About a year ago I mentioned that DirectLine's comprehensive cover renewal quote for my VW Bora had dropped from £193 to £176 from the previous year (the first time I had used the company, followed by being the first insurance company in 42 years' personal experience to actually reduce the premium).
Just got the renewal quote for the next 12 months.
£176.40...:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
I'm with DL too and whilst my premiums are considerably more than £176, the increases (if any) have been negligible (>£10) in the last 3-4 years.
And on the one occasion when I did make a claim, I was completely statisfied with the way they handled it and the service provided. Money well spent IMO.
|
TVM family is rapidly divesting itsself of anything to do with Directline.
Late Last year I phoned up to enquire if my the theft of my sons bike was covered under the terms of the household policy, No sir its not they said. Fine ok thanks says i - I wont claim then.
Two months later - Household policy renewal time - 30% increase in premium. I phoned up and asked why so much, because you reported the theft of a bicycle sir. But I didnt claim said I - it wasnt covered. No sire quite right but it was stolen...... Ok well match this internet quote from your web site, sorry sir cant do that.
So goodby direct line to 1 car policy, 1 building insurance, 1 contents insurance, 1 personal accident/injury policy, and 1 pet insurance. Whats that guys? £1000 premiums you have lost?
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
|
Me too just had the buildings and contents insurance renewal through, got a competitive quote from Barclays which was a £100 cheaper. Although interestingly with my recent pet insurance renewal DL did agree to match the on-line quote which beat the renewal they sent !
|
|
|
>>TVM family is rapidly divesting itsself of anything to do with Directline.
Last year when my policy was due with Direct LIne, I was surprised the premium had risen and the cover reduced. Changed to elephant where not only was the premium lower, but the cover was more extensive.
My policy is due in August, so I will have to see who wants my business the most this year. The only claims in over 25 years has been a few windscreens. Most companies should appreciate my custom, but some will try quoting far too high a premium.
More Than will never get my business as they would not insure any car over 6 years old. Even if they change this rule, I doubt if I would change to them as I thought the driver was the most critical part of any policy cover, not the car.
--
Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
|
People's Choice (via Confused.com) beat the renewal quote on the Mondeo, and best alternative quote on the Fiesta by over £100 each this year. Mondeo excess dropped by £100 as well.
DP
|
We are slowly divesting oureslves of Direct Line cover. It used to be 2 cars, pet, annual travel, home contents. In the past they would always be cheapest for us or be flexible and match a cheaper quote.
Not any more! It's a case of there's the quote - take it or leave it!
We are little by little leaving it.
|
Agree on the take it or leave it attitude. I approached them last year and pointed out that they were £70 - £80 overpriced on their renewal cf other major insurers, did they want to match it? The short answer was "no". So I renewed at £70 - £80 less - with Direct Line via the web as a new customer! This year - premium is down £7. BUT...
I've had a minor scrape, sad to say. Roundabout near Manchester airport features a kink to the left followed by one to the right and then straight. I'm in outside lane, BM in inside lane, BM didn't turn his steering wheel as much as he ought and his front offsie caught my rear nearside. On ringing to renew premium "you have a claim outstanding, that may affect the premium". "But I have NCD protection". "Yes, your NCD is protected but your permium may be affected". Doh!? In the event, no change, but when is a NCD protection not a NCD protection?
JH
|
So I renewed at £70 - £80 less - with Direct Line via the web as a new customer!
I thought the big insurance companies all had ways to make sure that one could not do this.
|
We had all our insurance with them at one time. They were great the first year, all right the second and as for the third - well, they seemed to apply some sort of "too lazy to shop around" uplift, so we went elsewhere.
Taking the example of my car insurance, I found a quote (Frizzell, with CSMA member discount) which undercut them by £70. I rang them up and said can you match it, surly call centre bloke said Nope, we can't (won't?), and I said OK, bye then. Shan't trouble them again, if that's how they now are.
|
|
|
|
Yes, your NCD is protected but your permium may be affected". Doh!? In the event, no change, but when is a NCD protection not a NCD protection?
Easy really your premium is 100 pounds - you get a protected NCD of 60% so youpay £40
your risk changes because you have a prang
Your next premium is 200 pounds - you have your protected NCD pf 60% so you pay £80
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
|
I think DL are probably OK so long as you don't have to make a claim. If you are unfortunate to have to claim then don't let them cart your car off to one of their 'repair centres' Hold out to have it repaired at a bodyshop with a good local reputation - or possibly at your local franchised dealer (often a condition of keeping manfrs bodywork warranty valid).
|
More Than will never get my business as they would not insure any car over 6 years old.
I've got my 15 year old MX5 insured with them - no problem. Have had for the last few years (renewing on internet as a new customer each year).
Martin
|
>>(renewing on internet as a new customer each year).>>
I fail to see how that is possible - your details will already be on its database.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
>>(renewing on internet as a new customer each year).>> I fail to see how that is possible - your details will already be on its database.
It's never stopped the web system from quoting and me accepting (for the last 5 years I think).
It's generally 20 quid cheaper and gives me a little amusement when I put their own name in the 'previous insurer' box.
Martin
|
MoreTh>n have just quoted me £896 to insure an 04 plate 1.6 Focus.
You can imagine how I laughed.
I'm nearer 30 than I'd like to be, with 4 years+ no claims, many years driving experience, no convictions and living in a leafy suburb of Lancashire.
No surprises then that DirectLine will be getting my repeat business - their quote was 'more than' half that.
|
>>many years' driving experience>>
...and you are nearer 30 than you would like to be...:-)
I've been on two wheels or four for just over 50 years and I'm still learning something new every day...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
|
I'd sussed that but it's not what they want you to think when they sell you NCD protection!
JH
|
My wife's been with Direct Line for some years. On those occasions when she's needed to make a claim they've been both helpful and efficient. This means as much to her as saving a few quid on the premium. I suppose she really ought to get alternative quotes anyway - a considerable saving might sway her views.
For myself, I have found the various internet companies absolutely useless, as I don't fit into their restricted range of acceptable risks; my job is in broadcasting and they don't want to know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
