Dear Auckland Docks....

[Steve*B]

....please be gentle!









Should arrive 21st November, 2 days before me.

One down, three to go

[mat13]

How did you get down the sides to strap it down?

[Steve*B]

No idea Matt, I left before that part was done.....way too stressful to watch!

[Zaphod]

LOL, I remember having to do that with my Chimp into a container, which was already on the back of the lorry! Yep - nerve racking alright.

They then built a false floor and loaded my household possessions on top - I was terrified we'd open the container and find the floor had collapses somewhere in a Pacific Storm!

[Bull1t]

Our docks are safe...

[Zaphod]

Yeah right.

[The T Boy]

I had to load without getting the container off the lorry either. Drive onto the platform, forklift the platform up then drive into the container. Still space for the motorbike behind the car.

Arrives on 4th November - can't be soon enough!

[Steve*B]

The T Boy said:

Still space for the motorbike behind the car.

My OH has got the bike issue to contend with in container #3 as I'll already be in the air and on my way. Did they crate the bike up for you?

[The T Boy]

No. We put it across the container then strapped it forward and back to the sides from the handlebars and rear frame. I don't think there would have been room for a crate.

[Steve*B]

Well fingers crossed for calm seas.

Have you already arranged insurance for the Lotus once in NZ?

The AA over there won't touch any of the vehicles I'm taking, including the bike, stating high-risk, so if anyone has any broker recommendations?

[GravelBen]

AA insurance are generally rubbish for anything remotely interesting IMO - their target market seems to be the 60+ age bracket and Toyota Corollas. Try the other major insurance companies like AMI and State before you go to a broker.

[Steve*B]

GravelBen said:

Try the other major insurance companies like AMI

Thanks Ben, have sent an enquiry to them.

[Omerta]

I've found AMI quote high, or not at all for cars that aren't your usual. We ended up using Classic Cover for the Targa race car - $344 p.a. fully comp (special stages not included). They're in Hamilton - 07 8473926, I don't have an email addy for them but no doubt Google does.

[GravelBen]

Classic cover are great for special/rare/modified cars, I have the MX5 with them - but they don't do daily driver/regular cars. AMI have generally been the best quote for me being mid-20s with a turbo Subaru, but definitely shop around a bit.

[Omerta]

Good point... I remember now they wouldn't cover the daily driver Peugeot for me (which is with AMI). Not sure who else to try, but definitely worth shopping around some more.

[Kylie]

Steve*B said:

Thanks Ben, have sent an enquiry to them.

Hi I had my two Lotus's with Pinnacle insurance. Originally had it with Graham Steere insurance from Rotorua who only did exotics and hotrods, but he retired and put us through Pinnacle for same rates. Was quite cheap.

[The T Boy]

Someone at work gave me a couple of recommendations which I wrote down but left in the office. I'll bring them back tomorrow and let you know who it is. It's none of the ones mentioned above.

AA gave me good quotes for my normal car and bike so I'll be going with them for that. They couldn't cover the Lotus as they couldn't guarantee being able to find a suitable repair shop if one was required.

[Steve*B]

Insane, nobody wants my business!

AA, AMI,.....awaits Vero

[Omerta]

You could try some brokers like...
www.towes.co.nz
www.northcrest.co.nz
www.rothbury.co.nz

[Esprit]

Or specialists like www.prestigio.co.nz