Car insurance; who's best and who to avoid?

[Nigel-YZ1]

I used to be a Direct Line loyalist, then discovered it was the same company as Churchill. Had fun for a while getting one to beat the others quote.
All done on comparison websites now, then quick Google for reviews.

I'll never use Aviva as they took 1.5 years to pay out after I was reversed into by one of their clients while sat stationary in a car park with the handbrake on in a queue.

Got an ace collection of meerkats now

 

[Doseone]

Best is subjective, but from what I know it seems to be NFU. Certainly not the cheapest though.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Liverpool Victoria, for the Octavai & 'Chin-Chin' (the Panda)

When I had Land Rovers, NFU Mutual was the best coverage

 

[marknotgeorge]

I chose Swiftcover partly based on the good experience I had as a third party. Well, that and the competitive quote and ease of dealing with them online (I hate phoning people). I've not had a real claim, but I've used the windscreen cover and breakdown cover without complaints.

 

[marknotgeorge]

So Swiftcover have this morning sent me a renewal quote. £9 a month increase. Geraniums.

It's not so much the grief of having to search around for new cover, but the cashflow. The last couple of years, I've not had a car insurance DD come out after May's payday. This year I'm going to have double. It's just another kick in the teeth when at a low ebb.

 

[BrumJim]

Avoid Churchill due to dodgy eithics (here). However, on the other hand, they quite understandably hadn't realised that her parents would need to fund care whilst the appeal was being sorted (who would? ), so generously offered a stage payment when they twigged / realised that they had been generating vast quantities of negative press.

Also fiddling complaints files.

 

[Vidor06]

I've got 2 cars insured with Direct Line for a combined total of about £400. The level of cover is exactly as I need and so far they havent tried to rip me off on renewal. I also got annual travel insurance included with the first policy I took out with them. My wife has been driving for 20 years and I have been driving for 15. Until October I had only ever accrued 1 years NCB as I had always been insured on Mrs Vidor's policy.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Best is subjective, but from what I know it seems to be NFU. Certainly not the cheapest though.

Vote here for NFU Mutual.
Agree, possibly not the cheapest, but I get to call the office in Exeter, talk to a real human being not a call centre process-bot and get very good service. Always flexible.

 

[Profpointy]

I've been with Admiral for a few years. It was relatively competitive (for my situation, age, vehicle) when I dropped out of conpany car scheme and price dropped each each year as I built up NCD. I've not shopped round subsequently as they've not taken the piss by whacking the price up. So long as it bumbles along in similar vein, not point changing. Not had to claim, but my car's not worth a great deal so not a big risk. Some odd things - fully comp cheaper than 3rd party. Also need to diligently decline the various extras they try and push - car hire following accident and so on or accidently injury cover etc.

Main thing for me is they've not (yet) tried the renewal time piss take.

 

[swee'pea99]

So Swiftcover have this morning sent me a renewal quote. £9 a month increase. Geraniums.

It's not so much the grief of having to search around for new cover, but the cashflow. The last couple of years, I've not had a car insurance DD come out after May's payday. This year I'm going to have double. It's just another kick in the teeth when at a low ebb.

That's what they do. There's no grief in doing an online search - the comparison sites make it very easy...doesn't take more than five minutes. Then if nothing else you can ring Swiftcover and say you want your proof of no claims - you'll be amazed how quickly they knock off your increase...

 

[marknotgeorge]

That's what they do. There's no grief in doing an online search - the comparison sites make it very easy...doesn't take more than five minutes. Then if nothing else you can ring Swiftcover and say you want your proof of no claims - you'll be amazed how quickly they knock off your increase...

Funnily enough, I checked my bank's insurance site for a quote before calling them up to cancel, and got a better deal out of Swiftcover. Still a little more than last year, but I'm doing more mileage than I thought I was.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I had to reinsure my car (BMW 5 series) a few weeks ago as my current insurer (Royal Sun Alliance) who I'd been with for a number of years and got a very good deal with has got out of the motor insurance market.

The best deal overall was Sheila's Wheels, which is part of the esure group. Even LV couldn't match the level of cover (which had to include business use) and the cost.

Rebranded as hip and trendy MORE TH>N surely?