Good car insurance.. is it possible?

[noonespecial]

So, with only seven days to go..YEA! till I pick up my SLK I've been trolling the net for a good quote..

and they range from £500 -£1200!!!

Best quote so far has been elephant.. but on looking at reviews they seem very poor, part of the Admiral group, who I've had before and were terrible when someone rear-ended me!

I'm not adversed to paying good money rather than going 'cheapie' but since reading lots more reviews seems EVERY insurer is the same, poor customer service, long delays, terrible payouts (once you get them!) no loan car when they say 'free loan car' etc etc...

I know bad reviews on the net are somewhat subjective, after all, people don't generally both to write good things, only when things go bad..

I think i've just about done EVERY comparison site AND more...

All I want is good service at a good price..

Any suggestions from people who've had to make a claim and had a 'good' experience?

Thanks!

 

[Ian L]

Over the past years I have had to make 2 claims on (separate) policies issued by Norwich Union Home and Drivers Club. Both were handled very well by NU. The first claim my son wrote off the car and the second the car was vandalised. Absolutely no problems encountered either time. In the most recent claim I did not even have to fill out a claims form, just spoke to a claims agent based, I think, in Leeds.

 

[noonespecial]

hmm you do get what you pay for.. most expensive quote so far £1345!

you would have thought with 17 years driving and 9 year NCB I'd get a little better... hmm... at this rate elephants poor service for £500 (with proteced NCD) seems a better deal..

I hate this game!



Well, I got a couple of weeks to sort it out.. (taking full advantage of the 'free' 7 days MB insurance.. )

 

[glojo]

I much prefer the 'Good value for money' type question,
I am NOT advocating anyone takes out the dearest policy, but I am suggesting that we get a decent package that gives peace of mind. All my family use Direct-line, it might not be the cheapest but we have made several claims and all went through quickly and smoothly, none were our fault and we have always had a quick settlement and our NCB has remained in tact.

If we are unlucky enough to be involved in an incident then the last thing we want is the extra hassle of an insurance company that is more interested in taking away our no claims bonus as opposed to settling the claim in a fair and just manner.

If we want cheap, then how about Third Party only

Hindsight is a frustrating talent that will always bite at the worse possible moment, never willingly put yourself in the position of....... 'If only'

Your doing the right thing by asking, but I would ask for recommendations and not necessarily the cheapest.

Regards
John

 

[jadefox]

I used Bell for years before they started to put my premiums up but that was after 4 years of perfectly good service. I had one small claim and they sorted it out with no problems. Till I changed over they had been by far the cheapest I could find.

I think though that they are better on younger drivers (under 40) but it might be worth just getting them to quote whatever age you are.

I just went myself with MoreThan and they are charging me £507 for my merc - it's a C270 54 plate.

 

[Mr E]

Mrs E has used Tesco for a number of years - have proved excellent when handling the claim after being rear-ended. Good service on repairing the car, and a very-well handled injury claim too.

 

[Benzowner]

Might be worth having a look at gocompare.com or some simillar site. They usually ask what you want, as regards cover, excess etc etc and come up with various quotes. The other site is confused.com, both advertise on the telly, may give you something to look at.

 

[Rory]

Try Liverpool Victoria http://www.lv.com/insurance/car_insurance or even their Frizzell arm http://www.frizzell.co.uk if you qualify (a wide range of people can join the CSMA (Civil Service Motoring Association)).

 

[124fan]

I got a quote of 550GBP with Allianz before I purchased our E320, the renewal came in just lately for 690GBP, rang and it couldn't be reduced!

I got the same cover with NU for 435GBP, I'm happy! Mind you I got some silly quotes in between

Cheers

 

[grober]

Who ever you go for the standard advice is to change/threaten to change insurer every year to get the best premium rate. My preference is to go for a company with a British based customer call centre such as Liverpool Victoria.

 

[machasm]

Try privilege through quidco.
Good premium for me (£479 on C32 AMG, protected NCD and legal protection as well as £350 policy excess) and you get £60 cashback if you do it through quidco.
Mac.

 

[noonespecial]

thanks for all the good advice folks... LV wanted £1000+ and quite a few wouldn't insure without a tracker fitted, something I'd consider, but once again there are many on the market.. so there is another 'whats good whats bad' and I'd like to get one that would warrant the £450 install and £150 subs

I'll do another round tomorrow and then bite the bullet!



thanks again

 

[crockers]

Just got my renewal - from my broker - £309 with NU....Ok so he's the husband of my goddaughter --- lol so perhaps I'm getting a discount - but I'm happy..

Where is your car being kept - that makes a massive difference on your quotes

 

[verytalldave]

Been with More Than now for many years. Every year I check quotes elsewhere and every year end up renewing.
Made a few claims as well and has ALWAYS been handled well and with no fuss.

I pay around £400 fully comp for my 2004 C200K.
I know quotes vary wildly according to regional variations and other factors, but that may help.

I would recommend them completely.

 

[pammy]

Try Adrian Flux can get some very good deals with really good companies. I got mine for £325 with Norwich Union using Adrian Flux.

 

[raymont]

A few years ago insured through the MB insurance scheme which used NU as underwriter. Had a couple of claims which were handled competently enough.

I've seen a survey, can't remember where, in such RSA come out on top with excellent service.

Currently insured with NFU. Competitve quote and have heard good reports of claims handling from another forum.

Agree with earlier comments, cheapest isn't necessarily the best. VFM (value for money) is what counts.

 

[salesac1]

What about trying the brokers who were offering a discount for MBClub members and were meant to be very competitive? Here's the thread:
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42439&highlight=insurance+discount+club

Haven't tried them myself mind you.

 

[noonespecial]

to answer crockers.. the location IS the issue, and of course a quandary..

I work away most of the week, in 'leafy cambridge' ahhh.. and that were the car will be parked most of the time, during the day it will be parked on a secure compound with cctv and 24hr security!

and a night it will be parked in a garage! (as long as it fits, not checked, but its not for the long term)

then on fri, sat, sun (best nights of the week) it will be in SE lon..

Now, i know SE lon has a 'reputation' but I parked my porsche here for YEARS and its was fine.. then I parked it in Guildford and some nice people broke in and did £3000 worth of damage!

While in london it will be parked outside my flat on private parking, but there is no cctv or security, I have enquired about a garage, £1000 a year.. doable and peace of mind.. I'd need to re-do the quotes to see if its worth it..and I don't know if any are available..



so, thats where the loading comes in, shame cos most of the time it won't be there.. and i prob won't be there THAT often, cos I'll DRIVING it and off seeing people..

But to be straight down the line and honest I must register at my 'home' address..

I've been in contact with Harrington Adams Insurance Associates, spoke to a really nice helpful guy, who called me back, left a message and said he was still searching for a good quote. I'd quite like to use them as it seems like good customer service from the off..

I've got two weeks to make up my mind..

Ahh they joys of owning a nice car... all part of the fun... I knew it wouldn't be 'cheap' thats fine, but I just want to make sure I get what I pay for.. quality insurance for a quality car...(and quality driver! )

thanks again... I'll keep you posted