graham97 Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Like everyone else, I was looking for the best possible qoute.Having read some of the posts I decided to go for one of the most competitive companies mentioned on these boards.Due to a number of errors on their part I found out yesterday that I had been driving arround without cover for ten days. They sent me a letter saying my cover had ended six days after the event, and in the meantimetaking nearly £300 from my account, about 5 days after the cover ended.So for two months cover it has cost me £400 and they say I cant reinstate the policy, I have to take out a new one even though it was their error.They then said that as it was their fault, I would have been covered in the event of a claim, but I am not actually covered, but they would have paid out..now call me cynical but....Good job I checked the mail yesterday.My point is this. While we all tend to try to save money on insurance, the acid test comes when something goes wrong, then that cheap insurance doesn't seem so cheap after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oversteer Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Like everyone else, I was looking for the best possible qoute.Having read some of the posts I decided to go for one of the most competitive companies mentioned on these boards.←OK, so tell us who it was!T esco ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Java John Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Name and shame, but in a polite way. There's no harm in saying who the insurance compnay is, otherwise this thread won't really help anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeone Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Yeh I would also like to know it is so that I do not make the same mistake and choose that company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Don't know who Graham97 is referring to but in my search for insurance have noticed that nearly all companies classify factory fitted options as modifications, and load the policy heavily - 15-20% of the non-discounted rate - my quote with Elephant went from £648 to £980, due to my options - 19" wheels and SatNav particularly, more surprisingly they classified litronics as 'cosmetic lighting changes' which are also loaded!! This sort of thing in addition to the issue about where you would get a repair done on a new car makes me agree that 'cheap' insurance may do exactly what it says on the tin and absolutely nothing more!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popolou Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Don't know who Graham97 is referring to but in my search for insurance have noticed that nearly all companies classify factory fitted options as modifications, and load the policy heavily - 15-20% of the non-discounted rate - my quote with Elephant went from £648 to £980, due to my options - 19" wheels and SatNav particularly, more surprisingly they classified litronics as 'cosmetic lighting changes' which are also loaded!! This sort of thing in addition to the issue about where you would get a repair done on a new car makes me agree that 'cheap' insurance may do exactly what it says on the tin and absolutely nothing more!!←Regarding Elephant, i just learned yesterday that very few firms accept their 10 month accelerator as a full years worth of NCB and so disregard it entirely. Sure, it reduces the premium, but apparently you wont get a competitive renewal quote subsequently.RegardsPopolou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dainesegirl Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Regarding Elephant, i just learned yesterday that very few firms accept their 10 month accelerator as a full years worth of NCB and so disregard it entirely. Sure, it reduces the premium, but apparently you wont get a competitive renewal quote subsequently.RegardsPopolou← Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham97 Posted June 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 At the moment I'm not going to name names, as my point was more of a general one about so called cheap deals.This doesnt mean to say that expensive insurance companies would fare better.But some are definately better than others.In hindsight I would have been better staying with Direct Line, even though their qoute was £600 higher and they wanted a tracker fitted.I was also put on hold for 45 minutes to register with the complaints dept, and gave up in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickster Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Quote: "What is a 10 month accelerator?"Special pedal for cars with very slow 0-60 times? Tee hee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-Aim Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 What is a 10 month accelerator? ←your initial premium is for 10 months after which you are due for renewal and they will give you a full year's NCD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Araf Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 I'm with Tesco.You do get what you pay for. Tesco insurance is run by UK Insurance, who also run the Suzuki insurance. My daughter had an accident in her 4 month old Suzuki, which was written off. It took the company over two months to sort out and send a cheque for the car (Early July - Late September).My wife is with NIG.It's about 10% dearer than quotes from Tesco. Her car was stolen from our drive a few years ago (recovered 4 hours later, but a write off), we received settlement (£1200 more than we paid for the car) in a day under 2 weeks. More impressive is the fact that Easter was within that two week period.Araf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popolou Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 What is a 10 month accelerator? ←your initial premium is for 10 months after which you are due for renewal and they will give you a full year's NCD←Yep, thats right. Its supposedly a quick fire method of racking up your NCB. Problem is, not many others accept it if moving on.RegardsPopolou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyspin Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 A lot of folk on this board now seem to be with First Alternative, so it will be interesting to see now they react to a claim.........although, hopefully no-one will make a claim so that the rates for this model of car stay low Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeone Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 A lot of folk on this board now seem to be with First Alternative, so it will be interesting to see now they react to a claim.....Not got a Boxster as yet but the above ins co are the most competitive ive been quoted so I would like to know who backs them and how they handle claims, so if anyone has info please do tell.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickiegibbo Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 A lot of folk on this board now seem to be with First Alternative, so it will be interesting to see now they react to a claim.....Not got a Boxster as yet but the above ins co are the most competitive ive been quoted so I would like to know who backs them and how they handle claims, so if anyone has info please do tell....←All direct insurers offer poor service in the event of a claim. Even NU Direct which my wifes car is insured with. (following a wall jumping out in front of her??) If you want decent service, Direct Line and Churchills are probably the best of a bad bunch. At least they speak to you in English and are in the UK. Not India.I would recommend you go to an insurance broker like the AA. If you use a broker you will get good service from them and they will sort your claim out for you properly. But you will have to pay 10-15% more for the priviledge. In addition, regarding options if you use a broker they are more likely not to charge you extra. From my experience of having 18" wheels on my car, all direct insurers load it where as brokers dont. I insure my BoXa with Peart (www.peart.co.uk) who have a Porsche scheme with Royal and Sun Alliance. They were the same price as First Alternative and did not load my extras. Mine is due 24th June and cant find anyone to beat them. Service is good and they understand what you are on about too. You pay your money and take your chance. Gibbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil.c Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 First Alternative backed by Halifax Bank of Scotland, same as eSure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Just changed my insurance to the Boxster S which I collect on saturday and Tesco insist on a tracker! Luckily the Boxster S has one fitted but it will cost to have it activated the insurers offer nothing! Yet they want them. There is no sticker so no deterent! I'll change insurer when I renew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Araf Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 A lot of folk on this board now seem to be with First Alternative, so it will be interesting to see now they react to a claim.....Not got a Boxster as yet but the above ins co are the most competitive ive been quoted so I would like to know who backs them and how they handle claims, so if anyone has info please do tell....←I insure my BoXa with Peart (www.peart.co.uk) who have a Porsche scheme with Royal and Sun Alliance←I was with them about 15 years ago on my Alpina. Never claimed, so I can't tell you about that side of their business, but they were always very cheerful when they were taking my money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizwen Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 I get a wicked discount from Natwest, they are aleast £400-£1000 cheaper than anyone else. E-sure wouldn't insure me... To young! (29 at the time...)Tesco where £1300...Natwest? £850 no contest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friggertool Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Worst insurance experience I had was when my BMW got nicked. I had to wait 9 months for them to pay up. Can't remember who it was now (it was 1992), but I was rather naive about insurance costs at the time and was actually with one of the most expensive companies going. Since then I've always gone for the cheapest I could find, and any claims I've had since then have been dealt with satisfactorily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupaFil Posted June 22, 2005 Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 I'm with Tesco.You do get what you pay for. snip...Araf←Which is absolutely nothing - unless you make a claim. I always go for the cheapest policy and I don't protect my no claims. I've been driving for 15 years with no claims so I figure I may have saved thousands of pounds over 'high street' insurers. For this I'm willing to put up with an enormous amount of hassle should I make a claim knowing that I have saved a small fortune over the years.You pays yer money you takes yer choice. When it comes to car insurance I'm always going to go with who offers me the right cover at the lowest price.Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Posted June 22, 2005 Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 I don't shop around every year but when the price jumps so do I, however, when I got in touch with Tesco for change of vehicle they insisted on a tracker. as there was one fitted on the Boxster and I am changing part way through I decided not to move until the end of the policy expecting them to allow a set time to when the tracker must be operating. No they insist it's not covered for theft or attempted theft until they have recieved proof. My son just changed to Direct line from Tesco, saved money, no tracker needed( Tesco wanted one ), they didn't even need proof of an imobiliser, on a 968 and his cover seems better.Make your choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupaFil Posted June 23, 2005 Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 My son just changed to Direct line from Tesco, saved money, no tracker needed( Tesco wanted one ), they didn't even need proof of an imobiliser, on a 968 and his cover seems better.←I had a TVR Tuscan (no tracker) insured with Tesco. When I swapped to the Boxster they also said they couldn't cover me for theft until I had a tracker fitted. I cancelled the policy, got a pro rata refund, and then insured with First Alternative for a lot less than Tesco were quoting anyhow.I think Trackers are a jip. You pay several hundred quid to get it fitted, then £100+ a year for it, if your lucky you get 5% discount off your insurance. If your really unlucky, your car gets nicked, and you get it back because of the tracker, complete with an engine thrashed from cold Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mun802 Posted June 23, 2005 Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 Exactly, well said. Incidentally I've been with Tesco for the past 2 years with my X5, M3 CAB and then Boxster S and now having just received the renewal premium it's £150 dearer Than First Alternative, so mucgh for customer loyalty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munki Posted June 23, 2005 Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 I've never really understood the point of a tracker. Seems like a nice little scam for the insurers benefit - you pay hundreds of pounds a year so your insurance company gets to save having to pay out. In return for your generosity, at best you get your car violated by a scumbag or, worse, you get to have it repaired after it's been used in a ram-raid. Doesn't sound like a good deal to me.Plus any discount you get for having a tracker fitted is generally far less than the cost of fitting/running one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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