What Makes Classic Car Insurance Special
Anyone who owns a vintage vehicle or a collection of enduringly stylish classic cars knows that a standard automobile insurance policy can?t adequately cover the specific needs of someone who drives a classic vehicle. A classic car owner is more likely than a standard driver to make a claim for repainting after a tiny scratch, for example; whereas a typical driver will be much more likely to get into a highway pile-up than a classic car owner. The habits and requirements of the drivers who spends time behind the wheel of a classic 1950s Ford are obviously quite different from those of a driver who gets around in a used 1997 Taurus; so it makes plenty of sense that insurance companies would create policies specifically for drivers who own vintage cars.
One of the most useful facets of many classic car insurance policies has to do with the idea of flexible usage. This unique idea allows drivers to attain full coverage at a variable rate depending on how often they drive their car and in what situations. Most drivers with antique automobiles drive their vehicles over less than one thousand miles each year, but some collectors drive up to five thousand miles a year in their prized cars. Some drivers are extremely careful about distance because of its potential wear and tear on the vehicle, but just as many classic car enthusiasts are more concerned about what kind of situation they are driving in than how far they are driving.
Many vintage car owners only take their precious vehicles out for special events like auto shows or parades, but there are some drivers who enjoy taking the occasional drive outside of the umbrella that these events provide. With an insurance policy that supports flexible usage, a driver can pay only for the coverage that he or she needs to cover his or her classic car driving habits. This means that a driver who enjoys a leisurely weekend afternoon of driving through town in his or her car will be able to do so without risking the investment that the car represents, but also that a driver who only starts the engine during a special event will not have to pay extra money for open road privileges that he or she won?t use.
In addition to what is and is not covered, there are many conveniences that a classic car owner can enjoy by having classic car insurance instead of a standard auto policy. For one thing, having the agent who is responsible for the policy be knowledgeable about and sensitive to the needs of classic car owners can save quite a bit of hassle and phone time. Vintage car collectors are understandably very selective about where they get their cars repaired, and often will be unwilling to let anyone but their personally trusted mechanic look at their car. The reasons for this fact will be obvious to an agent who understands the needs and desires of people who own classic cars, but for an agent who is not experienced with these kinds of customers it can be a difficult fact to swallow.
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for QuickOnlineInsurance.com. To learn more about <a href="http://www.quickonlineinsurance.com/classic/">classic car insurance</a> and <a href="http://www.quickonlineinsurance.com/classic/antiquecarinsuranceus/">antique car insurance</a>, visit us.
<b>Road Safety Guides - What to do if you break down</b>
If your vehicle breaks down, think about safety, first: Here s a straightforward safety guide from GEM Motoring Assist, the leading UK driver based road safety association.
Consider your own safety
- get your vehicle off the road if possible
- ensure your passengers are safe and that animals are kept under control.
Warn other road users
- warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction
- put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing them, but never use them on motorways as this may put you in danger from oncoming traffic
- keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
- do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic
- at night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights
- wear a reflective/fluorescent jacket or tabard.
Calling for help
- do not use mobile phones if there is a danger from petrol spillage or fumes
- contact the emergency services by dialing 999 or 112 (new international emergency code), or if you are a member call GEM Motoring Assist Breakdown Cover or other breakdown organisation
- give clear instructions of your general location: road number, direction of travel and specific local landmarks will aid your rescue
- also tell them your vehicle type and colour, registration number and how many persons are in the vehicle
- an indication of the cause of the breakdown will also help
- when help arrives, ask for proof of identity.
On Motorways ” safety first
Leave the motorway at the nearest exit or pull into a service area. When this is not possible:
- use your indicators or hazard warning lights and pull on to the hard shoulder. Stop as far to the left as possible, with your wheels turned to the left
- try to stop near an emergency telephone (every mile on the hard shoulder) with the front passenger door as close to the phone as possible
- you must leave the vehicle by the left-hand passenger doors
- wear a reflective/fluorescent jacket or tabard
- do not cross the carriageway to reach a closer phone it is safer to wait on the verge. (Remember, 10% of motorway accidents are collisions with vehicles parked on the hard shoulder.)
- do not leave the keys in the car. If possible, lock all the doors except the front passenger door, which you should leave fully open so you can get back in quickly if needs be
- keep passengers away from the carriageway and children under control. Make sure children are safe ” do not leave them in the car by themselves
- if you are an elderly or disabled person, or have small children with you, you may decide it is more sensible to stay in the vehicle. If so, park it as close to the verge as possible
- you must leave animals in the vehicle, with windows only far enough down to let in air. Only let them out of the vehicle in an emergency, but keep them under proper control on the verge
- do not attempt even simple repairs and do not leave the car bonnet open.
On Motorways ” getting help
- walk to the nearest emergency telephone, following the arrows on the marker posts every 100 metres at the back of the hard shoulder. Calls are free and connect directly to the Police - they will know where you are. Stand behind the phone and watch out for passing traffic, or anyone approaching you
- give full details, also inform them if you feel vulnerable. Tell them the number of your breakdown organisation, your car registration and the number shown on the nearest marker post
- return and wait near your vehicle, preferably behind the barrier on the motorway embankment
- when help arrives, ask for ID and check that the breakdown person knows your name
- NEVER get into a car with a stranger or try to hitch a lift
- if someone offers help, stay inside your car with the doors locked (keep windows partially open) and ask them to phone your breakdown organisation for you
- if a car stops while you are waiting for help and you feel uneasy, stay in the passenger seat of your car and lock the door. Phone the Police and give them the car s registration number
- when rejoining the motorway, always increase speed on the hard shoulder and watch for a safe gap in the traffic.
Established in 1932, GEM Motoring Assist is the leading UK driver based road safety association. <a href="http://www.motoringassist.com">GEM Motoring Assist</a> provide a wide range of driver services including low cost <a href="http://www.motoringassist.com">car breakdown insurance.</a>
ATV fuel Tank safety use
Author Ryan Baliza explains: Aggressive modifications for ATV take a toll on fuel consumption. Today, larger gas tanks have become extremely common modification especially on racing and performance ATVs.
Tow to the nearest garage If the recovery service can’t repair your car at the roadside within a reasonable time (some providers have limits, i.e. 1 hour), they will take you and your car to the nearest garage or often to an alternative local destination (provided it is no further).
The above two options are usually offered as a very basic package. It is possible to find a cover like this for as little as L25-L30 per annum.
Breakdown assistance at home The recovery service will help you when you have broken down at home. If a prompt repair cannot be arranged, you and your car will be taken to a garage.
Tow to any destination in the UK If the recovery service can’t repair your car at the roadside within a reasonable time, they will transport you, any passengers and your car to any mainland UK destination of your choice.
Onward travel The type of service depends on the provider, but generally the recovery service offers a replacement car for a few days whilst your vehicle is being repaired. They may provide overnight accommodation or onward travel by train, plane, taxi etc..
European Cover If you are unlucky enough to break down abroad, the breakdown service will arrange for your car to be fixed at the roadside or towed to the nearest garage and for vehicle recovery to the UK. Additionally, your cover may include emergency car hire and accommodation.
European cover is absolutely necessary when travelling abroad. Unexpected breakdown event damages your holiday plans, causes delays and can be very expensive ” cost of car repatriation from the French Alps to the UK could cost up to L2,000. European cover can be purchased separately and for the period of your trip only.
The best breakdown policies include obviously all options. It is worthwhile to shop around as you may get good cover for a reasonable price. You can visit for example www.SimpleBreakdownCover.co.uk to get a quick quote. This is a price-check website and they compare both UK and European breakdown covers.
<a href="http://www.simplebreakdowncover.co.uk/index.php?ref_id=ARTFGBRCV1">www.SimpleBreakdownCover.co.uk</a> provides advanced search engine and you can now compare majority of UK and European policies offered by UK breakdown recovery providers in less than 10 minutes. <br><br> Copyright of this article remains the property of the author until legally transferred. You may reprint the full article exactly as it is shown and you must include the about the Author segment and all links as they appear in the article. You must contact the author to ask for permission to edit the article. The author has no liabilities on any harm this article may cause you.
car loans - Seattles foremost bad credit car loan financer; but not limited to the seattle area but the entire nation
Related Articles
No user responded in this post