Insurance nonsense

[drewf]

We have a multicar policy with Admiral, and having just swapped a couple of cars on the policy, they mentioned that would of course change the renewal quotation, due in a couple of weeks.

No problem, says I, no doubt it will have come down. Yep, but only from the inflated renewal quote they had pre-prepared, ready to shaft me.
The full extent of this only became apparent after they had broken down the quote into the five separate cars on the policy, and left me to go look for alternative quotes. Well, they didn't actually say they wanted me to do that, as it rapidly became clear that they were not just intending to shaft me, but to do so royally, and then again for good measure.

Using a comparison website, I put the details in, one by one. In all cases, Admiral single car policies were pretty competitive, although not always the very cheapest. That's not the problem though - the issue is that the quotes for individual cars were, in all cases, substantially cheaper. In two cases, they were 50% of the renewal quote. The closest quote was 23% cheaper than the multicar renewal.

So... tell me again... How does the multicar insurance work, with the 'we give you additional discount for each vehicle' line? They do, but it appears to be a negative discount come renewal time. Rather splendidly, their computer has noticed I've had new quotes for vehicles they already have on their database, and a phone call followed, apologising for the 'incorrect renewal quote'. That's £1100 more on the multicar policy, over separate policies all with the exact same company, same T&Cs, all absolutely identical.

Yeah, right...

 

[Grinzzz]

Even worse...if you cancel your existing policy and take out a new multi-car each car will be similarly priced to those you see on the comparison websites! Really gets my goat that.

However having been through renewal this year I thought they'd improved. I mentioned I'd seen admiral quote cheaper (by £600 on one car alone) and they just used that quote without having to go through new policy again! Result....although from your experience it sounds like it may be a fluke.

Have you tried giving them the reference numbers from the comparison sites? That worked for me this year.

 

[drewf]

I don't even have to ask them - they phoned today to tell me they would revise the renewal to match the prices they had offered on the websites. I was lost for words...

 

[Catalan3200]

Similar experience with Direct Line when switching my insurance from Merc to Maser. While I was on hold the recorded voice suggested I get a quote online.

When I got through to do the switch, I was quoted an additional premium which equated to about £750. Told them I was quoted £240 on line and they suggested I cancel the Merc policy and start a new one. They were very helpful but was ****** that their first instinct was to shaft me.

Hey Ho. Got the cheaper price and a refund for the unused Merc policy. And they waived the cancellation fee.

Result.

 

[2b1ask1]

It is a stupid situation but it is the same for all types of policy, house, animal or mobile phone etc. They are doing it to con anyone who is lazy enough to simply renew... Answer is NEVER renew always phone or comparison around simples!

 

[allandwf]

I got my Admiral multi renewal in was vastly inflated, basically was told to check comparison sites, and if any of their sister companies were cheaper they would match it. Turned out Elephant were about 30% cheaper, they matched it. Why they cant offer that price 1st really p***** me off! so this year binned them.

 

[2b1ask1]

Personally I've never gone for a multi-car policy as it is an 'eggs in one basket' situation, don't give them that much control over you...

Also we are insuring old bu99ers in a van, old bu99ers in a supercar, old bu99ers in a group 1 insurance car as well as a 17 year old so no one company specialises in all those vehicles.

 

[Parisien]

........well...its dog eat dog out there....anyone remotely stupid to not check each annual renewal from everyone deserves.....shot....in the nicest possible way.....loyalty is a four letter word, has been for the last decade......


Dick Turpin roams the electronic highways, ready to rob you blind!





P

 

[Klive]

For the past 3 years Admiral have quoted me less than they charged the previous year. I've compared them with others and they continue to be cheaper. Maybe their policy has change and there's a surprise waiting for me next time.

 

[allandwf]

Mannings for the Maserati, 1st central this year for the rest.

 

[Parisien]

.....1st central aint got very high customer satisfaction levels.......ie.......nightmare to deal with.......had been with them myself......


P

 

[Grinzzz]

Admiral works out really well for me, especially now they've stopped messing around at renewal. When we add all the cars together we cant get anywhere near their price anywhere else. Works really well with the kids getting their own no-claims too, and even when we swap primary driver to be one of them it's not too much more expensive.

 

[dunnah01]

I always end up going for the cheapest quote since all the companies seem like scammers to me. They all rely on people simply renewing rather than shopping around. Every renewal quote has been about 50% more than the previous years premium which is my prompt to start shopping around.
Interesting that 2 years ago I was in a hurry and couldn't get a quote through a phone broker for less than £1k so paid that - until 2 weeks later when I went direct to the same insurance company online for £580. Needless to say I don't bother with phone brokers anymore.
Last year I got it down to £480 online
This year I've just renewed at £270 online.
All policies offer similar levels of cover and 9+ yrs NCD with seemingly reputable companies and I'm happy to gamble with the customer service levels.
It makes a nice change for the price of something to come down every year?

Oh, and I also get a Meerkat toy - simples..

 

[roger102]

I'll be interested to see what they do to me and my fleet this year. Watch this space, I believe it's in the next couple of weeks.

For the past 3 years Admiral have quoted me less than they charged the previous year. I've compared them with others and they continue to be cheaper. Maybe their policy has change and there's a surprise waiting for me next time.

 

[CatmanV2]

Admiral works out really well for me, especially now they've stopped messing around at renewal. When we add all the cars together we cant get anywhere near their price anywhere else. Works really well with the kids getting their own no-claims too, and even when we swap primary driver to be one of them it's not too much more expensive.

Had them for the 147 and the GT. Renewal was insane, and they refused to match, so went to two separate policies with e-sure and quote me happy. Renewal this time, multicar is effectively a two for one with the Maser, compared to the best quotes on comparison sites.

We shall see what comes at renewal next year.

C

 

[drewf]

Have told them I expect to have the single policy prices, plus the promised multicar discount, or the business goes elsewhere. Will let you know how it progresses.

 

[Parisien]

The consensus seems to be insurance companies = Dick Turpin on a bus mans holiday.......phishing scammers.....talk about mis-selling a product ........some policies and options so hard to truly comprehend you'd need to be a an actuary!!

P

 

[Felonious Crud]

Against (what I thought was my) my better judgement this year I took out a small additional policy to cover my £700 excess. Thank God I did! Saved me about £680.

The test of any insurance policy is how well they behave when you need them. APlan / Aviva shaping up pretty well so far.

 

[bigbob]

A quick check on the net is worthwhile every year. A lot of insurers won't touch Maserati mind and you might only find that out at the end of the quote.

 

[Parisien]

Good to hear Adam......so many poor experiences out there

P