My insurance co. is trying to screw me over. My rates for last year were $118/month with 4 minor tickets.

Three of those tickets have came off, so I now only have one on my record... I was expecting a better rate but instead they want $169 a month. I called around and I can get rates as low as $87/month... but all of these places want me to get a safety check to start a new policy....

For a 6 month policy I'd save roughly $500 with the new company, but I'd have to get a safety....

Does anyone know any place that does fair safety checks in the London area? Or any crooked places for that matter?

When I first bought my car I got raped by the garage that saftied my car... they failed it until I finally paid them to do some work. I paid them to replace a steering box that they said leaked (it didn't). When they were done... the "new" box leaked like a siv.. and they passed it.

This is really pissing me off... I was all ready to get insurance today and they do this to me.

 

The politician's and cop's spend all their time whining about "Biker Gang's"and "Squeejie kid's" when they should be worrying about the biggest criminal conspiracy out there FR@#KIN insurance company's......I have found through trial and error that your best non "crooked" bet is to find a small but reputable non chain service center to do your safety the chain places (C.T etc) are alway's a P.I.T.A to do safety's. As far as crooked you might get better responses if you left your e-mail address.
How come you have to re-safety? did you let your insurance lapse?.........SR

 

does the car need anything major for a safety? like brakes or anything? i can ask around, but it wont be in london, the shop would be out near parkhill.

 

I only put my car on the road for the summers. Up until now my current insurance agent hasn't required a safety when I go to put it on the road each year.

This was fine and dandy until he jacked up the premiums through the roof. The premiums he is offering me (Allstate) are TWICE what most others are offering me. The obvious choice is to go to another company, but all other companies I've called require a safety before every new policy (for a car as old as mine).

So every time I take it off the road for the winter I have to get a new policy in the summer... and thus a saftey as well.

The other option is to leave my car insured for the full year, but switch to just fire & theft for the winter. This would be great if they didn't require a FREAKING appraisal EVERY year because my car is "too old"...

Basically I have to choose between having the car appraised every year or having the car safetied every year. It's total BS.

 

For a safety... here's the list of stuff I'm sure they'll nail me on:

-Neutral switch (I have a jerry-rigged ratchet shifter)
-Centre Link
-Ball Joints
-Possibly rear shoes

The rotors still have alot of beef on 'em and the pads are good... the floor and frame are solid. All lights etc are in working order.

 

That sucks, but an appraisal is good for two years, I believe. My Bro-in-law had a '67 Chevelle , and he had it appraised every two years. The only thing is, that when it is appraised for an insurance company, the rate will reflect the appraisal, eg. if your car is appraised at $7000.00, your rate will be higher than the Blue Book value which is about $ 1,500.00. I would say that your best bet is to get a small shop that is a certified inspection center. Have them go through the car to find out exactly what the car needs for a safety. Get them or yourself to fix the items and then get them to do the safety. Once you have the safety, then you can shop for a better insurance rate. Good Luck.

 

Are you sure the other insurance companies aren't talking about the government safety check, where they just simply take a few pictures of your car to make sure all S/N's match up? I had to do one of these every time I switched companies, or insured a new car. I've NEVER heard of an insurance company asking to get your car RE-certified. I'd double check and see what exactly they mean by a safety.

 

I will double check... As far as I know "Safety" implies the whole run-down. I've had the pictures thing before, and that's not a safety check. I wish it was

Since I'm only putting PL/PD on, the appraisal shouldn't affect my rates too much... but you are right, maybe the safety is the best bet. I think for this year I might just eat it and pay the $169/month... I really don't feel like going through all the BS of a safety.


The order that you have to do things is TOTAL BS....

-You Can't get plates without E-test & Insurance
-Can't get insurance without safety
-Can't drive car to get safety without insurance or plates

Solution: Get 10-day permit

-Can't get permit without insurance
-Can't get insurance without safety
-Can't drive car to get safety without insurance / permit

Solution: Tow car to garage to be saftied


The only possible way I have found to do everything legally is:

1. Tow car to garage to get safety
2. Get Insurance Policy
3. Get E-test
4. Get Plates
5. Drive your car if you have any money left.

If anyone knows any easier way... please help me out.

***** CLIFF'S NOTES*****
The government blows... and so do insurance companies

 

My in surance broker is awesome... Sandy Billyard Insurance in Welland... ask for Gary...

 

I have a buddy that is an insurance broker in Delhi. His name is Ian Pettinger. Call him and tell him that I gave you his number. His phone # is 519-582-0560. Tell him the situation you are in with your company, and that your looking to get some better rates. I've insured a bunch of cars with him, as well as most of my car buddies as well. He's never asked once to see a safety (he's helped get a few too if you know what I mean). They do make you take a picture of your car though for insurance reasons, but its not a safety check by any means.

Hope this helps!

 

johny: Dude you might want to keep shopping around. I've been through a couple insurance companies in my life and I've never required a safety. That is complete and total BS. If you PM me I'll give you the name and number for my broker, whom I had no troubles with at all.

 

Thanks alot guys! I am making calls as I type this...

They might be giving me a hard time since it's a '83... but it still seems like BS to me. I'll get it on the road one way or another.

 

Any car over 15yrs old requires a safety when changing insurance companys.If you had it safetied 1 mth ago and changed companies,the new company wants another safety.Sucks big time but went through the same thing.

 

Oh wow.. I never knew that policy... stinky nuts.

 

Johnny I private messaged u...

 

I just got back from my first cruize of the season! My car is a LOT faster than I remember! (Could have something to do with mods ). I'm having major traction problems with a TH350 and 3.23 rear. Once I swap the 700R4 I'm going to be fawked! Time to pick up those slicks.

I got a policy for $85/month, and he says I won't need a safety. I had to call alot of places to get this deal... if anyone in the area needs the hook-up it's:

Thames Insurance
Lambeth, Ontario

383 Smoka -> I might take you up on your offer later this summer. I am planning on picking up a project.

 

glad to hear you solved your insurance problems. i hate insurance companies. i might give those guys in lambeth a call. congrats on getting the car on the road. you will have to take me for a spin in that thing.

 

For sure man.... if you don't have plans, we should go to the test & tune in St. Thomas.

 

sounds like a good idea. you can kick my *** in a few head to head races. we should head the junk yards some weekend too.

 

although, it will be more of a test and tets night for me, as i dont know how to tune anything. it will still be fun