stevec said:
There are two sides to picking an insurer. The first is how cheap an insurance quote is. The second is what happens when you are in a crash. In most cases no one checks the second until after they have a crash then complain how terrible the insurer is.
I'd like to know how Adrian flux are when a crash occurs, then I can rate them, as i use my car for work it's not beneficial to go for the cheapest as I need transport for a job - I don't want to be on the phone arguing about repairer garages and hire cars, when I should be in a meeting somewhere...
I have used confused.com as part of the moneysavingexpert.com car insurance guide repeatedly (this is worth a read). I have consistenetly been left with either Norwich Union and/or Direct Line as the best options each saving me £100 over the renewal premuims. Its a very good way to cut corners to give an idea of a quote, once your details are entered its easy to edit them for the next year and takes a maximum of 10 minutes, which for 80% of the market is good value to me.
As to the optional extras, you should examine your policy very carefully. I have always been asked for the mods to the car (factory fitted ones) these made no difference to the end quote, but I have been repeatedly informed that the quotes insurance companies offer are for the base spec of the car only. As noted we all have extras fitter, if you don't tell the insurer when you take out the insurance you won't get this included if they pay out for a write off, you will only get a pay out on the base car you asked for the quote against.
You would be well to check your options are logged with the insurance company!
If you brought the car new you may also want to get GAP insurance. I'll be getting this on my new S3 this year.
I agree with everything you say, and I too use the car for work purposes, so dont need the hassle that a poor insurance company can cause.
I use to use Norwich Union Direct, and without a doubt they are excellent, but they dont cover modified cars (not many companies do)
Adrian Flux are excellent imho, customer service is excellent, provided you call within office hours (which I find is fine)
As far as mods/factory extras, Adrian Flux have never asked me to provide these in the 3 years I have used them. They ask for the value of the car when purchased new and the non factory mods.
As the car is financed I would advise everyone to get GAP or shortfall insurance. This takes away any risk that you might right off your car or have it nicked and end up with an insurance payout that leaves you finance still to pay!
I have the GAP insurance which if the car is righten off/stolen and never recovered pays out the full amount I paid for the car, this covers me for 3 years. Worth every penny!
Confused.com might work for some but it has ALWAYS given me silly prices for premiums, and I dont care how good an insurance company is, paying £200 more just seems daft to me. I have legal cover, I get a hire car if Im in an accident (for the full duration of the repairs - not 2 weeks like Tesco
) Unlimited mileage per year, business use, and when the modding bug takes hold..... i can declare them and it doesnt make the premium go sky high!
)
