Make Sure You Check

[teacake44]

Many already know to get more quotes when your car insurance comes up for renewal, but you really must do it this year. A few weeks ago I caught a clip of Martin Lewis saying that car insurance companies this year were going to take a hit, and premiums were on there way down, so get more quotes. I thought yes I've heard it all before, I don't normally take much notice of his prolonged gabble, ( that's even if you can keep up with him.

Anyhow my quote for this year came last week, from LV who I've been with now for three years. On average its increased by about £20 each year, when I've compared with others its not been worth changing, this year very different.

My quote for my car this year is £218, exactly the same as last year, that I thought strange, then suddenly remembered what ML had been saying, so went into go compare, the lowest quote is from a company called Dialdirect at £151.00, and with more cover, and believe it or not , I couldn't, includes RAC cover, the latter not much use to me as I already have it in progress. Because I looked into this quote I had a email from dialdirect this morning, and guess who the company belongs to? LV, even if I went with one of the other many quotes that I've had, on average I would pay at least £45 less than the £218 quoted. Hope this helps some, or reminds others its more than worth checking this year.

[brainiac]

Yes, worth doing. My quote last year from LV - whom I'd been with for many years - had gone up yet again, so I spent some time online and got a better, cheaper deal with Churchill.

[bednobs]

this year i also went through topcashback, and got £90 back

[davebro]

They are supposed to be bringing in legislation by which renewals can't be dearer than the prices offered to new customers in similar circumstances. It could end the annual merry-go-round of switching companies every year but it may also mean that prices for new customers/switching customers will rise.

[barry1010]

My car insurance is lower now than it has been for years. Happy days

[barry1010]

davebro, that is something Martin Lewis has been campaigning for and it won't be the first time the Lewis effect has not been beneficial for Joe Public

[teacake44]

12.24 davebro It looks like LV are looking for a way round what you say by having another company in a different name, I've never heard of dialdirect before and tend to be on the safe side with really cheap companies, but didn't know until this morning that its LV, it didn't show that yesterday anywhere when I looked at Dialdirect

[barry1010]

Is DialDirect part of LV? DialDirect has been owned by the BGL group since 1992 (BGL also own Comparethemarket and Budget); LV has no connection to BGL as far as I can tell.

[teacake44]

Barry, when an email came through to me this morning, that I wasn't expecting from dialdirect, it named the insurers as being LV, I can only assume that dialdirect is LV, or dialdirect is an agent for them, but I thought agents were long gone???

[davebro]

I think these firms are mostly brokers - like we had in the high street at one time. They shop around with the REAL insurers/underwriters to get your quote, then take a commission.

Often if you have to make a claim it will then be passed on to a firm of "claims handlers" for resolution. So there are several fingers in the pie!

[davebro]

Moneysupermarket "Who are Dial Direct? ... Dial Direct is a broker that consults a panel of leading UK insurers to offer quality insurance at affordable prices, while providing excellent customer service via its UK contact centre."

[teacake44]

Thanks all for the above info. I've just looked at the email again I had, Its dialdirect premier, I missed the premier out, don't know if that makes any difference. But the insurer is LV

[davebro]

It beggars belief really teacake. By going through a broker you ended up getting better cover with the same insurer for £67 less. After the brokers commission LV probably ended up with about £140 rather that the £218 they wanted to charge you!

[teacake44]

Yep, can't find any reason not to go for it, the very low quote when I first saw it did make me think twice, but going on the other quotes that were available that were also low there must be a crisis in the car insurance business like Martin Lewis said there was. Don't think I will lose any sleep for them :0)))

[Zacs-Master]

Saved £70 a year by swapping from Direct Line to Aviva and with less excess / more legal cover and a hire car guaranteed.

[davebro]

And if you arrange the cover via GoCompare they will repay your excess up to £250 if you have an accident. Just got an email from them confirming I am covered for this.

[barry1010]

Direct Line has included a courtesy car for years with comprehensive insurance. Still the cheapest for me and I've had two refunds for driving less miles than usual.

[davebro]

refund doesn't seem a big deal Barry - 2% per 1000 miles?

[Hopkirk]

Once you get a better quote, ring your existing insurer and see if they will match it.

[barry1010]

Better in my pocket than theirs, dave. They sent it automatically so free money really :)

[teacake44]

There seems to be many cherries being offered at the moment for your car insurance business. With this one I'm going for also includes legal assistance, car hire, in fact all the boxes ticked. What does puzzle me is the RAC cover, obviously the basic roadside, but how much are the insurance companies paying for it? When I renewed my RAC for the car I just have the basic roadside, last year I paid £5 per month, this year its gone up to £7, a bit of a jump all in all, but I still accepted it, a week later the RAC email me to say they have added recovery for free. So again if you do renew your RAC don't buy the recovery, you may get the same offered for free.