The things they say...

Norwich Union’s Personal Insurance Administration manager, D T Clark, writing of cars over 15 years old being unacceptable for his company’s breakdown holiday assistance service: “Whilst with the enthusiast such vehicles are obviously well maintained and generally reliable we are advised by Europ Assistance that in their experience vehicles of this age that are not owned by enthusiasts but are run by people because of their relative low cost, are not reliable and tend to break down more often and when they do are more expensive to repair.” It is suggested that such owners should use the rival AA or RAC services. Which seems droll, as Norwich Union claims to support the Classic Car movement, and indeed sponsors the Norwich Union Classic Car Run.

Another solution for old-car owners requiring this kind of holiday insurance seems to be to join an appropriate one-make car club, when National Breakdown will accept you in its Blue Riband scheme.