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Posts for: November2018
Hiring out your classic car can be a great way to get a little extra income from your passion. It can help pay for your maintenance bills. And it can help you to justify keeping your prized possession. But there are some key considerations, like the implications on your classic car insurance to think about. Here’s our Easy2understand guide to what you need to know.
Ways to hire out your classic car
There are two main hiring options to consider if you want to make some extra cash from your classic car.
1) Using your classic car as a private hire vehicle
The first type of hire you may consider for your classic is where you’re driving and taking paying passenger(s). For example, you’re using your classic Rolls Royce for a wedding.
The wedding market is lucrative, and vintage vehicles can command big fees. For example, Bridebook recommends that the happy couple budget £395 if they want the use of a classic Bentley for three hours.
Bear in mind: If you do decide to hire your classic car as a wedding, or any other event, vehicle, you’ll need to apply to your local council for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence (PHV licence). You’ll need this licence even if you only hire your vehicle once a year.
2) Hiring out your classic vehicle for others to use
The second way of hiring out your classic car is to paying customers who will drive your vehicle on the road for a set period of time. This is attractive to people who like the idea of having a classic car but don’t, or can’t, go the whole way and buy one. These ‘experience’ days can be especially popular with people looking for a more unusual weekend break or honeymoon. And there are lots of classic and vintage car hire companies out there that you can use to hire out your classic.
You may also want to consider hiring out your vehicle for use on photo-shoots or film and TV sets. Again, there are agencies that specialise in sourcing vehicles of all ages and makes for film. Be wary of any company that charges a fee just to register – there is no guarantee that your vehicle will be used, so you could be out of pocket. Look for a reputable company that pays a good fee and will ensure comprehensive insurance is provided whilst your vehicle is being used on set. Don’t forget to check things like agreed value or modifications are included.
Bear in mind: If your car is in Concours condition or you would be upset if it got the old scratch, then hiring it out to others may not be the best option for you.
Insuring your classic car for hire
If you’re planning on hiring out your classic car and taking paying passengers, you’ll need ‘hire and reward’ car insurance. This is specifically designed for anyone who takes payment in return for taking passengers. If you have a classic, it’s likely that you won’t be using your car for hire and reward every day. That means that standard hire and reward insurance may not be the best value for you. Instead, speak to a specialist classic car broker like Easy2Insure. We can look at all your options and how you intend to use your vehicle. That way, we can tailor your policy to meet your specific needs at the best value price possible.
Insuring imported classics for hire
If you’ve got a left-hand drive classic, like a Chevy or a Plymouth, that you want to hire out, you’ll need specialist insurance. Easy2Insure can cover imports and all ages and specifications for your peace of mind.
It’s Easy2Insure your classic car
Making money from your motor can be relatively straightforward. But you need the right insurance, or you could find your money-spinning idea costs you more in the long run.
At Easy2Insure we understand that your classic car needs more than just standard insurance. Whether you plan to hire it out or not, we offer competitive quotes that give you real peace of mind. As an independent insurance broker, we are free to shop around to find you the best price without compromising on the level of cover. This includes:
- Flexible limited mileage options
- Modifications
- Agreed value cover options
- Modifications covered on a like for like basis
- Uninsured loss recovery for non-fault claims
- Legal cover up to £50,000
- Left-hand drive models
We can also help you to keep the costs of insurance down with:
- Second car insurance policies
- Multi-car insurance policies for collectors
- Security discounts
- Club member discounts
Call our friendly team on 0800 917 9522 or get a classic car insurance quote today.
Dark, wet nights and frosty mornings are just around the corner, so it’s time to prepare your car for winter. A few minutes spent now could save you hours, and £££s this winter. Read our top 8 tips to get your wheels ready for the cold weather.
1) Look after your lights
It’s possible you’ve not driven after nightfall for the whole of the summer. But as winter approaches and the clocks change, it is getting darker earlier and earlier. Now is the time to check all your lights are working properly. This will not only make it safer for you to drive in the dark, but it could stop you receiving a fixed penalty notice. For example, if you’re stopped by the police because a brake-light is not working, you may receive a fixed penalty fine of £60 and three penalty points on your licence.
2) Check washer fluid levels
Your washers help keep your screen clear all through the year and are vital for safety. In the winter, lots of dirt and salt can be thrown up onto your screen as you drive along. If your washers run out, you risk having to drive with severely impaired visibility. It’s a good idea to use screenwash in your washers. This can help to break down the dirt and salt residue that’s likely to hit your screen during the winter. If you’re driving in frosty conditions, it can be even more challenging if your washers are also frozen. Luckily, screenwash and water also have a lower freezing point than using water alone.
3) Time for new tyres?
Check your tread. If it’s borderline legal, then the winter is the time to get some new tyres. Wet, icy roads mean you’ll rely on the tread for grip much more.
If you drive a lot, it may be worth considering buying specialist winter tyres and storing your other tyres until the spring. Winter tyres are developed specifically for use in cold conditions. The tread is cleverly designed to disperse water or snow. That improves your contact with the road, which means better grip in colder weather than with standard tyres. This means you may be less likely to spin off on an icy corner. This improved grip can also help to reduce your braking distance, helping you to stop quickly.
Winter tyres are not a legal requirement in the UK. However, if you’re heading for the Austrian slopes in your car, be aware that in Austria winter tyres are mandatory in the winter months. You’ll face a hefty 5000 EURO fine if you’re stopped driving without them.
4) Check your battery
Cold weather can affect your battery. If your battery is getting old and starting to fail, that could mean the difference between your car starting or not. Avoid turning up to work or school late by checking your battery and replacing it if necessary.
5) Add antifreeze
Anti-freeze can be added to your vehicles cooling system to stop it from freezing when the temperatures plummet. You can buy it in concentrated form or ready-mixed with water. If your car was made before 1998, it’s likely you’ll need an anti-freeze that contains silicates. If it was made after that date, it’s likely you’ll need one without silicates using Organic Acid Technology (OAT) instead. Check your user manual. Make sure your engine is topped up, especially as the cooler months approach.
6) Be prepared
If you do break down in the winter, you’ll be glad you were prepared. Put together an emergency kit, which you keep in your boot, just in case. It could include:
- A torch, to give you light if something happens after dark.
- A hazard warning triangle, to notify other drivers that your car has stopped.
- A high-vis vest, so you’ll show up if you do need to get out of your car when it’s dark.
- A drink and some food, in case you get stranded for some time. For example, due to a sudden snowstorm.
- A shovel, so you can dig yourself out if you are stuck in the snow.
- Warm clothes or a blanket. If you need to get out of your car on a cold winters day or night, you’ll quickly feel the chill, so keep a warm coat handy in the boot. A blanket can also be useful, especially if you are forced to spend the night in your car.
It’s also wise to keep your mobile phone, and a battery charger, handy.
7) Beef up your breakdown cover
Is your breakdown cover up to date? Does it include homestart? Will it take you home if your car can’t be fixed on the roadside? If you’re driving this winter, you can buy extra peace of mind with comprehensive breakdown cover. This is often available at a discounted rate if you purchase it at the same time as your car insurance. Speak to your broker for more details.
8) It’s Easy2Insure your car this winter
If the worst does happen and you crash on black ice or your engine is destroyed when you drive through a flood in the road, you’ll want to know your insurance covers you. Speak to our friendly team at Easy2Insure for cover you can count on at a great price. Call us today on 0800 917 9522 or get a free quote now.
