHT in front of me, but does it not just give a dedicated FJ phone number for Club member enquiries in the advert, does it mention the online facilty as well for members use ?  I'm curious now, can someone check ?

 

The only number is 0843 357 1026 on that page,and a load of % discount stuff, Mmmmm, is in yeah right.

m-m

martin:

I've not got a copy of STHT in front of me, but does it not just give a dedicated FJ phone number for Club member enquiries in the advert, does it mention the online facilty as well for members use ?  I'm curious now, can someone check ? 

No copy of STHT here either.  I followed the link to their web-site on the Link Page, clicked on Modern Car and the "get quote" button.  As an aside it goes on to say you can get up to 5% discount if you are in one of their recommended car clubs...

Mazda-mender:

martin:

I've not got a copy of STHT in front of me, but does it not just give a dedicated FJ phone number for Club member enquiries in the advert, does it mention the online facilty as well for members use ?  I'm curious now, can someone check ?

 

The only number is 0843 357 1026 on that page,and a load of % discount stuff, Mmmmm

m-m

cheers mm, does that not maybe suggest that members need to phone rather than use the web...  I've no idea but perhaps it should be clear one way or another..  would be interesting to know now what facility there is when using the online thing for inputting your Club details...

Mazda-mender:

 FJ are ok for a classic low mile policy, but for a full jobbies Reis are the poeple to try. insurance is a biggie with me, we have been here before on here on this subject many times, on what the club as to offer on this score

M-m

"Many times" - really.

If so perhaps the time (see what I did there!) has come for the Club NOT to recommend an insurer.  We are all adult and grown up enough to find our own insurance and decide what is the best - be it a limited mileage or every day drive or a multi-car deal.  The tools are there on-line and a good few minutes or so can save (in my case) hundreds.

martin:

would be interesting to know now what facility there is when using the online thing for inputting your Club details...

from memory - bear in mind it was 3 days ago so may be a bit hazy! - there is a box/question asking if you are a member of a car club - YES or No

Clicking YES then brings up another box - this had MX5 Owners Club - then you entered your membership number

CambsMaz:

Mazda-mender:

 FJ are ok for a classic low mile policy, but for a full jobbies Reis are the poeple to try. insurance is a biggie with me, we have been here before on here on this subject many times, on what the club as to offer on this score

M-m

 

 

"Many times" - really.

If so perhaps the time (see what I did there!) has come for the Club NOT to recommend an insurer.  We are all adult and grown up enough to find our own insurance and decide what is the best - be it a limited mileage or every day drive or a multi-car deal.  The tools are there on-line and a good few minutes or so can save (in my case) hundreds.

P.M sent

M-m

The insurance industry is extremely variable and has been the subject of much discussion with regard to club schemes on these forums. Personally neither FJ or REIS have been able to provide best quote for my particular set of circumstances (which requires insurance for business use, that seems to be a no no for some policies).

One question is, will you get a discount from FJ or REIS by being a member of the club compared to someone who is not in the exact same set of circumstances? I would expect the answer to be yes.

Regarding the reasons for being a member of the club, each to their own however in the last few weeks we have carried out an online survey (using Survey Monkey) of the club members in the Grampian area (of which I'm joint AC). One of the questions asked was; 

5. If you haven't attended an event and don't intend to in future what is your motivation for being a member of the MX-5 Owners Club?

Two of the options being 'access to discount insurance' and 'other discounts'. Not one respondant chose that as a motivation for being or remaining a member which I found interesting.

Fact is though FJ do offer a definite discount for being a Club member, over a quote they would give a non member, and many members do get what they feel are good deals out of them. Add in the value of the other things they put on the policy as standard such as European cover and breakdown.  I have used my 5 abroad but never had to pay extra for either of those with FJ, which with many polices you would.  Also in the past, FJ have always had a very enlightened attitude with respect to the insurance of Jap imports and modifications. Try insuring a Roadster with a shed load of mods using an online service.  I agree it always pays to shop around, I always do, and as such only 2 (the 5 and the roadster) of our 4 cars are insured with FJ, as they are not competitive on the others.

I would agree however perhaps its wrong to offer them as a "recommended" insurer.  FJ do however do big business and offer schemes through loads of car Clubs, its not for nothing that they are the principal sponsor of the NEC Classic.