Lancaster Insurance Services Ltd
Serving the classic car industry with aplomb
Put simply, when it comes to classic insurers Lancaster Insurance is a big player… if you count classic car policies, potentially the biggest. However, visiting the team reveals a friendly bunch, dedicated to serving the classic car industry, a fact that is born out by its continued sponsorship of multiple events and projects, from the very biggest, to the most local.
Andrew Evanson is the boss, and he is as enthusiastic as his team: ‘We live and breathe classics and our commitment is real. That’s why we’re headline sponsor of the UK’S largest classic event, the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery at the NEC, as well as a host of smaller and regional shows.’
Lancaster has come a long way from the day that MG Insurance Services Ltd was formed as the insurance division for the MG Owners’ Club in 1984. As the popularity and demand for classic car insurance grew, it was decided in 1989 to arrange insurance for a wider variety of classic cars - Lancaster was born.
As the business expanded, so did the base of operations. The purpose-built office in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, is where the company still lives and thrives. Lancaster leads the way with its digital services… ‘As far back as 2000 it was apparent that one of the biggest growth areas for insurance would be business conducted via the internet,’ says Andrew, ‘So Lancaster Insurance launched an online quotation system that allowed classic car owners to generate a quote and insure their vehicles.’ They are still pushing back the boundaries: ‘We are always working on ways to save our customers time and money so new online portals are being developed to help them do just that.’
In 2013 Lancaster Insurance was acquired by Markerstudy but it still has focus and clarity when it comes to classic cars. Clubs Manager Dave Youngs underlines the fact: ‘You just can’t do this job effectively unless you get involved in the community. As an enthusiast that is unavoidable, and that’s why I spend 30 weekends a year at classic car events.’ Work or play? ‘A bit of both really!’
So, about the Classic Motor Show. Plans? Andrew has the final word: ‘I can’t see us ever letting it go. It’s the biggest and the best. I like to think that we are, too.’