So, if an Australian insurance co asks for a "kill switch" on a 40 year old Mini - what qualifies as a kill switch?

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

I would think some sort of approved immobiliser...

...such as a Lucas ignition switch.

I know it sounds silly - we aren't asked for anything like that in Canada (I guess Lucas electrics are better understood here).

Seems the issue is theft. So how many Minis get stolen in Australia each year?

Have driven a Classic Mini in these United States - Arizona, Arkansa, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming - NO ATTEMPTED THEFTS.

And in these Canadian Provinces - British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec - NO ATTEMPTED THEFTS.

Wherever I have had an iffy feeling when parking the Mini, the rotor has come out of the dizzy....

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

You need to ask your insurance company what constitutes an approved kill switch. There will likely be requirements, all black wiring for example (at least with alarms & immobilisers).

Also find out whether they require evidence that a kill switch is installed - sometimes they do, and that may be hard to produce after the car has been stolen.

I would recommend a touch-key immobiliser would be a better idea, not too expensive either.

Unfortunately Mini theft is not so uncommon as you would like.

I'd say try a different insurnace company. It sounds like you are using a mainstream one (NRMA, GIO, RACV etc)

Shannons never demand any such thing for any of my cars. Not sure about other specialists such as Lumleys.

Cheers,

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

Bear in mind that although they may not demand it, fitting an approved anti theft device may lower your premiums

Though I would understand if you were reluctant to fit an alarm to your concourse Cooper S

No Cooper S here...just a highly modified but street Mini 1000 with 1380cc power, S brakes etc. with separate fuel pump switch.

The matter arose as we continue to jump through hoops in preparing for the One Lap in the Van.

I have learned Shannons does not require a kill switch but does give credit for alarms and immobilizers even more so.

Thanks for all advice & ifo. Much appreciated.

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

shannons would be the way to go.

Wouldn't this qualify as a security device, particularly if it is not labelled as such and/or hidden.

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

I don't know your story, being from Canada n all, but something worth bearing in mind is that if an Australian insurance company requires an immobiliser fitted, you would presume it would need to be an as/nzs standard complied immobiliser and fitted to as/nzs standards.

So if say you had an immobiliser fitted that complied with Canadian standards, it would be worthwhile raising that with the insurance company, make sure they are aware and happy. Or better yet go with Shannons who have no requirement for an immobiliser

I used to be insured with a group that required an immobiliser fitted, and because I had fitted it myself, they required I take it to an auto electrician and get a stat dec saying it had been fitted to appropriate standards. Funny thing was the insurance company didn't want a copy of the stat dec, they just said they would require it should my car ever be stolen

This is a kill switch if it is hidden and not visible like mounted on the dash or something.

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Given you remove the rotor sometimes, how do you know there were no attempted thefts?

Rubbish!! That's where I hide my fuel pump switch

Just so you know the car he is referring to is already in Australia and has been since it was built at Leyland in 197?. There is no question about international "errors" as all work is done here.

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT