I get BIG savings on my tiny cars – so join the club

CAR enthusiasts can often pick up a better insurance deal if they are members of a specialist club.

Drivers of classic cars are among the safest and most drive them less than 4,000 miles a year – a fact recognised by insurers.

Not only can you typically shave at least 15 per cent off insurance premiums but save on other costs too. Cars built before 1973 are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty while those built before 1960 also avoid the cost of a yearly MOT. Andy Carter, 59, of Nottingham, has a stable of cherished classic cars that include a Peel P50 three-wheeler made on the Isle of Man in the 1960s and reckoned to be the world’s smallest production car. It was driven by Jeremy Clarkson on TV’s Top Gear and is worth £60,000. Andy also owns an £80,000 Peel Trident. ‘These classics are lots of fun and being a member of an enthusiasts’ club can save you money not just by driving down insurance costs but also from the help from others it brings,’ he says.

He pays about £120 a year for comprehensive cover with Lancaster Insurance for a single Peel car – but says it would be closer to £80 for less valuable vehicles.

Andy rings several insurers when it’s time for renewal, believing they are not good at rewarding loyalty. Other specialist classic car insurers include Carol Nash, Adrian Flux and Peter James Insurance.

Andy runs the Peel Micro Cars Register and is a member of the Messerschmitt Enthusiasts’ Club as he also owns a £50,000 Messerschmitt TG500 bubble car. The club charges £12.50 a year for postal members.

It is important to mention any club affiliation when calling for an insurance quote.