The A2 has an aluminium body and is now a youngtimer: repair costs are high while the market value is low, and that makes total loss the decisive scenario.
The calculator and the quote form below are in Dutch. Prefer to do this in English? Email info@finassverzekert. nl or call 072 - 509 24 56 and we will take it from there.
Work out for yourself what it would cost.
Enter your details; you will receive a proposal within one working day.
We compare the offerings of several insurers
An adviser checks whether the cover suits your situation
A premium indication, not personal advice. Prefer to talk it through? Call 072 - 509 24 56.
In brief
The Audi A2 was built between 1999 and 2005 on an aluminium spaceframe. That is remarkable in engineering terms and awkward in insurance terms: aluminium panels cannot be beaten out as steel can, repair calls for a bodyshop with the right equipment and separate tools, and panels are replaced more often than repaired. The repair bill for a collision that looks minor therefore comes out higher than on a steel car of the same age.
Set against that is a low market value. The combination means an insurer quickly decides on a total loss: as soon as repair exceeds a proportion of the market value stated in the conditions, the car is written off and a well-maintained example is lost. Anyone who wants to keep their A2 has to arrange that in advance, not once the loss adjuster is already there.
We therefore look at whether a a fixed agreed value makes sense, whether a youngtimer or third-party, fire and theft arrangement fits better, and which insurer accepts aluminium repairs. See also the Audi overview page and the classic car insurance for the older examples.
The structure of the cover in three parts, with an overview per situation below.
Compulsory
Third-party liability
Damage you cause to others.
Required by law
As long as the registration is in your name
Suspend the registration when not in use
Third-party liability plus
Third-party, fire and theft
Causes beyond your control.
Fire and storm
Theft
Windscreen damage
Comprehensive cover
Comprehensive
Including damage you cause yourself.
Own fault
Vandalism
Replacement-as-new period
What is covered
Situation
Third-party liability
Third-party, fire and theft
Comprehensive
Damage to the other party
Yes
Yes
Yes
Theft
No
Yes
Yes
Fire and storm
No
Yes
Yes
Damage you cause yourself
No
No
Yes
Wear and mechanical defects
No
No
No
Driving without a valid licence
No
No
No
This overview is general in nature and is not personal advice. What is actually covered, including exclusions, limits and the excess, is set out in the policy conditions and the insurance card (verzekeringskaart) of the insurer; you receive both before you take out cover. Taking out cover without advice? Then read what execution only means for you.
Where things go wrong in practice
Four points that make the difference between a policy that pays out and one that does not.
Aluminium repair calls for a specialist firm
An aluminium body may not be worked on in the same space as steel, because filings cause galvanic corrosion. Repairers need separate equipment and certification. Not every bodyshop in an insurer's network can do this. So ask in advance whether free choice of repairer is allowed, because a policy with compulsory network repair may send you to a firm that cannot carry out the work in-house.
Total loss looms on relatively small damage
If the repair costs exceed a proportion of the market value stated in the conditions, the insurer may decide on a total loss. On a car with high repair costs and a low market value, that threshold is soon reached. If you want to keep the car, say so as soon as you report the claim, ask for the wreck and have it recorded what salvage value is being deducted. Going back on that choice afterwards rarely works.
An agreed valuation against the market value argument
On a well-maintained or restored example with a complete history, an agreed valuation by a recognised valuer is the way to fix the value in advance. Article 7:960 of the Dutch Civil Code allows that as long as the valuation is valid; insurers apply a period for this. Once it expires, the market value the loss adjuster establishes applies again. Keep maintenance invoices and photographs, because they support the report.
What is not covered
Wear, corrosion and mechanical defects are not a sudden event and fall outside own-damage cover. A seized engine or a worn clutch is therefore not a claim. Costs that arise because a part is no longer available are not paid for on top. Loss of value after a repair is rarely paid. Undeclared modifications are not insured, and intent and recklessness fall away under Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code.
What does your premium depend on?
Fixed value or market value. An agreed valuation gives certainty in advance and changes the basis on which own-damage cover is calculated.
Condition, service history and originality. A complete history determines whether an insurer accepts a valuation or youngtimer cover.
Type of cover chosen. With a low market value, third-party, fire and theft is often easier to justify than comprehensive cover.
Annual mileage. Limited use alongside an everyday car opens up more favourable rate bands.
Storage. A locked garage counts for more on an older car than on a new model.
Age of the driver and no-claims years. Some youngtimer schemes set a minimum age for the main driver.
Insurers weigh these details differently. That is where your saving is.
How we arrange it
You request a quoteWe take stock of your situation, your risk and your wishes.
We compareseveral insurers, on premium as well as conditions.
You receive a proposalWith an explanation of the differences and the exclusions.
We arrange the switchIncluding cancellation, so there is no gap in cover.
Customers rate our service on four aspects: personal service, service delivery, availability and the outcome. The reviews are collected and published by NH1816 and come from customers who have actually taken out a policy with Finass Advies B.V. or reported a claim.
Often not, unless the value has been fixed by a valuation. Set your annual premium plus excess against the market value. If that value falls below roughly three to four times that outlay, comprehensive cover delivers little. Third-party, fire and theft keeps the important causes in place, such as fire, storm, theft and glass damage, at a lower premium.
Why is damage to this car so expensive to repair?
The body is aluminium. That material cannot be beaten out as steel can, calls for separate welding equipment and may not be worked on in the same space as steel because of galvanic corrosion. Panels are therefore replaced rather than repaired, and the number of firms able to do this work is limited. That pushes up both the hourly rate and the time it takes.
Can I keep my A2 if it is declared a total loss?
Usually yes, but you have to say so when you report the claim. The insurer then pays the agreed value less the salvage value of the wreck and your excess. Have it recorded in writing what salvage value is being applied. If the vehicle is registered as beyond repair, further requirements apply before it can go back on the road with a registration.
Does an A2 qualify for a classic or youngtimer scheme?
That depends on the build date and on the conditions the insurer sets. Such schemes usually require a limited annual mileage, storage in a locked space, a second car for everyday use and sometimes a minimum age for the driver. In return you can often work with an agreed valuation rather than the market value.
Finass Verzekert is a trading name of Finass Advies B.V. We advise on and arrange non-life insurance on the basis of an objective analysis of several insurers, and receive commission for this from the insurer, which is included in the premium. You pay no separate advice fee. Before you take out cover, we establish your wishes and needs.
You will find our licence, KvK and Kifid details and our complaints procedure at the foot of every page.
