chelsea Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 ok, I know this subject is boring ...but just wondered what car insurance anyone has had good/bad experiences with. Im trying to save some money on my existing policy by switching from the same company I have been with for 14 years . I have gone on those "supermarket" thingys which search the best deals, but personal recommendations give me a better idea of what sort of company I will want to take my custom to/or avoid. Any repsonses most welcome. Thanks !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I'm on OH's insurance. I think he is now with Admiral. He was with the same insurer for 10 years (quite a small one I had never heard of) but changed after they messed him around when we moved house - let's just say they were quick enough to take the money from him but extremely reluctant to refund any when we moved to a lower risk area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Hi - I'm with Cornhill Alliance - they have been brilliant & didn't quibblle when I had a little bump! It was soon sorted. Mine is very cheap too, but then again I've got an old classic car. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Sometimes when you receive the renewal quote, it is better to go online. Zurich are cheaper online, buying what appears to be a new policy, but with everything included - than their actual paper renewal quote. I have just saved £40 buying a policy online, with everything protected etc, than going with the paper quote from the postman . Don't ask me HOW they work this out - it is bizarre. We did switch to More than - then moved back to Zurich. For us we found despite claims of we will save you 10%, or beat any quote - in practice this did not happen unless you sacked your no-claims, or roadside assistance. . Have a look online - then barter with your present company, and be ruthless, they do knock the price down eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Churchill.....oooooooh yesssss! I've not had to claim anything yet (touch wood) but the payments are reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 We recently updated our car insurance and looked for it though www.confused.com The postoffice do great deals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I have taken out insurance through the AA most years. It gives the advantage of 'shopping around', though they obviously don't cover the whole market, but you do have the assurance that they only offer policies that they are happy with. Also, if you do make a claim, it goes through the AA, so they will theoretically act on your behalf. However, I think that having a go-between can make things take a bit longer if you do need to make a claim. I'm not going to say anything to upset my superstitious streak, but I can't really comment too much on that last bit! Thanks for reminding me - mine expires on friday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah 2 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I'm with Privilege they're cheap. But again cheaper if you buy online. I tried AA but their quote was 400 pounds more expensive. Churchill is good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Depends how old you are We are with Saga as OH is the required age. He is insured as primary driver for both our cars and I am named driver. Very reasonable, including roadside assistance and protected no claims. They were very helpful when our car was written off last year, and made sure we had a people carrier hire car until we managed to find a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I have taken out insurance through the AA most years. It gives the advantage of 'shopping around', though they obviously don't cover the whole market, but you do have the assurance that they only offer policies that they are happy with. Also, if you do make a claim, it goes through the AA, so they will theoretically act on your behalf. However, I think that having a go-between can make things take a bit longer if you do need to make a claim. I'm not going to say anything to upset my superstitious streak, but I can't really comment too much on that last bit! Thanks for reminding me - mine expires on friday! Isn't that Friday the 13th??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Aaarrgh! Luckily it is a very narrow streak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I renewed recently, I had been with Diamond for years and never had a claim, but they'd started adding on extras like handbag cover and such like which I didn't really feel that I needed so I searched around. Most companies were charging the same or a little more than Diamond, until I stumbled across swiftcover.com and I saved something like £70 in the process Miles cheaper by far than absolutely everyone else. Hubby then approached them and same story. That said I've never had to claim from them, so don't know how happy they'd be to pay up if I were to have a bump, but I'd recommend checking them out Oh, and they use chickens in their adverts, not that that influenced my decision at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 We've both been with Directline for several years now and have never had any problems. On the one occasion that I did have to claim they were very efficient. I would echo an earlier comment though. Each time the renewal arrives I go online and apply as a new customer and it always comes out cheaper! Last year when I rang to cancel my existing policy they said that if I do get it cheaper online then I can ring through and they will 'match' the price with my renewal. I tried it this year and they did indeed match it - and the 0% interest option for installments that was being offered to new customers There is a great article on getting the best deal on MoneySavingExpert at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/compare-cheap-car-insurance It's also useful to note that sites like www.confused.com and www.moneysupermarket.com do not include Directline. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 I've been with Direct Line for years but never had to use them so can't say how good they are really. One thing to look for is their policy on courtesy cars. My daughter and SIL had to have one when their car was in for repair and although their insurance company stated that a courtesy car would be supplied, they neglected to say that it had to be collected They had to get a lift to Birmingham Airport - 35 miles away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 echoing a lot of the posts on here - sites like confused.com make it easy to get lots of quotes, but be aware that they don't cover all insurers, only a selected group. It's always worth going back to your current insurer armed with some quotes, and ask what they can do - also beware of 'add-ons' which you may not want to buy, but find are being included anyway. Most people don't bother to shop around - the quote comes in, and either through apathy or lack of time, they just renew with their current insurer. Accordingly, insurers will put the price up each time, by a small amount - just enough not to scare people off. There was an article recently, I think on BBC website but I can't recall, on how changing your job description can alter the quote. Nothing illegal, I hasten to add - but describing yourself as 'lawyer' instead of 'solicitor' can make a difference of about £40, I can't remember the other examples but there were some. Also, if you've got a good claims record and want to take the risk, ask for a higher excess - it can reduce premiums quite a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 I renewed recently, I had been with Diamond for years and never had a claim, but they'd started adding on extras like handbag cover and such like which I didn't really feel that I needed so I searched around. Most companies were charging the same or a little more than Diamond, until I stumbled across swiftcover.com and I saved something like £70 in the process Miles cheaper by far than absolutely everyone else. Hubby then approached them and same story. Ditto with swiftcover - they are an online insurer - you download your own paperwork etc and for me they are WAYYYYYYY cheaper than all the many others I have tried. When you are ready to get a quote - I'd always recommend Martin Lewis's site - he has tons of straightforward advice - in particular and it would be well worth your while having a squiz at his 4-step advice to cheaper car insurance: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/compare-cheap-car-insurance (warning - you may get sucked into rest of site and lose a whole day!) Good luck! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 I use Shelias Wheels, and they were the cheapest by a country mile for me - even when I added on breakdown cover, the quote was still cheaper by a long way to the next insurance only quote i got. My only quibble with them is the stupid blumming girly roses they use to highlight the idents of the policy book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Good advice as always guys I have used Directline and MoreThan and they are both very good I would NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER use Norwich Union Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Andy uses elephant.co.uk saved him almost £400 on insuring his Supra, so I would imagine they would be quite cheap for other cars, he has got 4+ years no claims...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Last month I renewed Joe's insurance and used the same tricks for getting my insurance costs down. Get your renewal quote, say £350, and call your insurer be all nice to them and just say - "I didn't really want to pay more than £225 this year....no claims....etc... What can you do for me?" Let them try to work the deal. Get your new renewal price and hit somewhere like confused.com and get the best price from there. Go back to your insurer and work the deal again (tell them you got and even cheaper quote elsewhere if it wasn't) then give the "I don't really want to leave as the service has been good, the hassle of changing" and go for the kill - "Can you do anything better". Don't buy it straight away. Tell them you're only doing what anyone else would do to save money and you've narrowed it down to two insurers (them and another) and you're going for the best deal you can get! If it is the best deal ring back later and just ask for anything else off (works believe me!) and then buy it I got Joe's insurance down £150 this year by this tactic. Works very well with Elephant.co.uk!! Just used a similar tactic with the RAC breakdown and they gave me 15 months cover for cost of 12, and they took my renewal quote of £175 down to £129, after we agreed that, I dropped in that they'd forgotten my £25 no call out discount, so it's now £104! Bet that girl was kicking herself............. A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Hmmm - are you available for hire Andrew??? I could do with someone to do all my haggling for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 possibly..... I resigned my job on Tuesday! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 OH is insured with Tesco which is underwritten by Direct Line. We did our own research of every company we could think of and they came out the cheapest, plus we get clubcard points. We used to be with CIS who were also very good, we only switched because Tesco was cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 12, 2007 Author Share Posted July 12, 2007 thanks everyone. Just the response I needed ! I knew I could count on you for good advice! I did get a really good quote with direct line, im going to haggle with my existing insurer (zurich) to get my quote down. Ive been with Zurich since 1993 believe it or not, I've never bothered to change and have never claimed they want over £600 fully comp for my LR freelander this year and direct line with do it for half the price....talk about rip off - I aint paying that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
