General Chat

I realise that I'm probably teaching my Granny to suck eggs but hey ho!

This is a reminder not to accept the renewal quotation that your existing insurer gives you when your car or home insurance is due for renewal. These days there are many comparison websites out there so make sure that you obtain quotations from other insurance companies before you decide who gets your business. It may save you lots of your hard earned cash.

As an example my car insurance is due for renewal on the 5th of March. My current insurer sent me a letter confirming what cover they were offering and how much it was going to cost me, to renew, £239.99. As that was quite a bit more than I paid last year (£180) I meticulously entered all the details of what my existing insurer would be offering into a comparison website and waited to see what came up. I received 59 quotes over half of which were for a lower premium than my existing insurer proposed charging me. I closely scrutinised the fine detail of the cover I was being offered and determined that it was indeed like for like in all respects except the premium being asked for. The lowest price which was from a well known insurer was £165.06.

This morning I rang my existing insurer to advise them that I would not be renewing with them. The lady I was speaking to naturally enquired why and I told her that another company had quoted me £165.06 for providing identical cover. She asked me to hold the line and 2 minutes later she returned saying that her company would not just match that price but would knock a further £1 off the premium, providing cover for £164.06. Result, I saved myself almost £75.

No doubt if I am still driving in 12 months time the performance will have to be repeated but if I manage to save a similar amount then it will be worthwhile.

As you say Jonesey. Its wothwhile looking, I got £100.knocked off mine,Pity you can,t do it with Road Tax. :-D By the way The AA Will barter prices.

I agree with you Jonesey.
I have managed to get substantial reductions in Home Insurance, Electrical/Plumbing cover and car Breakdown service Insurance...... not a lot of hassle either.

I think the insurance companies almost expect you to seek a reduction and they want to keep your custom.
My car insurance is due for renewal in April and so I will go through the same procedure and bet I can get a reduction. Give it a try folks. Better in our pockets than theirs.

My insurance company actually told me to ring up each year when I get my renewal quote!!

That was when I rang up to ask about the huge increase for the third year running. :-0 :-0 :-)

Not just car insurance, we have just saved money on the house insurance by doing the very same thing.

They rely on people being too idle to compare quotes