Car insurance renewal time

[rivers]

Not a renewal, but oh so fun shenanigans with Hastings Direct. We bought a new car back in September as we knew our aging Picanto was on the way out. We have always been a one car family, but decided as the Picanto was basically worth scrap, it would be more beneficial to keep it as a little runaround until it no longer econmically viable to run. Insured both with Hastings Direct on a multicar policy. I am the account holder (I deal with all insurance related faff in my house, so am the account holder on all of our polices and always have been), the Picanto policy (TP, Fire and Theft) was in my name and the Stonic (Full Comp) in my wife's, with the NCD transferred over. Now my wife has always been the main driver in our house, and the NCD in her name, despite me being the account holder on all previous insurance policies.
Now, 5.5 months later, the Picanto has finally died- well the clutch went and it's just not economical to repair. It mostly sat on the drive, and was driven once a week maybe into Bristol. I phoned Hastings this morning to let them know it's being scrapped this afternoon, and I would like to cancel the insurance on the Picanto. But, because I am the account holder and my wife is the policyholder on the Stonic, we have to cancel the entire policy and start a new one in my wife's name because the account holder and the policyholder cannot be two different people in Hastings world.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Not a renewal, but oh so fun shenanigans with Hastings Direct. We bought a new car back in September as we knew our aging Picanto was on the way out. We have always been a one car family, but decided as the Picanto was basically worth scrap, it would be more beneficial to keep it as a little runaround until it no longer econmically viable to run. Insured both with Hastings Direct on a multicar policy. I am the account holder (I deal with all insurance related faff in my house, so am the account holder on all of our polices and always have been), the Picanto policy (TP, Fire and Theft) was in my name and the Stonic (Full Comp) in my wife's, with the NCD transferred over. Now my wife has always been the main driver in our house, and the NCD in her name, despite me being the account holder on all previous insurance policies.
Now, 5.5 months later, the Picanto has finally died- well the clutch went and it's just not economical to repair. It mostly sat on the drive, and was driven once a week maybe into Bristol. I phoned Hastings this morning to let them know it's being scrapped this afternoon, and I would like to cancel the insurance on the Picanto. But, because I am the account holder and my wife is the policyholder on the Stonic, we have to cancel the entire policy and start a new one in my wife's name because the account holder and the policyholder cannot be two different people in Hastings world.

Yeah I didn't find Hastings to be particularly great either when I was with them, I never claimed (thankfully) but I did use the AA breakdown cover once who were excellent.

Kia Stonic - Love those little cars, surprisingly capacious and well equipped.

 

[fossyant]

My folks have just had their renewal for their Dacia Stepway - £800 a year. I was like, blimey that's more than double what I pay for a fast van. Then again they are in their 80's. Insurance starts to climb as you get proper crusty.

 

[rivers]

Yeah I didn't find Hastings to be particularly great either when I was with them, I never claimed (thankfully) but I did use the AA breakdown cover once who were excellent.

Kia Stonic - Love those little cars, surprisingly capacious and well equipped.

Yeah, I need to phone Hastings back this afternoon to get it sorted- they phoned me back just as I was leaving the house to take the dog to the groomer.
The Stonic is brilliant, much bigger than the Picanto (which was also brilliant).

 

[wiggydiggy]

Also just on the subject of breakdown, I normally get that included in the insurance for simplicity, I noticed this year all the policies had switched from AA to RAC. Wonder why that is?

 

[Drago]

Kia Stonic - Love those little cars, surprisingly capacious and well equipped.

Kia Colonic. Childish, I know, but its a daft name so a daft response is called for.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Also just on the subject of breakdown, I normally get that included in the insurance for simplicity, I noticed this year all the policies had switched from AA to RAC. Wonder why that is?

I always buy mine separately as I find it much cheaper. Annual cover for my Niro EV (2024MY) for UK, at home, roadside, onward travel etc and out of charge cover, is a little over £8.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I always buy mine separately as I find it much cheaper. Annual cover for my Niro EV (2024MY) for UK, at home, roadside, onward travel etc and out of charge cover, is a little over £8.

A year or a month?

I think my equivalent was around £70-80 per year but I'd have to double check to be sure.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

A year or a month?

I think my equivalent was around £70-80 per year but I'd have to double check to be sure.

A year!

 

[wiggydiggy]

A year!

You what! £8 a year?! Who's that with?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

You what! £8 a year?! Who's that with?

That’s with 2Gether Insurance. I added on accident & vandalism cover for an extra £9 for the year.
And the cover is unlimited call-outs with zero excess too.

I’ve been with them a while, with my old Skoda Fabia but that was dearer at about £21 per annum.

I tried them for my brother’s 4 year old Skoda Enyaq EV and couldn’t get it any lower than £40. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Alex321]

But, because I am the account holder and my wife is the policyholder on the Stonic, we have to cancel the entire policy and start a new one in my wife's name because the account holder and the policyholder cannot be two different people in Hastings world.

I don't think most car insurance providers have the concept of an "account holder" for personal policies.

Regardless of who pays and does the admin, they just have a policyholder, plus any named drivers.

 

[rivers]

I don't think most car insurance providers have the concept of an "account holder" for personal policies.

Regardless of who pays and does the admin, they just have a policyholder, plus any named drivers.

According to them, I am the account holder (their words), and one policy is in my name (the car we are scrapping) and one in my wife's (the car we are keeping). As I want to cancel the policy in my name, it cancels the whole policy. I'm waiting for a call back

 

[fossyant]

I get my AA via the bank. AA, worldwide travel and phone insurance for £20 a month. AA alone was nearer £40 a month.

 

[Bristolian]

I received my insurance renewal offer a couple of days ago at £841 - up nearly £300 from this year. A bit of searching on-line and I can get it for £466 - about £100 less than this years.

Called the current insurer to ask why the huge increase simply to be told it is what it is. Bye Being a member of IAM Roadsmart I thought I'd give their insurer a call - couldn't even match the £841! Not really surprised, they've been useless for years. So, another year another insurer ... again