Insuring the Mk VI

[Rolfe]

Some time ago we had a thread on insurance costs, and I remarked that I thought somebody was robbing me blind.  I've been insured through the RAC since about 1993, and just continued the policy when I got the GTi.  They charged me about £60 at the time, for the change of car.

Now my insurance premium is due, and they're wanting over £600 for the privilege.  This seems pricey to me.  I've just run my details through Direct Line's web site and they came up with £340, which is quite a difference.  I'm not convinced I was asked enough questions or given enough information though.  The RAC policy included "business use" (only needed to be able to claim mileage for occasional weekend work and similar), added at no extra cost a year ago.  There may be other advantages to the RAC policy I'm not aware of.

What think you guys?  Any good recommendations?  What should I be paying and what should I be getting for my money?

Female, 56 years old, most recent conviction was over five years ago, most recent claim was over six years ago, and I do about 11,000 miles in a year.  Good postcode (Peeblesshire).

Rolfe.

[Primus84]

As far as I'm aware the DirectLine policies all include business cover as standard.

I've been with DirectLine for a while now, they're pretty good but each year I start again as a "new" customer as you seem to get a better deal!

[percymon]

For starters check the detail of direct line - they didn't used to insure higher performance cars without trackers fitted, and they didn't cover optional extras, so if you wrote the car off they'd only replace in the first year with a standard spec car - not much god if you have £5ks of extras !

I'd try Chris Knott insurance - they beat the online price comparison websites by £30 on my Golf, albeit its a TDI.  Truley excellent service , i had to sort mine out between Xmas and new year when there weren't many places open.

If you log onto vwaudiforum then they have a discount code there too.

[lowdown]

Morethan beat the opposition in my case by "more than" £100.  (similar details £300ish fully comp etc)

[Rolfe]

Thanks for the tips.  I ran on a bit further in the Direct Line site, reduced the excess to its current level and added protected no-claims bonus (which I currently have), and it came up to about £420.  I couldn't find a way to add business travel, but it did say in the pdf document that you had to inform them (via the web site!) if you wanted to add that..  They didn't say anything about a tracker.

I'll try a couple more.  I'll also phone the RAC because they may come up with a better quote if I hassle them.

Rolfe.

[lowdown]

Also, worth mentioning the online quote was much cheaper than over the phone.  But it was possible to settle online quotes over the phone just in case if you don't like online payement etc.

[Snoopy]

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/compare-cheap-car-insurance

Worth reading what he has to say.

[FamilyDub]

I've just run my details through Direct Line's web site and they came up with £340, which is quite a difference.

Female, 56 years old, most recent conviction was over five years ago, most recent claim was over six years ago, and I do about 11,000 miles in a year.  Good postcode (Peeblesshire).

Cheapest quote I got at renewal time was elephant at £625.

Male, 27 years old, most recent conviction was <1 year ago, most recent claim was over five years ago (only 2 yrs NCB, though) and I do about 10,000 miles in a year.  Bad postcode (Coatbridge).

Partner, female, 34 years old on it too... probably helped. 

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/compare-cheap-car-insurance

^^^ He's right, these sites do work for some of us. Have you tried a more specialist insurer like Adrian Flux, or one of those 'women only' companies? AXA over-50's even...?

Just especially beware of comfused.com, because some companies they work with credit check you on just an enquiry.

[p3asa]

Rolfe have you tried the usual gocompare, confused, and comparethemarket?

While not a definitive collection they will give you a good idea of what you should be paying.

I ended up not going for the GTI but I did a few insurance quotes at the time. It may help you with a comparison.

I'm male 41 and good postcode area.
No points and no claims.
£240 fully comp with business included with an excess of £250.

It was much dearer with me on my own but as soon as I added my wife it came down to that. Not sure if you have a partner but you could try adding a friend to see if it reduces the cost.

The good thing about the comparison websites is it lets you try loads of different options at your leisure.

[boardlord]

    Just about to renew ours, best quote is AVIVA £150x Fully comp, full NCD, 32 and partner 36. Make sure when you get your best quote you go through a site like Quidco or Topcashback.

    We paid £237 and got £40 back through quidco, absolute bargain. . . . . . .

Ben