Car insurance? (not meerkats).

[XmisterIS]

My car insurance is coming up for renewal, I've been with the AA for years, mainly because my Father went with the AA and I was put on my parent's insurance when I was a lanky yoof who couldn't afford his own car. In recent years, however, their quotes have had me sucking through my teeth!

This year, however, takes the biscuit. I have never had a claim and despite the fact that I now have 12 years no claims in my own right (since I got my first car and was insured separately from my parents) and I am a year older, my quote has actually gone UP compared to last year!!!! I thought it was supposed to work the other way around ...

Anyway, I have been on the internet, comparing meerkats, and there are plenty of deals out there that are much cheaper than the AA.

"Now", thinks I, "Surely car insurance does the same thing, no matter who you buy it from?"

"Although", thinks I again, "There's no such thing in this world as a free lunch!".

Let's consider car insurance as a "commodity" or "product" - what is the difference between the insurance "product" from someone like DirectDial insurance (who gave the cheapest quote) and the AA (who have quoted me over double what DirectDial have quoted)?

I have never had to claim so I am a rather wide-eyed and innocent when it comes to car insurance!

 

[lazyfatgit]

As someone who has had the misfortune to have to helped the wife claim on a comprehensive policy several times over the years, the most efficient and helpful we've used are Norwich Union. they were also about 3rd cheapest last time round.

Make sure you get legal cover too. its only about 10 or 15pounds extra, and we found it very useful.

 

[snakehips]

I think all insurance companies these days work on the principle of 'let's see if we can screw the existing customers because they might be too lazy and/or stupid to shop around'.
A friend told me he had got the best deal with More Than. I gave up with them a few years ago because it seemed they charged More Than anybody else. My friend gets the best deal by becoming a new customer of theirs every year.
The notion of rewarding existing customers has passed away. Loyalty is dead , (or at least , very costly).

Snake

My Library

 

[Hilldodger]

After many years I've moved over to Swift Cover and they have been very good. (I know there's probably a honeymoon period being a new customer)

They were nearly £100 cheaper and even sorted out my proof of no claims when my prevoius insurance provider hadn't got around to sending it.

I'm sure all insurance companies are the same in the end but it was nice to actually get some customer service for once.

 

[Spinney]

Norwich Union were fine when I had to claim on household insurance, but a friend had horror stories of the way they had dealt with her insurance claim.

I always ring around every year. It pissed me off when you get the quote from the existing company, it's higher, so you phone to enquire why, and they say -oh, there is another policy we could give you which would be cheaper.

So I agree with snakehips - they're all trying to screw you for as much as they can get.

 

[Night Train]

I have found that being with Direct Line has given me a peace of mind that claims will be dealt with quickly and without hassle.

BUT, I have also found that their renewals are over priced and I can get a better deal going online and pretending that I am a new customer.
Also I don't like the standard of work at their repair garages (maybe the same with all insurance companies) and would rather find my own and get the bill approved by the insurer.

I have tried online comparisons and Direct Line are still the cheapest for me based on my mileage, occupation, location and work use.

 

[tyred]

My insurance took a severe rise last year for no apparent reason. I phoned around and could do very little better, many not willing to quote me as the car is over 10 year old (???) a none of the online quotes were much cheaper either. I went in person to an insurance broker in the high street (who represented my insurance company among others) and pointed out that I had never made a claim in 12 years of driving and that my car is low powered, in good mechanical condition and low value so why the increase? I was asked to step into the office for a few minutes and ended up having my own insurance policy renewed for E220 less than I had originally been quoted.

So it might be worthwhile to go in person to an insurance brokers if it's convenient for you.

 

[Globalti]

We have had the same experience- there's no concept of loyalty, they will hook you with a low quote then bang up the premium next year. Luckily the web makes it very easy to change your insurer, as long as you can get the proof of No Claims from last year's insurer.

Best we've ever experienced was NFU Direct, they were fantastic when their client decided to demolish his Freelander by rear-ending my wife and son in our proper Land Rover. All we needed was a new rear door and spare wheel carrier and NFU were brilliant. They've been good when we've insured through them as well, very competitive too.

 

[GilesM]

Most insurance companies seem to be very similar these days, I wouldn't worry about Direct Line being any worse if things go wrong than the AA, the majority will send you to the same large bodyshops for repairs if ever things should go wrong. I have one car insured with AON as they are much better for sports/classic cars, they include trackday insurance and do allow you to select your own repairer, but for my normal car, I just switched to Admiral, very competative, strangely Direct Line were one of the most expensive.

My insurance took a severe rise last year for no apparent reason. I phoned around and could do very little better, many not willing to quote me as the car is over 10 year old (???) a none of the online quotes were much cheaper either. I went in person to an insurance broker in the high street (who represented my insurance company among others) and pointed out that I had never made a claim in 12 years of driving and that my car is low powered, in good mechanical condition and low value so why the increase? I was asked to step into the office for a few minutes and ended up having my own insurance policy renewed for E220 less than I had originally been quoted.

So it might be worthwhile to go in person to an insurance brokers if it's convenient for you.

Tyred, remember the ROI is in another world when it comes to car insurance, my other half's Megane Coupe cost more to insure in Dublin than my Lotus Elise does in East Lothian.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Loyalty in the insurance industry?

As far as "Product" and price is concerned you will only know what you are buying if you get into the small print.

But life is just too short IMHO.

Now about these Meerkats

 

[swee'pea99]

The entire insurance business, along with all those tv ads (which both cost a fortune and show just how much money there is to be made) is built on inertia. Most people in this country could halve their premium, or better, with a little shopping around. I use moneysupermarket.com, tho' I'm sure confused and gocompare would be just the same. In fact, for the sake of an hour, I'd check all three. Do google before taking the very cheapest tho' - especially if you haven't heard of them. Some real cheapos can be a nightmare if you do find yourself having to claim. Oh, and pay a few quid more to protect your no claims.

 

[4F]

Look up the best deal on line and then phone the AA and tell them if they want your continued business they will have to match or beat the lower price.

I do this to direct line every year and it has not failed yet.

 

[rh100]

I always seem to find the same couple of companies give me the lowest quote, quite often they are brokers for someone else anyway. Aviva (Norwich Union) are quite good but Kwik Fit have beaten them a few times - plus I get 10% off MOT's and tyres etc. I don't bother staying loyal anymore - it costs too much.

 

[rh100]

www.comparethemeercat.com

Has anyone looked at this? I just found a meercat from weston, whose hobby is "collecting the stamps"

 

[siadwell]

Make sure you get legal cover too. its only about 10 or 15pounds extra, and we found it very useful.

Agree with this. Have had to use it twice now and, although it's not a painless experience, it must be preferable to suing via small claims court when the other driver denies responsibility or just doesn't respond.

It may be worth phoning your current insurer with a bunch of other, lower quotes and see how far they will move.

Also, if you are a member of Quidco or other cashback site, you can get tens of pounds in cashback from some insurers, which may make some of the more expensive quotes more affordable.