Improved insurance for veteran and vintage cars

Competitive motor insurance rates developed for the 2006 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (4 - 5 November) by speciality insurer Hagerty International, are now available to all veteran and vintage car owners.

Angus Forsyth, managing director of Hagerty International, said: "As event partners at the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run for the first time this year, we worked with Allianz Cornhill to develop a bespoke rating system for participants. Having evaluated the market, we are now offering these more competitive rates to all veteran and vintage car owners."

The partnership with Allianz Cornhill was launched in January 2006, forming the UK arm of Michigan-based Hagerty Insurance Agency, the largest collectors car and boat broker in the world.

John Border, motor schemes manager for Allianz Cornhill Personal commented: "We have a long history of writing classic car insurance, and are now able to serve a wider and more specialised market.

"It's not every day that you are asked to insure a very rare 1933 Maserati 8CM followed by a number of cars taking part in the London to Brighton Run and a 1956 Ferrari 290 MM first driven by Fangio in the Mille Miglia endurance race in Italy."

In addition to vintage models, Hagerty insures a range of collectors' vehicles from popular classics such as MGs to rare marques, for example an £800,000 Maserati 250F insured for its racetrack appearance at the Silverstone Classic in July.

"We have established one of the few true collector car specialists in the UK," added Forsyth. "Britain is a veritable hotbed of classic car collectors and we are offering them the best premium rates for the most comprehensive policy."

The Hagerty Collector Car Insurance Policy includes, but is not limited to:

Competitive premiums
Agreed value coverage
Salvage retention options
European cover
Flexible usage
24-hour claims assistance
Repair shop of your choice
Roadside assistance
Restoration coverage
Track day cover

Nearly 500 pre 1905 veteran cars are expected to participate in the 2006 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, with over 100 international entries from as far away as China, Australia, USA, South Africa and Canada.