A&Q about Lotus
Q:
What category security device does the Elise have? I am trying to see what I may pay in insurance in both MA and NJ. I am not sure what cat 1, cat 2, cat 3, cat 4, cat 4 + cat 3, etc means. I split my time between the 2 states. It is pretty tough getting a good rate in MA. The MA gov't sets the insurance premiums, so they really screw you in a "blue state" kind of way. I have a spotless driving record, and Liberty Mutual in MA wanted like $2395 for 12 months.
I am not sure how to find a good insurance co. in MA, but in NJ it's easy.
A:
Originally Posted by Cardinal
What category security device does the Elise have?
The Elise has a Catham Category 2 alarms system - which is meaningless in the US as it's a UK (European?) standard.
The Elise has an automatic immobilizer, intrusion alarm, a microwave motion sensor for the cockpit, and "rolling codes on the transmitter". That pretty much covers it all. The automatic immobilizer should be the part that gets you the biggest discount, since it is automatic and it prevents the car from being started (several ways - it stops the starter and the fuel at the very least).
What category that is in the US???
A:
From what I have found the system we have is similar to many systems being installed by OEMs and does not provide vehicle tracking capabilities. There is no meaningful discount with the system we have - if any at all.
You do get a discount if you install something like a LoJack but other than that don't expect to see any discount as a result of having the system installed in our Elise.
Having said that, it does seem that the rate you have been quoted is high. I have 1 DMV point and 1 insurance assigned point (for an accident that the insurance company had to pay a $3k claim to the other party for a "neck and back injury" (3 of his family members were also in the vintage '80's chevy van and they stated to my insurance company that he (father) was trying to get them to say they were hurt as well. So it was a bogus claim. The ins co just wanted to get the claim settled so they paid). The total damage to his van was $300. So it's hard to believe that he was injured. After all, when was the last time you saw any auto body repair that only cost $300?
I am paying about what you have been quoted and expect that to drop when both points come off the record by January '07.
Do more shopping around - there must be better rates available in your area.
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Yea, I forgot to mention - depending on where you live you may or may not get any discounts for an alarm/immobilizer system in your car. Virginia for instance does not mandate that insurers give the discount, so they don't.
As for insurance price - it depends on many things: age; record; location; car; martial status; education; number of other vehicles; if you insure your house with them; etc. For what it's worth, I'm paying around $700 a year for my Elise (or is it $800 - I don't remember, and my wife pays the bills).
A:
Originally Posted by Cardinal
What category security device does the Elise have? I am trying to see what I may pay in insurance in both MA and NJ. I am not sure what cat 1, cat 2, cat 3, cat 4, cat 4 + cat 3, etc means. I split my time between the 2 states. It is pretty tough getting a good rate in MA. The MA gov't sets the insurance premiums, so they really screw you in a "blue state" kind of way. I have a spotless driving record, and Liberty Mutual in MA wanted like $2395 for 12 months.
I am not sure how to find a good insurance co. in MA, but in NJ it's easy.
Addendum: Liberty Mutual will not insure an Elise in MA. WTF?! What insurance do you people use in the God-forsaken state of MA? Thank God the state sets the insuance premiums, thereby eliminating competition and good prices.
A:
Originally Posted by Cardinal
Addendum: Liberty Mutual will not insure an Elise in MA. WTF?! What insurance do you people use in the God-forsaken state of MA? Thank God the state sets the insuance premiums, thereby eliminating competition and good prices.
I went through exactly the same thing with Liberty Mutual in CT. I'd been with them for 10 years, but they would not underwrite an Elise. I ended up switching my house, the Elise and two other cars to Chubb. They're a little pricey but they wrote up the Lotus with a stated value policy for about $1200 a year. Unfortunately, when I renewedthe policy they changed the wording on one of their exclusions to specifically exclude HPDE coverage (previoulsy timed events).
A:
Originally Posted by AlanS
I went through exactly the same thing with Liberty Mutual in CT. I'd been with them for 10 years, but they would not underwrite an Elise. I ended up switching my house, the Elise and two other cars to Chubb. They're a little pricey but they wrote up the Lotus with a stated value policy for about $1200 a year. Unfortunately, when I renewedthe policy they changed the wording on one of their exclusions to specifically exclude HPDE coverage (previoulsy timed events).
That is just so odd to me. I called up my State Farm agent and they put it on my policy no problems (Dec 2004). I've got pretty extensive coverage here in Seattle, so I'm paying a bit more than that though (more like $1500/yr).
I don't expect State Farm to cover HPDE, so I'll be getting HPDE track insurance for that.
A:
Originally Posted by Terminus
That is just so odd to me. I called up my State Farm agent and they put it on my policy no problems (Dec 2004). I've got pretty extensive coverage here in Seattle, so I'm paying a bit more than that though (more like $1500/yr).
I don't expect State Farm to cover HPDE, so I'll be getting HPDE track insurance for that.
The problem is that Massachusetts is about as left-wing as North Korea. Massachusetts and NK probably have the same auto insurance laws. Read this and you'll see what I mean:
A:
Was able to get the 06 Elise insured as our third car in MA wiith Commerce. About 1.5 K/year.
A:
Originally Posted by matthias
Was able to get the 06 Elise insured as our third car in MA wiith Commerce. About 1.5 K/year.
Ahh! I have Commerce now for my Honda. I should check with them on the Elise again. They never got back to me last time. It would be my weekend, "fun" car. Hopefully that helps.
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We used Phil Glantz Agency in Brookline. Very helpful folks.
A:
Originally Posted by matthias
We used Phil Glantz Agency in Brookline. Very helpful folks.
Since the government in MA pricefixes the insurance premiums, it makes it easy to shop around. Maybe I can get a special rate if I insure both my cars with them. The most important thing at this point would be actually buying the GD Lotus. I live in NJ now but may move back to MA soon. What a pain.
A:
Originally Posted by Terminus
I don't expect State Farm to cover HPDE, so I'll be getting HPDE track insurance for that.
I'm with State Farm here in Seattle and they do cover HDPEs. I made the agent verify that with corporate underwriting and everything.
A:
I've had Liberty Mutual in MA on the Elise since 3/05. It never occurred to me that it might be an issue. I just bought the car and added it to my existing policy.
A:
Originally Posted by andykeck
I'm with State Farm here in Seattle and they do cover HDPEs. I made the agent verify that with corporate underwriting and everything.
Same in Texas.
IIRC, the Elise has a Cat 3 alarm. Faxed over a couple pages from the owners manual, and my agent coded in the discount. I don't think it's much. 10% or so, off a small fraction of the bill.
I posted a thread about this last year.
A:
I think the category thing is company-specific. None of the companies I deal with refers to any category. It's either active, passive, or recovery system. Of these, the Elise's is a passive-arming system. FWIW, the discount you get is minimal in the grand scheme of things as it only affects your Comprehensive (Other Than Collision)premium, which is one of the cheapest coverages on your policy. (ie, 10-20% off of maybe $200 of your premium = $20-40/yr)
A:
Originally Posted by Icedog_16
I think the category thing is company-specific. None of the companies I deal with refers to any category. It's either active, passive, or recovery system. Of these, the Elise's is a passive-arming system. FWIW, the discount you get is minimal in the grand scheme of things as it only affects your Comprehensive (Other Than Collision)premium, which is one of the cheapest coverages on your policy. (ie, 10-20% off of maybe $200 of your premium = $20-40/yr)
The key features were the passive arming of the immobilizer and the battery being in a locked/alarmed compartment.
I got mine certified as Category IV
Texas Anti-Theft Device Insurance Discount
Five categories specify levels of possible qualifying anti-theft devices:
Category I - Any of the following devices:
Fuel cut-off, ignition cut-off, or starter cut-off device to prevent the car from starting or running. Window identification system. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched into at least two windows (other than small vent windows). Alarm device with horn bell, or other sounding device activated by a door, hood and trunk sensor. Steel collar covering the steering column, to prevent access to the ignition system.
Category II - Both of the following are required:
Fuel cut-off, ignition cut-off, or starter cut-off device to prevent the car from starting or running.
Alarm device with automatic shut-off and reset. Plus two or more of the following which activate an alarm system:
Glass Sensor
Vibration sensor
Motion sensor
Ultrasonic sensor
Category III - Completion of Category II plus BOTH of the following:
Hood restraint
Back-up battery
Category IV - Completion of Category III plus:
A passive method of activating or deactivating the alarm system. "Passive" means it is activated automatically when the driver turns ignition off and removes the key.
Category V - Completion of Category IV plus:
Stolen motor vehicle recovery device.
A:
Originally Posted by FlyLo
The key features were the passive arming of the immobilizer and the battery being in a locked/alarmed compartment.
I got mine certified as Category IV
Texas Anti-Theft Device Insurance Discount
Five categories specify levels of possible qualifying anti-theft devices:
Category I - Any of the following devices:
Fuel cut-off, ignition cut-off, or starter cut-off device to prevent the car from starting or running. Window identification system. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched into at least two windows (other than small vent windows). Alarm device with horn bell, or other sounding device activated by a door, hood and trunk sensor. Steel collar covering the steering column, to prevent access to the ignition system.
Category II - Both of the following are required:
Fuel cut-off, ignition cut-off, or starter cut-off device to prevent the car from starting or running.
Alarm device with automatic shut-off and reset. Plus two or more of the following which activate an alarm system:
Glass Sensor
Vibration sensor
Motion sensor
Ultrasonic sensor
Category III - Completion of Category II plus BOTH of the following:
Hood restraint
Back-up battery
Category IV - Completion of Category III plus:
A passive method of activating or deactivating the alarm system. "Passive" means it is activated automatically when the driver turns ignition off and removes the key.
Category V - Completion of Category IV plus:
Stolen motor vehicle recovery device.
Must be a TX thing. But, if I understand that correctly, I think your alarm (assuming it's stock) does not fulfill the Category II requirements as it only has an ultrasonic sensor AFAIK.
A:
Originally Posted by Keeper
I've had Liberty Mutual in MA on the Elise since 3/05. It never occurred to me that it might be an issue. I just bought the car and added it to my existing policy.
Yes, you may want to look into it. LM will quote you for a policy online no problem. They quoted me a high rate. BUT, when you actually get them on the phone and you talk to a human being, they admit that they do not insure the Elise. It would stink if you made all your payments, only to find out that LM will not honor your policy once you need ti make a claim.