AlanHo Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 I have spent the last couple of days on one of my least favourite jobs - sorting out car insurance.Last year I changed from SAGA to Churchill to save about £150 for similar cover and recently recieved my renewal notice. The new premium is 30% more than last year - £483 instead of £374.I first called them to get an explanation and was told that premiums have increased by about 10% - but the main increase is because last year I was given a new policy bonus to which I am no longer entitled. I asked - but they will not let you cancel the policy and let you start all over again.Hence I fired up the computer and tried the various comparison sites to get alternative quotes. I also tried SAGA, RIAS and Direct Line who do not appear on any of the comparison sites - but they were all too expensive despite some claiming to offer low premiums for us old 'uns.I have finished up paying £338 with Auto Direct for similar cover to last year - via Moneysupermarket.com.It was interesting to find that the three comparison sites I tried offered the same menu of insurers and cover - but at different prices. In general, but not always, Moneysupermarket.com were the cheapest and have a well presented site. GoCompare.com and Confused.com tended to be more expensive and I did not find their websites as user friendly.It was also notable that some organisations - like the RAC - act just as agents for insurance and use a variety of underwriters. Conversely, the same insurance company will underwrite a number of policies for a variety of companies (agents) - who then charge different prices for basically the same thing.Another tip - put your spouse on your policy as a second driver. For some reason I am quite unable to fathom this nearly always results in a reduced premium - in my case by £22.It's a total minefield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 I found out, many, many years ago, that the best way seemed to be to find a local insurance broker and deal through him. I have all my insurance through one broker.I started with one, over in the dales area, in the 50s and stayed with that broker until moving over here in 2000. Originally in the 50s it was two partners, then one retired and the other one and his son carried on. The son took over when his father retired and he then sold the company in 1998 when he retired. I found a similar set up over here in Pocklington and I have house and contents, motor car (and until last year motorcycle) insurance with him. I find they are much more concerned about keeping the customers happy than they are about fleecing them.They have an improved facility these days for premium comparisons, due to the advent of their direct internet links to the big insurance companies, and each year they look round for competetive prices. Also they do not spend sqillions of pounds on stuffed dogs and has-been film producers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 Moneysupermarket.com were the cheapest and have a well presented site. GoCompare.com and Confused.com tended to be more expensive and I did not find their websites as user friendly.Don't forget ............... http://www.comparethemarket.com/ :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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