Car insurance - any recommendations?

[geordiegirl1]

We have just had our car insurance renewel from Zurich and it seems very high. £747.51 for a BMW7. We have only claimed once (not our fault) for an accident and I must admit they were very efficient, but I just wonder is it worth paying so much extra. I have looked on comparison websites and can get a cheaper quote, but I wonder from experience if anyone has any recommendations.

Thanks for any advice.

[mrsmaveric]

try the co-op my car insurance is £130.00 a year cheaper with them...

[jno]

Try DirectLine; they don't show up on internet comparison sites but I found them cheapest. (Only a Peugeot, though.)

[Manwithnoname]

get a less powerful car might be a good idea

[JonnyBoy12]

I have heard that Hill House Hammond are cheapest for insurance. Can anyone here confirm this bold claim. Beware of quotes online; mine for just a N reg Astra varied from £250 to £500 for the same car, and that was on the same comparison site.

Hope this helps.

[sara3]

just check that you're getting like-for-like quotes.

everyone's insurance has rocketed, even mine.. 25 years no claims, it goes up every year.

and everyone will have a different story on who's the best and worst!

[TWR]

Geordie, I run the the said model but a 328i coupe, I've searched quite a few & ended up with M&S, I would recommend you contact Zurich with an ultimatum either lower your premium or you will GO, was the renewal a Quote? if so, this is not the price they will ask but I would still look around, state your annual mileage, if you have a tracker, if it's kept on & behind a gated drive, but do not give out untrue details otherwise they can invalidate your cover.

[Zeuhl]

It's standard practice to attract customers with a competitive quote Y1 then bump it up on the basis that inertia rules for many and they will just stay anyway.

Go to your comparison site, pick the cheapest from a firm you recognise then scrutinise the fine detail eg excess rates to be sure you are comparing like with like.

I've always found Direct Line uncompetitive but due to variables in underwriter preferences insurance premiums can vary wildly car to car, month to month, driver to driver.

[jno]

Zeuhl, not only did I find DirectLine cheapest but it hardly rose at all next year. (More than I can say for their house insurance, though.)

[Zeuhl]

fair enough jno

I wonder if it is down to their underwriters and business strategy.

' we want lots of mid saloon, older driver business' = drop premiums
'we are too exposed with too much house insurance on books' = hike up premiums

[redcrx]

try adrian flux insurance, but also see if zurich will match the cheaper quote that you found.

[jno]

could be, Zeuhl.

"Not enough Geordie Girls on our books, drop the premiums pronto."

[Jillius]

It seems to go up regardless of whether or not you make a claim. We got ours done with the Post Office a few years ago and with the £50 cashback they offered it only cost us £35 fully comp instead of £350 ish that we were quoted from others. However this time they were expensive so we are now with Direct Choice who were the cheapest by far. I just Googled cheap car insurance and found it through that.

[Maydup]

I suggest you try Zurich first too. All employees have authority to offer a discount in order to retain a customer. One of the questions they'll ask you is what's your best quote elsewhere, that will determine how much of a reduction they offer you. Expect to gain between 10% and 20% saving.

Compare that with the quote you have from the comparison site and make your desicion. I used to stick with one insurer but there is no such thing as loyalty now and instead I move for to gain the new customer bonuses each year now. Chosing a reputable company that I've heard of each time. I've been from More Than, to AA, to Co-op, back to More Than for a welcome back bonus (!) and off to another again.

Good luck!

[TTG]

Get quotes and with each company say you have had one that is lower...they should give you another quote that is lower. By the process of elimination you will get a quote that is ok for you. Not being rude but is there any need for such an expensive car both for insurance and maintenance?

[deggers316]

Liverpool and Victoria were my best quotes and took it out with those