Car insurance...

[ummmm]

This might sound like a silly question...

Got my notice that my car insurance is up for renewal next month. Had a scoot round the comparison sites and I can get it for at least £160 cheaper. When I phone current insurance company to inform them will they just ask what company gave me the best quote and do the checks themselves?

Secondly, if I decide to move how far in advance should I inform current company?

[bednobs]

why will they bother to check the quote - you are leaving them?
unless yours is an insurance that automatically renews, you don't need to tell them at all

[jackthehat]

If you want to stay where you are and challenge them to 'match' the best deal you have found.......I'm not sure if they are able to check the price you give them.

I usually just say that I have found a better deal of £xxx, can they match it. If not, I say I won't be renewing.

But make sure there is no 'break' during switchover.....

[boxtops]

No, they won't - it's not their business to do that. You don't have to tell any insurance company why you're leaving them at renewal.

However, if you tell them that you can save over 150 quid by moving, you might well find that they go away for a few minutes, then come back and meet that offer. It's worth trying - insurance companies need not to lose business, and do sometimes discount under these circumstances.

[boxtops]

^^ all you have to do is to tell them you're not renewing - the day before will do. However, you do need them to send you a copy of your No Claims evidence, as you'll need to produce that to the new company.

We change car insurers almost every year, and this has never been a problem.

[ummmm]

Thanks. I wasn't sure how it worked. I will give them a bell on Monday and see if they can match it.

If not, how long before I receive a copy of my no claims?

[sara3]

I've found better prices, but then found I have to pay for extras to match my existing policy; legal cover, courtesy car etc..

[ummmm]

Yes 2short, I have the renewal with the no claims on it...

Sara....Exactly the same cover except excess. That's only £50 different...

[boxtops]

We find that it takes about a week, ummmm - the new insurers will take your word for it but usually need sight of some evidence to be sent through in due course.

[ummmm]

Well hopefully they'll match the price :-)

[craft1948]

I was going to leave my existing one, but when I agreed to increase the excess the price dropped considerably.

[ummmm]

I might give that a go Craft....brb

[Giggsie]

Hi ummmm I phoned up my company and explained that I had searched around and would not be renewing with them. They then asked companies that were cheaper and by how much I ended up with same company at £1 cheaper than than my cheapest quote?????? Why could it not be that to start with never pay a renewal always query.

[ummmm]

I upped the excess by £100 and the quote went down by £5....lol

[craft1948]

lol I upped mine by £50 and the price went down by £64.

[ummmm]

Cheers futritcat....I have the best quote saved :-)

[ummmm]

My renewal is £502. The new quote is £338...

Just went down the list. I could get insured with M&S for £1,159.51. That isn't just any car insurance....