Insurance rip off moving house

[Yusee]

Yes, I think if something like 9 or 10 years, I would protect- as I did for many years. Beyond that, I do get the feeling it's a tactic to increase premiums- by nearly 10 percent at times. As you point out, they still take into account claims history when setting premiums even when NCD is protected, which to me would suggest that it isn't in fact a "protected no claims discount".

I think the discount will still be protected after you’ve had a claim, and the premium calculation algorithms will still apply the maximum no claims discount within the premium calculation. However................there’s very likely a separate risk factor within the calculation for number of claims in the expiring period of cover, and if you’ve had a claim, then that risk factor will apply a loading to the premium.

So technically, you’ve retained your full no claims discount but insurers will have other ways and means of increasing your premium!

That was exactly my feeling. It is misrepresentation in my view. Someone should complain!

[Lordie]

Sorry if this has already been said but there's too many replies for me to read though

If you really want to try and get the best deal you need to try all the options. You need to try the at least the top 3 comparison sites and then try a handful of ones that aren't available on comparison sites (like direct line etc), but I've always found them to be more expensive usually. You can switch the voluntary excess on comparisons sites easily and this can vary the prices a little too. For example, when I took out my last insurance my price was strangely a couple of quid cheaper if I put £0 voluntary excess.

If you are happy/had good past experiences with your insurance company and want to stick with them, then find the cheapest quote and then contact them. You current company will more than likely price match or bring the price down as close as possible. They will want you to stay obviously.

The best time to search for new quotes is around 25 days before your insurance is due to renew as this is when prices are likely to be a little lower. As you get very close to your renewal date/the date you want to change insurance they bump up the prices a little.

Sometimes adding other named drivers to your insurance brings the price down a little but I know this is more common for younger/new drivers adding parents on etc. Still worth a try maybe.

Hope this helps

[fredgroves]

My tip when using the comparison sites is that you need to follow the link to each quote on the insurers websites because very often you find the amazing price they are offering is not using the quote parameters you gave the comparison site. I'd like to imagine that this is purely some kind of software bug but I suspect it's not and its some fiddle, maybe paid for fiddle.

[SRGTD]

Just to add, it’s human nature to find the cheapest price for car insurance. It’s not always the best option to go for the cheapest though; quality of the claims service is an important factor IMO should the worst happen.

Many years ago, I was the innocent victim of being rear-ended while I was taking my car to the garage for it to be serviced. Exchanged insurance details with the other driver (they were insured with some obscure Lloyd’s of London syndicate). Contacted my insurer, and got the garage to provide them with an estimate, which the insurance company approved and repairs were authorised. My car was repaired and ready for me to collect a week later. IMO that was pretty good service - both by the insurer and the repairing garage.

I had to recover my excess from the other party so my NCD could be reinstated, and had some issues doing this so resorted to using AA legal services (I didn’t have the legal expenses optional cover under my motor policy, but was a member of the AA at the time). I received a cheque for the amount of my excess from the other party for the amount of my excess, and I subsequently discovered they were still waiting for authorisation to get their car repaired - from memory, this was 5-6 weeks after the accident!

Apologies for the long-winded story, but the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ also applies to some extent to car insurance. I still shop around each year to see how my current insurer’s renewal invitation premium compares to other insurers’ prices, but I wouldn’t necessarily switch to the insurer quoting the cheapest premium.

[fredgroves]

I'd agree not every insurer is equal but equally there is no guarantee that one with a higher premium is any better at swiftly and easily handling claims...Unfortunately.

[Watts]

I'd agree not every insurer is equal but equally there is no guarantee that one with a higher premium is any better at swiftly and easily handling claims...Unfortunately.

This is partly why I left DL, my accident in Jan 2017 has never been resolved and each time I contacted them (given up now) they were either doing very little or nothing. Never had any correspondence from them or update without my contacting them. Got the impression they weren't all that interested. However in fairness, the second accident I had in the same year (neither was my fault I hasten to add) was sorted quickly without any fuss.