Can you insure a SORNd car?

[PaulWhitt20]

Hi

I have a classic mini, the MOT ran out last year and is currently being restored at a local garage. It has taken a while to get it restored and in that time the tax has also run out so I SORNd it as you can’t tax a car with no MOT.  The insurance is due for renewal next month. If it is not restored and MOTd by then will I be able to insure it or do I need different insurance for a SORNd car? Just to stress it has not been driven on a road since the MOT ran out.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Linas.P]

Yes, you can insure it, actually you must insure it if you planning to take it to say MOT centre. But it is kind of weird, because insurance still expect your car to be road worthy. SORN does not mean it is not road worthy and MOT does not mean that it is, so it is important not to confuse it. However, it would be very interesting case if you have accident in SORN car when taking it for MOT, I am sure insurance will do all the can not to pay.

Actually, I will have to do the same with my IS250 soon and my friend did it today on old Merc CE280, basically cars were off the road so was SORN and now they need MOT before they can get Road TAX, but it has to be insured before it could be taken to MOT centre. 

But in short the answer is yes. The only other alternative is to use trailer.

 

[Spock66]

Surely the garage doing the restoration could drive it on trade plates to the MOT centre.

[PaulWhitt20]

The garage restoring it should be able to MOT it, otherwise they haven't restored it properly.

I was more thinking do I need to insure it whilst it is being restored? I suppose the restorer (a reputable garage) will have their own insurance against theft etc whilst on their premises.

[Spock66]

10 minutes ago, PaulWhitt20 said:

I was more thinking do I need to insure it whilst it is being restored? I suppose the restorer (a reputable garage) will have their own insurance against theft etc whilst on their premises.

If they don't have insurance they would not be a reputable company.

No doubt you can also insure a vehicle for damage & theft only, there must be loads of SORN vehicles some of which will be pretty valuable.

[Linas.P]

22 minutes ago, PaulWhitt20 said:

The garage restoring it should be able to MOT it, otherwise they haven't restored it properly.

I was more thinking do I need to insure it whilst it is being restored? I suppose the restorer (a reputable garage) will have their own insurance against theft etc whilst on their premises.

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought they finished restoration and you now want to insure it whilst it is still SORN.

If it is still being restored and you not planning on driving it anywhere, then you don't need to. You don't need to insure the car whilst it is being restored, that should be on their business liability insurance, actually thinking about it you probably can't. Because you would need to tell the type of use and that would not be applicable as you wouldn't be driving it.

 

[MrTrendizzle]

The law states so long as the car has insurance you can drive it to the nearest MOT station and back while it's sorn but it has to be a "pre booked" mot appointment.  

Obviously if you crash during this time so long as it's not caused due to a serious vehicle failure and say just your lack of concentration if at fault then you're good and insurance will have to payout regardless. Just be sure to keep the MOT appointment booking confirmation as proof otherwise that could be a pain to chase up later.

[Malc]

are you primarily concerned that the car is insured against all and any of the risks associated with being at the Restorers alone ?

say theft of bits, fire, something hitting it etc ........... I would check with the Restorers for their advice and maybe top-up if appropriate with some insurer or other .......... there's an insurance market and quote for everything these days I'm sure ....  not necessarily simple straightforward ordinary motor cover tho'

Malc

[steve2006]

Specialist Classic car insurers’ will provide what you need, I think it is called “Laid up” cover.

You can also an “Agreed Value” as opposed to “Market Value” reflecting the cars real value and the policy generally covers spare parts as well.

Once you put the car back on the road you can obtain cheaper classic insurance based on an agreed mileage limit again with an agreed value.

If you look in classic car magazines there are always plenty of companies looking for business, mine was with Footman James.

[PaulWhitt20]

Thanks for your comments, all very helpful. I will tell the insurance company it is SORNd and then take out the insurance again when it is ready to be driven again, MOTd, and taxed. 

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.

Please feel free to give us a try for insurance when you're ready to put the car back on the road.

Regards,

Dan.

[PaulWhitt20]

Hi Dan,

wondered when you would pop up. In fact this thread was started because of the Adrian Flux reminder I got in the post. 
🙃

Thanks

Paul