Motoring Discussion > INSURANCE Tax / Insurance / Warranties
Thread Author: Zero Replies: 158

 INSURANCE - Zero
Jusus Mary donkeys et all

Just had my renewal through, 31% increase in premium. No policy changes or changes in circumstances.
 INSURANCE - Runfer D'Hills
Trouble is, modern buses are so much more expensive to repair…
 INSURANCE - Zero
At least my road tax dropped from 500 a year to 180!
 INSURANCE - smokie
My home insurance is due 1 Nov. Direct Line renewal went from £207 to £271. Got it from Tesco now, £210 PLUS £34 back from Quidco for slightly better cover.

I think I reported at the time about my AA car ins going up dramatically. That also ended up with Tesco, albeit a it higher than last year but nowhere near as much more as the AA.
 INSURANCE - bathtub tom
>> Just had my renewal through, 31% increase in premium. No policy changes or changes in
>> circumstances.

Think yourself lucky, mine went up 80% (from £140 to £240). Only change is car and I are both a year older!
 INSURANCE - RichardW
Car is not due till Feb, but we did our house insurance renewal this month from LV (who the cars are with) and it had gone up almost 100% and they wanted over £900. Er, no! TBH it was high last year, but inertia got the better of me and I never changed it last year when it was already expensive!

Hoping that the cars, which are on a multi-car policy, don't follow suit next year....
 INSURANCE - Bobby
Wondering if the insurance rises will finally persuade my 91 year old dad to give up driving.
Will be 92 at his renewal in January.
Think he was about £900 for this years premium for his automatic Nissan Note.
 INSURANCE - riddler
My renewal went up from £485 to £815 with the AA. Cheapest I've managed to find with the same excess etc. is £695. I did see that Watchdog had some idiot representing the insurance companies on the other week claiming costs were up by $5%. This is a racket.
 INSURANCE - Bobby
As I’ve said before the Insurance Companies and Copart have a huge racket going on.

Insurance companies sell written off vehicles through copart to be repaired. They are written off because new parts are either too dear or too long lead times.

Toerags then buy from copart, steal to order the parts they need and then rebuild the car and sell it on.

Insurance company pays out on the stolen car, or in many cases , the remains of the stolen car that has been recovered.

They then sell it through the likes of copart…..

The latest scam I have heard is current model Porsches having their headlights stolen.
 INSURANCE - smokie
I was minded to hide this post as you seemed to be implying that the insurance companies and Copart are jointly running a scam. Accusations like that can result in action against us as a site and the individuals who run it.

But on re-reading you post it seems the insurance companies are selling off their write-offs through and auction company, and I don't see that's a scam.

The cars are then auctioned to someone who then steals parts to rebuild them, and I don't see that's a scam.

Insurance pays out for the stolen car parts, and I don't see that as a scam.

The rebuilt cars are then resold maybe (or maybe not) through Copart. Not a scam either.

Or have I missed the point of your conspiracy theory?
 INSURANCE - Zero
Its not an organised scam, just the system being used by scammers.
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
My Roomster was written off and sold through Copart.

It's now back on the road and has been for some time. Am I supposed to think the steering rack and set of nearside panels it needed were stolen to order?
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Mon 30 Oct 23 at 08:42
 INSURANCE - Zero
Roomsters are not stolen to order. Bits probably from a rear ender probably used.
Last edited by: Zero on Mon 30 Oct 23 at 09:08
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
>> Roomsters are not stolen to order. Bits probably from a rear ender probably used.

That would be my guess too. I was offered the salvage rather than it going to Copart but I'd not got the time to wait with it off the road and hiring. Own fault claim so I would have been paying for the hire.
 INSURANCE - Falkirk Bairn
Neighbour bought a V6 TT from Copart for just over £1000 - rear wing panel damage only and drove well!

Took out the engine & gearbox for his Caddy Van upgrade

Then went about selling off the "rest of the car" - doors, wheels, seats, window glass.......... left with very little for the scrappy.

Almost got back all his money back from the parts sale.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
To try to get an understanding as to where we are with insurance premiums for EVs I have just checked out Go Compare.

Last year I paid £392 for my VW ID3

This year the lowest quote is £560 for equivalent cover

As a comparison an n ICE Golf Style 1500 would cost me a minimum of £492 to insure.

A Tesla model 3 standard range would cost me £1,415. That is with LVE. No other Insurer is quoting me less than £2,675 for that car



My conclusion is that all insurance has gone up a lot. Increases on most EVs and ICE cars appear to be the same ball park.

HOWEVER. Insuring a TESLA is going to cost a a lot of money




Last edited by: CGNorwich on Wed 8 Nov 23 at 14:44
 INSURANCE - Zero

>> HOWEVER. Insuring a TESLA is going to cost a a lot of money

At 17grand for a new battery pack ( which can be toast if you drive through a deep puddle, of which we have many right now) I am not surprised.

IF you can get a new pack, which is on no estimate back order.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
I don't think driving through a deep puddle will be catastrophic
 INSURANCE - Zero
Tesla has water sensors dotted around the battery pack. It has a 20 cm puddle-depth "warranty limit" = 8" deep. It is only 6.3" to the bottom of the battery pack.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
20 cm of water is not a puddle.
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
>> 20 cm of water is not a puddle.

It's not but neither is it an uncommon depth around here when prolonged heavy rain allows flows of water to form off waterlogged clay soil and across roads.
 INSURANCE - Robin O'Reliant
Mine went up from £126 last year to £206 this time.
 INSURANCE - Duncan
>> Mine went up from £126 last year to £206 this time.
>>

What's that for?
 INSURANCE - Zero
>> >> Mine went up from £126 last year to £206 this time.
>> >>
>>
>> What's that for?

Its small, cheap and in Wales. The last bit affects the premium a lot.
 INSURANCE - Robin O'Reliant
>> >>
>>
>> What's that for?
>>

'63 reg 1.2 Panda, full comp class 1 business.

As Zero says, living in rural Wales plays a big part in keeping premiums down.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
Would you attempt to drive through 20cm of water in a normal saloon car of any type? I certainly wouldn't. THe AA and others recommends you don't drive though more than 10 cm of water in a normal car whatever the fuel
 INSURANCE - Zero
Having just checked what 20cms looks like on my ruler, Yes, easy peasy piece of cake no issue. Have done it many times in many cars. Just checked my car, the front splitter is 24cm and the sills 22 cm. And mine is quite a low car

Not that you know how deep any water is when you approach it. So what do you do, stay at home when its raining?
Last edited by: Zero on Wed 8 Nov 23 at 17:40
 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzA0U53HF2g
 INSURANCE - Zero
I am sure Teslas are much cheaper to insure in Rufford. Not.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
No, I just don't drive though floods.
 INSURANCE - Zero
>> No, I just don't drive though floods.

Well it matters not because you are still paying more for your insurance because you have an electric car.
Last edited by: Zero on Wed 8 Nov 23 at 18:02
 INSURANCE - smokie
OTOH my 2nd year service is criminal compared to my 1st year. £129 this year v. £44 or thereabouts last! That's main dealer and includes the full AA membership which comes with a service (and hopefully the car will also get it's once a year clean).
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
>> >> No, I just don't drive though floods.
>>
>> Well it matters not because you are still paying more for your insurance because you
>> have an electric car.
>>
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
Yes slightly more. In the overall scheme of things it doesn’t make much difference to running costs. Charging costs me About £16 per month as against £100 in petrol costs for a Golf.
 INSURANCE - Kevin
What's the upfront price difference and depreciation compared to the equivalent Golf?
 INSURANCE - Lygonos
>>What's the upfront price difference and depreciation compared to the equivalent Golf?

Depends what price you pay/paid of course.

Just now you can get a LEAF 40 for £22k new*, MG4 or MG ZS from £24k, and MG5 estate from £26k**.

* www.new-car-discount.com/car/nissan/leaf-hatchback/hatchback/electric/automatic/110kw-acenta-39kwh-5dr-auto/22/

** www.vicyoung.co.uk/offers/mg-affinity-programme/

iD3 are stupidly high RRP - base 59kWh is around £37k though you can get them for £33k in brokers, and as supply improves I suspect they'll drop below £30k.

A Golf 1.5 auto (slower and smaller inside than the iD3 by some margin) in cheapest spec is £30k RRP - drivethedeal can sell you one for £25,120 so stocks must be quite good

 INSURANCE - Lygonos
....and if anyone wants an electrified Corsa there are plenty brand new 50kWh jobs for under £20k right now.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?make=Vauxhall&model=Corsa-e&postcode=G332QX&sort=price-asc&year-from=new
 INSURANCE - Bobby
That is some saving on the Corsa!

Random question, do all electric cars have the ability to be defrosted and heated up remotely whilst still plugged in? Is that just standard on all electric cars, presumably App controlled?
 INSURANCE - Lygonos
>>do all electric cars have the ability to be defrosted and heated up remotely whilst still plugged in? Is that just standard on all electric cars, presumably App controlled?

Not all, but most do nowadays.

They don't need to be plugged in - they will use the traction battery to power the heating/defrosting, although if it is plugged in, it will effectively use the charger to power the heater.
 INSURANCE - Duncan
>> ....and if anyone wants an electrified Corsa there are plenty brand new 50kWh jobs for
>> under £20k right now.
>>
>> www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?make=Vauxhall&model=Corsa-e&postcode=G332QX&sort=price-asc&year-from=new
>>

Barlinnie prison?
 INSURANCE - Lygonos
>> Barlinnie prison?

A virtual cookie for you sir!

I couldn't get it to make a link sans postcode so used a fake.

Honest!
 INSURANCE - Bobby
Why the £10k + of the new Corsas?
Overpriced to begin with?
Over supply?
Crap car?

Would you pay £20k for the Corsa or £24k for the Leaf? (No doubt you will say the MG…..)
 INSURANCE - Lygonos
Why the £10k + of the new Corsas?
Overpriced to begin with?
Over supply?
Crap car?

Almost certainly oversupply and the RRP is fantasy (low £30k) and was set intially because manufacturers could get a subsidy for cars prices £31999 or less.

Plenty of owners on speakev.com seem to find them acceptable cars.

If I wanted an EV to do runs up to 120-170 miles* then I'd go LEAF as a very reliable piece of kit. The Corsa will manage 150-200 miles**.

* ev-database.org/uk/car/1106/Nissan-Leaf

** ev-database.org/uk/car/1585/Vauxhall-Corsa-e

The MS ZS LR is fantastic value at £26.5k for a car that can do 260+ miles in summer and 200+miles in winter and is indeed what I own, and for the money would buy again.

ev-database.org/uk/car/1541/MG-ZS-EV-Long-Range



re. MG Affinity prices, if you don't qualify as a public worker or having a public worker in the family, the prices are also available to members of the MG owners club, so some people have joined purely to access the MGUK discounted prices.
 INSURANCE - VxFan
>> Plenty of owners on speakev.com seem to find them acceptable cars.

Basically the same car as the Peugeot 208. Built on the same platform as the Corsa, by the PSA Group, who are now Stellantis.
 INSURANCE - smokie
I thought MG Affinity ended over a year ago...

EDIT: Well it deffo did but I see it's back. Some quite decent discounts

Oh, and my older MG5 (aka "pre-facelift") doesn't have an app but I cope without it!! You can often control the charging remotely too, though I have enough control of that from my EVSE (charger) app.
Last edited by: smokie on Thu 9 Nov 23 at 11:37
 INSURANCE - Zero
>> Why the £10k + of the new Corsas?
>> Overpriced to begin with?
>> Over supply?
>> Crap car?
>
The Corsa has always had a crap reputation, and had to be sold on low price levels. Had I been a planner in PSA, I would have insisted on a name change for the EV option. Ford would make a killing if they made an electric version of the fiesta.
Last edited by: Zero on Thu 9 Nov 23 at 12:09
 INSURANCE - Duncan
>> >> Barlinnie prison?
>>
>> A virtual cookie for you sir!
>>
>> I couldn't get it to make a link sans postcode so used a fake.

I don't know if it is a big deal if one uses one's real postcode, I use an old address which is a few streets away, so close enough for distances etc.

I occasionally use SW1A 1AA.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
I paid £29,500 for my October 2022 ID 3 bought through DTD. Same year/model currently for sale around £26,000 on Autotrader. A bit irrelevant as have no intention of selling anytime soon. Really like the car.
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Wed 8 Nov 23 at 23:11
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
>> No, I just don't drive though floods.

I don't set out to either but sometimes I end up in one.
 INSURANCE - Zero
.
Last edited by: Zero on Wed 8 Nov 23 at 16:51
 INSURANCE - Biggles
This happened to someone in Scotland. It was in the papers a month or so ago.
 INSURANCE - Lygonos
200,000 Teslas in the UK.

1 person drowned their battery and are crying about it.

Tesla insurance is sky high because they cost a ton to repair, parts are slow to arrive, and they are now being driven by the clowns who used to have company BMW and AUDIs :-)

Went to Gocompare for some quotes.

£420 for a 2016 LEAF, £700 for a 429bhp MG4 X-Power, and over £900 for a Model 3 LR AWD.
Last edited by: Lygonos on Wed 8 Nov 23 at 22:49
 INSURANCE - Zero
>> 200,000 Teslas in the UK.
>>
>> 1 person drowned their battery and are crying about it.

Its not the drowning, most survive, its the refusal of Tesla to change failing batteries under warranty if the water indicators are triggered.
 INSURANCE - Lygonos
>>Its not the drowning, most survive, its the refusal of Tesla to change failing batteries under warranty if the water indicators are triggered.

Fairly new car - would expect if there is a fair case their household or vehicle legal cover policy could come in handy?

Tesla recently settled a claim brought by an owner that their "Full Self Driving" was a crock.

Which it is, especially in the UK.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
Will a manufacturer of an ICE car pay out under warranty if you kill the engine by driving through a flood?
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Thu 9 Nov 23 at 09:15
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
>> Will a manufacturer of an ICE car pay out under warranty if you kill the
>> engine by driving through a flood?

No. ISTR policies were amended to make this clear when these things spiked with diesels in various makes with low set intakes.
 INSURANCE - Zero
>> Will a manufacturer of an ICE car pay out under warranty if you kill the
>> engine by driving through a flood?

No, but then the engine is not mounted at floor level. Yes i know you need to know the depth of your air intake I agree.

As I allude to further up the thread, Tesla are particularly aggressive with refusal to honour warranties where ever possible. It also has very poor dealer support. Its certainly not a brand I would dump my money into.
Last edited by: Zero on Thu 9 Nov 23 at 12:05
 INSURANCE - smokie
" very poor dealer support

Suppose that's mostly because they don't need annual servicing.
Last edited by: smokie on Thu 9 Nov 23 at 13:04
 INSURANCE - Zero
>> " very poor dealer support
>>
>> Suppose that's mostly because they don't need annual servicing.

Read, not enough money in it. Not the point tho is it. Things still break, get crashed, no dealer network means very poor parts logistics, especially when repairs are specialised. Its a policy that was built into the business.
 INSURANCE - smokie
I'm not disagreeing with any of that but given that EVs simply aren't (generally) as needful as ICE cars the service and repairs model will need to change somehow.

I'm guessing that at least 80% of EV fettling is the same as any other car. I certainly took my Ampera to a local indie and had the brakes replaced (with Astra parts which were a lot cheaper than identical Ampera parts).

New businesses will spring up which will focus on EVs and become trained and specialist in them, and the servicing model will change, in a similar way that the whole traditional motor industry needs to change. I doubt it'll take someone too long to see the opportunities!

And yes, they will need to have the support of the manufacturers with a decent spares supply.
 INSURANCE - Manatee
All of ours (3) were up 30% within a point or two.

From somebody in the trade I believe it's mainly due to some companies pulling out of motor, there's just less capacity. The ones who remain can fill their capacity at higher prices. There's been a bit of a correction on the repair side too - insurers had been paying as little as £20/hour for labour, that isn't viable without creative billing (billing more hours or using second hand parts I guess). Some will say different but at least one is making good money now in contrast to pre-Covid.
 INSURANCE - smokie
Crikey, I'm sure the local was-Ford dealer was £120 an hour back when I had the Mondeo - that was 2011.
 INSURANCE - Zero
I pay £120 hour now for my BMW specialist indy
 INSURANCE - Boxsterboy
I don't understand car insurance. I thought it was supposed to have sky-rocketed in recent months.

Number 1 son, with 6 years NCB, aged 23, fancied a new (second-hand) car - a Subaru Impreza WRX (STI if possible). I advised him to check the cost of insurance in the light of recent reports of how expensive it has become. He was surprised with the quote of £8,000. I wasn't.

I was however very surprised when he turned his attentions to a BMW M235i (only a couple of insurance bands below the Scooby), and the insurance quote came to just £536. Fully comp. For 12 months. As part of the family Admiral Multi-car policy that is due for renewal next Feb. Let's hope they don't try and pull any fast ones then...

Incidentally, the dealer we are buying the BMW from was having great trouble shifting the Land Rovers/Range Rovers he had in stock - due to difficulties in buyers getting insurance...
 INSURANCE - Duncan
>> Incidentally, the dealer we are buying the BMW from was having great trouble shifting the
>> Land Rovers/Range Rovers he had in stock - due to difficulties in buyers getting insurance...
>>

And getting them repaired, I hear.
 INSURANCE - legacylad

>> And getting them repaired, I hear.
>>
Surely the LR dealers have had plenty of practice by now.
My Discovery Sport owning friend has his own coffee cup in reception at his local dealer.
 INSURANCE - Lygonos
Insurance appears to be very highly postcode dependent.

Range Rovers are literally uninsurable in London now.

After seeing a comment on a forum to this effect I used details "similar to my own" to get quotes on a new mid-range RR from a comparison site

£2300 was best in Central Scotland.

Zero quotes when I used a London address.

Apparently up to 100 RR are stolen per week in the capital.
Last edited by: Lygonos on Wed 29 Nov 23 at 07:57
 INSURANCE - VxFan
>> Apparently up to 100 RR are stolen per week in the capital.

And very easy they are to steal too from what I've seen on YouTube where people buy / repair damaged or salvaged vehicles. The thief just turns up with their own key and swaps over a PCB in the boot which is married up to that key.
 INSURANCE - Zero
Its the key relay theft* that lifts them (there is talk of a can bus injection theft but that takes time) or burglary key theft. Both easy to prevent with a bit of care.

Apparently the second hand value of RR's (specially SVR) in London & Surrounds has plummeted


*I had the feature deleted from my BMW order
 INSURANCE - Falkirk Bairn
A son picked up his new car this week.
Trawling the comparison sites typical quotes anything from £600 to £1,000+

BMW Insurance, free for 5 days, then yielded a quote of £420 with £500 excess which was cheapest by far - his existing 320d, 184BHP 3 series was less but not by much the new car is around 300BHP petrol.



 INSURANCE - Clk Sec
Recent renewal for my ageing limousine came in at around 25% more than last year. However, my usual follow-up 'phone call with a friendly agent, picked up immediately, lopped a lump off this.

£223 for the year. Considerably less than I was expecting.
 INSURANCE - Bobby
It’s not all bad news.

My 91 year old dad told me this week that he is going to give up his car at renewal time in January. Insurance last year for his 1.6 Nissan Note automatic was £950 so fully expects a premium in excess of £1500 this year is a step too far for him.

I have apparently to now look into mobility scooters for him……..
 INSURANCE - legacylad
Pop over to Benidorm.
Lots to check out on the prom
 INSURANCE - bathtub tom
>>I have apparently to now look into mobility scooters for him........

It's a minefield. Did that for MIL. First there's different classes that can be used on footpaths (4MPH) and those that can be used on footpaths (4MPH) and roads (8MPH). I didn't tell MIL about the latter class!
New prices are all over the place, with local shops selling at a premium for scooters that can be bought for a fraction of the price online.
Be wary of 'puncture-proof' tyres. They're probably solid and give a very harsh ride.
There's lots of cheap models, I suspect they're Chinese models with no backup.
The second hand market's even worse, with loads of cowboys flogging dodgy gear.

I have to say it gave my MIL another couple of years of freedom, she wouldn't have had otherwise.

Good luck
 INSURANCE - MD
I’ve just had a quote from my usual broker. Just over a grand for a 14 plate Toyota Hilux. WTH is going on?
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
>> I’ve just had a quote from my usual broker. Just over a grand for a
>> 14 plate Toyota Hilux. WTH is going on?

1. There are real problems in the market for car repairs pushing costs through the roof. If that's a real thing then the market is responding.

2. The insurers are a cartel in which competition is being largely suppressed so as to rip off the public.

My instinct is along the lines of 1. The proliferation of comparison sites, companies like Direct Line keeping themselves outwith comparison sites and brokers both on line and in the High St make 2 seen implausible. The specific issues with Teslas - incredibly difficult and mega costly to repair - and the susceptibility to industrial scale theft of theft certain very high end brands/models in London and SE bear out 1.

What do others think?
 INSURANCE - Bobby
So what’s causing 1? Do we still have supply chain issues for parts, chips etc?


Good to read in various places that it is getting practically impossible to insure Range Rovers in certain areas of the country now. Only way to make manufacturers act is to stop customers buying their products (as opposed to an endless stream of selling cars, they get stolen, insurance pays out, punter buys another RR etc)

I still feel the supply of damaged vehicles through the auction sites by the insurance companies provides a demand for stolen vehicles.
 INSURANCE - Zero

>> I still feel the supply of damaged vehicles through the auction sites by the insurance
>> companies provides a demand for stolen vehicles.

It can be stopped. But your insurance premium would be doubled, because it where the insurance companies recoup some of the loss. Plus the country would be littered with damaged vehicles. The scrappy selling parts is as old as the motor car itself, its an essential part of the chain, and all that has changed is the process for selling and buying.
 INSURANCE - Bobby
Cheers BT, I will start a separate thread shortly!
 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional
...just had my renewal in for the motorhome.

Final result is 3% increase on last year. It would have been more, (though not materially so) but for the fact that for first year since I bought it, I've been able to reduce the insured value a little.

It was originally insured at the list price (which I didn't pay) 5 years ago, and since then motorhome pricing has "gone silly", with it in effect theoretically appreciating. Similar vans of the same age and mileage have now stabilised at roughly what I paid for it five years ago, hence the reduction in "market value".

I've also removed SWMBO as a named driver, which had no effect on premium (sometimes it might even increase the premium). She has no desire whatsoever to drive the thing any longer, and my insurance covers provision of a driver to repatriate in the event that there is no insured driver fit to drive through injury or illness. There is no way she would drive back from Southern Europe if I were "incapable", hence the deletion.
 INSURANCE - smokie
Now there's an anomaly then - in recent years it has always (I think) been cheaper to include SWMBO on my car insurance (and vice versa), even though she never drives mine and I rarely drive hers. I used to include my daughter too for a small increase but then she got three points...!!

I'd understood it was pretty irrelevant what you insure a vehicle for (in terms of what they will pay out, rather than the premium), as they will only offer you cost of like-for-like replacement not what you paid for it or what you think it's worth or whatever. I do recall successfully negotiating up the value of one car (the creosote Vectra, for those who remember) but only on the strength of a number of ads on Autotrader.
 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional
>> Now there's an anomaly then.....
>>

...indeed, though it's not entirely a conventional policy (though probably the leading motorcaravan insurer). Doesn't offer a NCD, for instance.

I'm still on my son's insurance, since that reduces his premium somewhat, but given the practicalities and the lack of financial impact, removing SWMBO from the motorhome insurance is now a no-brainer.

AIUI, undervaluing a vehicle for insurance would likely limit the maximum payout if less than market value.
 INSURANCE - Oldgit
Myself among many are insured with Morethan who have just informed me that they are winding up their insurance business with respect to Car Insurance but this will only happen when one's current policy is up for renewal (next March for me). They are transferring all data over to Swinton Insurance who will send out introduction packs 3 weeks prior to expiry date.
I'll have to wait and see what they offer as this would be the easiest option although I could shop around, obviously.
 INSURANCE - Bobby
Just seen one of these random Facebook group pages pop up.
It’s for Tesla owners. An owner has had a no fault accident and had a courtesy car until his can get repaired.
Through an accident management company.

Courtesy car is a Bentley Bentayga! After 2 weeks of that he asked to return it as was too big and was given some sort of AMG Mercedes in its place!

Can’t even begin to think Hire much the other party will be getting charged for those!
 INSURANCE - Oldgit
What are people here going to do if they are currently insured with Morethan Car Insurance when their current policy expires. The Company are closing down their Car Insurance side of the business and are recommending Swinton?
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
I guess what most sensible people do each year i.e go to a comparison site and get a quote.
 INSURANCE - Manatee
They are closing to new customers. If you are insured with them you can continue, providing etc.. whether they will be competitive is another question. No real reason they shouldn't be, acquiring me business is expensive. If they stop recruiting, they have a cash cow albeit a shrinking one.
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
>> They are closing to new customers. If you are insured with them you can continue,
>> providing etc.. whether they will be competitive is another question. No real reason they shouldn't
>> be, acquiring me business is expensive. If they stop recruiting, they have a cash cow
>> albeit a shrinking one.

The website says they're closing to new and renewing customers.
 INSURANCE - Oldgit
>> >> They are closing to new customers. If you are insured with them you can
>> continue,
>>
No, no they're not insuring existing customers nor new ones.
They're winding up the car insurance side because too much competition.
 INSURANCE - Arctophile
It's not just car insurance. From 2024 More Than will stop both home and pet insurance.

www.morethan.com/information-about-more-than/
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
There are aroung 200 motor insurance companies inthe UK. One less is hardly a problem.
 INSURANCE - Duncan
>> There are aroung 200 motor insurance companies inthe UK. One less is hardly a problem.
>>

What about one fewer?
 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional
>> ......One less is hardly a problem.
>>
>>
>> What about one fewer?
>>

....that would be a lesser problem.....
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
If you were unaware of the development of the English Language and the fact that less has been used in a similar manner for over 12 centuries and that the so called rule only came about in the 18 century when a grammarian simply voiced his personal preferences you could use fewer .

 INSURANCE - Boxsterboy
>> It's not just car insurance. From 2024 More Than will stop both home and pet
>> insurance.
>>

Perhaps they are going to re-brand as 'Less Than'?
 INSURANCE - Oldgit
>> Perhaps they are going to re-brand as 'Less Than'?

Or perhaps 'Fewer than' LOL
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 19 Dec 23 at 11:15
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
Mine's due at the end of January so not actually got a renewal quote, nor can I easily access them via comparison sites while still over a month out.

However I succumbed to an email today albeit giving date as 19/01/24. Best quote was £379 from AXA - approx £100 more than now.

There's a possible o/s claim/loss of NCD for damage to the roller door I hit with the caravan which won't help.
 INSURANCE - Oldgit
>> Mine's due at the end of January so not actually got a renewal quote, nor
>> can I easily access them via comparison sites while still over a month out.
>>
Is it not possible when on comparison sites to put in a false date when you want the Insurance to start such that one can get a list of quotes. I realise that these quotes will not be accurate or valid when you ask for a quote/s with, say 30 days of the true expiry dates.
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
I got a list of quotes that I cannot hold any company to as they're a fortnight before my actual renewal.

They should be some sort of a marker as to what I might expect and a heads up for whether I'm going to pay a bit more or a lot more.

Direct Line usually give me a renewal price immediately after New Year and if that's gone up a lot, other than for lost NCD, then I'll shop around a bit.
 INSURANCE - Kevin
Two cases of Hyundai Ioniq 5 being written off because dealers want CA$60,000 to replace the battery when undertrays damaged.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEXieo06ta8
 INSURANCE - zippy
£385 last year.

No change of circumstances.

Best quote today, £791!!!!! Exactly a month to renewal. I will wait until day 23 and do some more quotes per Martin Lewis!

It’s a diesel auto Tucson ffs, not a hot hatch.
 INSURANCE - Zero
Caravan insurance renewal arrived - 20 quid dearer. I'll not bother to price compare that one.
 INSURANCE - VxFan
>> Caravan insurance renewal arrived - 20 quid dearer. I'll not bother to price compare that
>> one.

Motorbike insurance £1 less than last year. I don't think I'll bother haggling either.
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 27 Feb 24 at 13:31
 INSURANCE - R.P.
Ended up with a second bike. Both insured on a rider policy from Aviva. Saved £80.00 on the Guzzi's premium last year.
 INSURANCE - zippy
I got the renewal price a while back and left it with my current insurance co who beat the comparison sites by a country mile - £520, next cheapest £540 from a co that I have never heard of and £570 from a reasonably well known insurer.
 INSURANCE - Oldgit
Well as promised Morethan, transferred all my data over to Swinton who eventually sent me a welcoming pack in early Feb IIRC and a renewal premium for my VW Golf of £1866 again IIRC.
This was binned and when I tried, online to get quoted with AA and LV= they didn't want to know one of them stating that they only insured people from 17 to 85 years old - I'm now 86.
Last year I paid about £790 with Morethan after negotiating with them and so I went onto the inevitable comparison websites and the cheapest quotes were of the order £900. Anyway I phoned SAGA and got a SAGA+ quote of £1078 fixed for three year so took that which at the time seemed a good idea. If I'm still around next year I might shop around more carefully and see what further increases have been thrust upon us and who knows I may have changed my then 8 year old car. for one without knobs!
 INSURANCE - Rudedog
Wouldn't be surprised if there is an increase in drivers taking a chance and driving without insurance as prices for 'regular' cars jump beyond many's budget.
 INSURANCE - Runfer D'Hills
3 cars here on a multi car policy. Renewal came through a couple of months ago. Ever so slightly cheaper than last year. Didn’t argue!
 INSURANCE - smokie
I do wonder whether the apparent hike in prices might have partly come about as for years everyone has expected to negotiate a better deal (ideally cheaper than the previous year) and eventually the whole shebang becomes unsustainable.
 INSURANCE - Clk Sec
>> I do wonder whether the apparent hike in prices might have partly come about as
>> for years everyone has expected to negotiate a better deal

My thoughts exactly. I negotiate a lower price for house and car insurance every year.
 INSURANCE - R.P.
Last year my Audi cost £317 - Just done a quote (28 days to go) and £334. Not like with like but more things covered. Will try Direct Line next few days.
 INSURANCE - R.P.
Renewal turned up today £234. Guess no point in looking for a cheaper quote.
 INSURANCE - legacylad
GR Yaris just renewed.
£221 last year with Santander (Ageas). Limited mileage. Protected NCD. Large excess (£600...of which £450 is compulsory)
Renewal this year was £359.

I spent a few hours one evening shopping around....went with LV @ £287. Same excess....but added an ex who is an IAM member of 21 years standing. Reduced it a little.

Saved £92 ( that includes £20 beer money)
 INSURANCE - Rudedog
Got my 'softening up' email from LV= today as my insurance is up for renewal soon.... blah blah repair costs up 50%, blah blah thefts up 35%.... I never know if this is specifically aimed at me in preparation for my actual upcoming quote or if every LV= customer gets one?

 INSURANCE - Lygonos

FRV renewal in a couple of days ago.

QMH want £450 - was £330 last year

Dropped the miles to 3000 (from 6000 - don't use it very often but makes a good 'dump run' car).

Run through the Meerkat and got cover for £220 via AA.

I wonder if we are past the peak?
 INSURANCE - Fullchat
You are not on your own. I got the same 'softening' letter from LV -

Cost of vehicle repairs – up 32% since 2022.
Reflecting rising costs, energy inflation and more expensive repairs (source: ABI).
Payouts for vehicle theft - up 35% since 2022 (source: ABI).
Labour costs for repairs – up 50% since 2019, due to inflation, shortage of skilled workers and the energy crisis (source: Auto Body Professionals).
Severe weather – Storms are getting worse and more frequent and it’s impacting motorists. Recent storms, Babet and Ciarán, saw many cars damaged by flash floods and falling trees/debris in the high winds.

Then the renewal letter the next day up from £225 to £350. 50% rise.

Spent some time on the comparison sites. Specifically looking for someone who covers a panoramic sunroof under windscreens.

Plenty of suitably priced quotes but:
Aviva Zero are coming in at £241. Excess £250. But mixed reviews.
Darwin at £274 with £400 excess
Tesco Bank at £281 with lots of bells and whistles looks appealing.

So all is not lost.
 INSURANCE - Kevin
>Cost of vehicle repairs – up 32% since 2022.
>Reflecting rising costs, energy inflation and more expensive repairs (source: ABI).

Surprise, surprise. Insurers quoting their own mouthpiece as justification for increasing prices.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
Do you doubt repair costs have risen steeply? Try getting a quote from your local body shop.
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
>> Do you doubt repair costs have risen steeply? Try getting a quote from your local
>> body shop.

You would though think, given things like Ukraine, fuel prices, lack of available parts etc are across the whole of Europe that other countries would have similar issues.

The Guardian reported over the weekend that France has not seen anything like the escalation in premiums we've had here.
 INSURANCE - smokie
The internet tells me that France has only gone up by 2% whereas Germany has gone up by 11% and the UK by 34%.

I'm in no doubt that our rise is the largest but I believe we still pay less than those countries. The internet tells me that average car insurance in the US is $2543. Here apparently £995.

The figures tell you nothing about the history of the price. Many people here (me included) have previously managed to "negotiate" a lower rise or often a drop in cost compared to previous years.

I wonder if we are partly paying the price for that maybe.
 INSURANCE - Kevin
>Do you doubt repair costs have risen steeply? Try getting a quote from your local body shop.

I haven't tried and I'd really rather not need to. Have you? How much has it increased since the last time you asked for a quote?
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
Four figure sum for what seemed to be a comparatively small job. Slight dent and re spray one panel. Independent body shop. Owner told me all his costs through the roof. Strangely paint has increased in price by about 50%
 INSURANCE - Bobby
So majority of those costs are Labour?
So it’s just him increasing his prices.

I recently got a bumper / back wing scrape done for £350 and that included full bumper removal and painting of both areas.
 INSURANCE - Robin O'Reliant
>> So majority of those costs are Labour?
>> So it’s just him increasing his prices.
>>
>>

Hardly surprising really. We've spent decades sending decidedly average school leavers to "Uni" to learn how to shuffle paperclips and now we are having to pay increased wages to tradesmen because there aren't enough of them. The garages round this way are crying out for mechanics and there is an average two week wait for repairs.
 INSURANCE - Rudedog
Kevin - That's exactly what I thought.

So do car insurance prices go up just due to car related claims or do drivers suffer more with insurance companies that have also branched out into home cover?

Last edited by: Rudedog on Wed 10 Apr 24 at 14:27
 INSURANCE - Bobby
I do think that a side problem of the cost of living crisis is many companies and industries think that customers expect increases so go out of their way to make sure that is the case!
 INSURANCE - VxFan
Just had my renewal quote through from Direct Line.

Been with them 9 years now. Never made a claim in all that time with them. Price up until now for my 10 yr old diesel Astra-J has always hovered around the £300 to £350 mark.

This year they've bumped it up to £564.

I'm temped to phone them and report an attempted robbery.

The Meercats and confused lot have emailed me prices around the £330 mark. Cheapest is with the AA. Obviously I need to check their policy matches my existing one.
Last edited by: VxFan on Fri 17 May 24 at 14:16
 INSURANCE - bathtub tom
Just received my buildings and contents renewal, up from £227 to £324, with no claims in the past year.

It's with the PO and there's so many errors in the documentation (including the wrong address), I think I've no alternative but to go with a different company, but not before I send a 'snotty' to the CEO comparing them to Vennels and Horizon.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
You are angry with the wrong people. The Post Office are simply the front name. Your Insurance is actually with AGEAS, a Belgian multi national Insurer. They set the premiuns and are responible for all the admin.
 INSURANCE - Zero
at the end of the day, mr VX driver does not meet their current premium/risk profile and they dont want his business, so bumped him in the inertia premiums bin.
 INSURANCE - zippy
The annual pooch insurance arrived today.

£1,152!!!

Of course, one can't change insurers or previous ailments are not covered.
 INSURANCE - Clk Sec
>> The annual pooch insurance arrived today.
>> £1,152!!!
>> Of course, one can't change insurers or previous ailments are not covered.

With a premium like that, I would be looking to self insure.
 INSURANCE - bathtub tom
>> The annual pooch insurance arrived today.
>> £1,152!!!

When I was a kid, if the vet bill was even a fraction of that, it would be put down. Cats and dogs (kittens and puppies) were always freely available. Their pedigree was questionable.
 INSURANCE - Zero

>> Their pedigree was questionable.

The pedigree of mine is impeccable, and their sporting results of great interest (and of some monetary value) to their respective breeders.
 INSURANCE - Zero
I guess poochie is getting older. I fully expect insurance on my now 12 year oldie to rocket up into £ks, an unaffordable level. I shall cancel her policy, put £5k into a savings account, and if a future event requires more than that, consider the viability of her future. Now that may initially sound harsh, but consider the medical viability, outcome, and quality of life of major medical intervention on a 12 year old dog. In short its risky with poor prognosis, so why insure for it.

On the other hand, 4 year old youngster, has racked up 6k in vets bills, (all single occurrence issues so wont be classed as pre existing) and I haven't yet paid that amount in premiums, so she has been good value for money!!!!!
 INSURANCE - zippy
>>I guess poochie is getting older...

Yes, she had her 13th birthday in March.

You may recall she was badly mauled by a couple of Alsatians a few years back and had an extensive operation to save her (her back was punctured and her intestines were out). She made an amazing recovery.

She is showing signs of old age. She has cataracts and is going deaf (selectively).

She's still very active, good fun and very cheeky.

One noticeable change recently is that she now runs up to our friends and has a good sniff to recognise them and then greets them once she is sure of who it is.

Oh - and she knows how to cadge a chip like an expert! :-D
 INSURANCE - Falkirk Bairn
Years ago I used to insure the dog only to find some reason that many of the things that went wrong were not covered or the excess had risen.

The last 2 dogs took ill aged 12 & 13 - I spent several hundred in the last few days of their lives before taking the advice that nothing else could be done.

I do not have a problem putting them to sleep as it kindness to ease their distress.

In fact I have said that I would consider something similar for myself when it becomes legal.
 INSURANCE - R.P.
We did just that with the Springer. God knows how much we spent on him in the end, worth every penny, he deserved the best. :-(
 INSURANCE - R.P.
"I do not have a problem putting them to sleep as it kindness to ease their distress.
In fact I have said that I would consider something similar for myself when it becomes legal."

My thoughts excactly, that last morning was awful and the decision made. Vet offered scans and tests but it wasn't fair on him.
 INSURANCE - VxFan
>> at the end of the day, mr VX driver does not meet their current premium/risk
>> profile and they dont want his business, so bumped him in the inertia premiums bin.

At the end of the day, if when I phone them, and they cannot bring my premium down to a sensible value, then they can shove next years policy up their tailpipe.
 INSURANCE - VxFan
>> This year they've bumped it up to £564.

>> The Meercats and confused lot have emailed me prices around the £330 mark. Cheapest is
>> with the AA. Obviously I need to check their policy matches my existing one.


After some negotiation with DL, their over the phone offer was £466, which I've reluctantly accepted. So a jump of £136 from last year, but almost £100 cheaper than their original quote.

The AA Silver policy didn't match my existing DL policy, and the AA Gold policy had some things missing, such as clauses in hire cars, and a compulsory excess as well as voluntary.

Living in a rural area, with limited public transport, I've been in a situation where Tesco decided my previous car was a write off there and then and therefore no "guaranteed" hire car. You only get it if the car is repairable, or up to a max of 21 days if declared a write off. Once declared written off, they take the hire car back.
Last time, I had to rely on friends and family to help me shop round for a replacement car, but in the end I did a deal with a local garage to come to me with the car I was interested in buying. In short, a lot of faffing about.
The DL policy says I get a hire car for a period of time regardless.

 INSURANCE - Crankcase
House insurance. Went from £450 to £750 with LV. They weren't interested in lowering it. So swapped to Aviva, still £530,but a bit cheaper.

Whilst there, I got a speculative quote for my car insurance, due July. Last premium £450 odd. Aviva quoted £1100 today

Sigh. I don't live in a mansion or drive a supercar.
 INSURANCE - maltrap
Just had a renewal quote from Hastings Direct, an increase from £452 to £710, went back to Gocompare who came up with a quote of £355 with Policy Expert. Looks like a switch.
 INSURANCE - zippy
>>£355.....etc.

Check that the policy has everything you expect - windscreen cover, loan car if yours is undrivable etc. Some of the cheaper policies are bear bones only.
 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional
>> Some of the cheaper policies are bear bones only.
>>

....for panda cars...?
 INSURANCE - legacylad
>> >> Some of the cheaper policies are bear bones only.
>> >>
>>
>> ....for panda cars...?
>>
Let me help you on with your coat :-)
 INSURANCE - hjd
My premium last year was £240.
This year's quote from Tesco with no changes was £503..
Getting other quotes around £360-£380, RAC seems to quote well. That included disclosure of OH's claim, which hadn't been factored into the Tesco quote. On comparison sites, Tesco doesn't seem to feature at all. Maybe it's not just me?
 INSURANCE - smokie
I think, like Direct Line and others, they opt out of them
 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional

>> Let me help you on with your coat :-)
>>

... you'd better have a long reach - I'm in Nova Scotia..... ;-)

(And by all accounts a coat is the last thing I'll need for the next few days)
 INSURANCE - Zero
How was the drive over in the MH? did you have to pump the tyres up above recommended? I hear finding services on that route is a bit tricky.
 INSURANCE - Kevin
>How was the drive over in the MH?...

Not quite got the hang of these new-fangled satnav things. He was on his way to Lidl.
 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional
It's fine, you just have to remember to switch sea lanes from port to starboard half way across.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
Where in Nova Scotia - are you touring the area?
 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional
Touring. So far done Halifax to Digby around the coast,. Exploring round about today., then off to PEI for a few days, then similar for Cape Breton before returning to Halifax and flight home.

We were going to fly out to Halifax, but since Air Canada would give me the extra internal flight effectively for free, we flew out to Montreal for a few days before flying out to Halifax. It was a good choice, Montreal comes highly recommended.
 INSURANCE - Kevin
>..Air Canada would give me the extra internal flight effectively for free..

AKA 'Scare Canada' to the Canucks.
 INSURANCE - Bromptonaut
>> AKA 'Scare Canada' to the Canucks.

There's a whole set of those:

Air France = Air Chance

PanAm - Pandemonium Scareways

BOAC - Better On A Camel, or at the time of the Profumo scandal Bend Over Again Christine.
 INSURANCE - CGNorwich
Montreal is nice. Has been described as what all US cities would be like if settled by the French. Lots of good food, especially Vietnamese restaurants. It is though the home of poutine so not all good!

Charlottetown PEI is a nice town and PEI is very pleasant. A lot softer landscape than Nova Scotia. You can’t avoid Anne of Green Gables but we did have a pleasant afternoon at the visitor centre, Good to take the bridge one way and the ferry back. Ferry is useful if you are going on to Cape Breton.. Cabot Traill is a must. Watch out for Moose!

 INSURANCE - tyrednemotional
Montreal is great if you ignore the tourist traps they try to sell you. Much of Old Montreal could be Oxford Street with cobbles! The various neighbourhoods, both francophone and anglophone, are great and varied for exploring. As a whole the place was less francophone than I expected. We sought out a variety of craft breweries for eating and drinking.

We've 3 days in Charlottetown from tomorrow, then 2x2 to explore Cape Breton.
 INSURANCE - bathtub tom
Just renewed mine. It was an 80% increase last year, but shopping around I got it for 20% less than last year. That's a 40% increase over the two years.

I went with AA through MSE. I didn't like the 'active' pricing. They said it was only valid for fifteen hours. I didn't take it immediately, but looked back the next day - it had gone up. I then went through as a new applicant and it was back to the original price.

I'm now getting spam, supposedly from AA. I may forward it to them.
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