Why is insurance so expensive for my Aixam microcar?

I own and drive a 2003 Aixam 500 Super Luxe microcar which I drive on a class B1 licence, as I have a full motorcycle licence and entitlement to drive the class of car stipulated. I passed my bike test in 1991 and have 20 years clean driving behind me. Whenever I come to renew my insurance the quotes given to me are astronomical, for example £700 this year alone.

I will be 50 in December this year but this doesn’t seem to be taken into account. I swapped a motorcycle for this car because I was fed up of the cold, wet British weather and was led to believe that these little cars were cheap to own and run. Do you know of any loopholes (legal of course) whereby I can get reasonably priced insurance? Maybe there is an owners club that would know?

Asked on 1 July 2012 by AW, Bolton,

Answered by Honest John

Seems to be a club on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31804486052 Looking for 'Microcar Insurance’, this came up: www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/manufacture.../

The reason for high microcar insurance in France used to be that a licence was not required, so when an habitual drinker lost his driving licence for drunk driving he would simply go out and buy a microcar. That’s what Claude, my French neighbour, told me, anyway.

Tags: insurance small cars

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