Is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance worthwhile at £400pa?

[Guest]

I now feel a proper member. I've just bought a 1986 coupe! I look forward to meeting people at club events. []

It has been lowered and has a sports exhaust (which I may get made quieter at some point) but is in generally very good condition.

Now my excitement is out of the way I can get to my question...

I have the option to get Mechanical Breakdown Insurance for £400 a year. It covers "failure of a component, causing a sudden stoppage of its function, for a reason other than wear and tear, normal deterioration or negligence." I've put some more details below. I need to decide in the next day or two.

So the question is whether this insurance is worth it or not? Most of the expensive work that seems to be needed on 3.2's seem to be either the engine rebuild which it isn't clear that it is covered (sudden stoppage of its function), periodic clutch and gearbox work (on 915's at least) and bodywork. What other things might go wong and be expensive?

Has anybody else used Auto Protect (the insurers)? Was it a good experience when it came time to claim?

If it makes a difference I will be using the car daily and racking up quite a number of miles although largely motorway.

Many thanks,

Joseph

It explicitly includes:
Oil seals - Crankshaft front seal, camshaft oil seal, auxiliary shaft oil seal, gearbox rear seal and any oil seal or gasket where removal of the engine, gearbox or differential drive unit is essential in order to effect repair.

Casings - If covered parts fail and it damages the casings.

Working materials

Oil, oil filter and anti-freeze are covered only if it is essential to replace them because of a part which is covered.

"Excluding
Cracked cylinder heads and/or failure to valves as a result of carbon build-up. Body, paint, glass, interior/exterior trim, in-car entertainment systems,catalytic converters, wheels, electrical wiring and wiring looms.
Normal wear and tear/service items and other components subject to routine maintenance or periodic repair and replacement such as plugs, HT leads, brake frictional material, clutch facings, wiper blades/rubbers, V belts, hoses, light bulbs/units, tyres, batteries, exhaust systems [this is not a complete list]."

 

[dtunnicliffe]

Joseph,

Save your money and become your own insurer! Reckon you wont part with that sort of cash over a year unless you are very unlucky. Properly maintained Porsche are pretty tough vehicles. Can't thrash a Ferrari at the weekend and go to work in it on Monday but you can a 911. You don't say how many miles it has done and what the service history is like. These are important issues. A well maintained vehicle will do all you plan on doing and more. Enjoy it, save your dosh and get to know your car.

Dave

 

[Guest]

Thanks Dave, thats sort of what I was figuring but I thought I'd ask those with more experience.

The current mileage is about 67,000 and I'm going to be doing quite a lot more in it, I may double it over the next 4 or 5 years. Service history is full with a lot of recent work at Autofarm including a Performance kit in the last couple of years.

Other stuff, off topic really.

I've found a selection of chips (ECUs I think) in the door pocket and I might try to work out what they are as the car was running a bit too rich at its MOT and I'd rather sacrifice a touch of power for more efficient smooth running.

At the moment the current exhaust is very loud and there is a particular reverberation between about 1800 and 2700 rpm. I suspect this will require at least a replacement of part of the exhaust although hopefully not too much. I might ask some questions about this at a later date but if anyone has any cheaper tips for reducing the volume a bit I'm all ears.

Joseph