Car Insurance

oldcro · 29-08-2009, 07:24 PM

Does anyone have experience of the AA's insurance when it comes to making a claim? They are about the cheapest for me, but I wondered if they were any good if a claim needed to be made.

Alternatively, has anyone an insurance company they would recommend? Im with Esure at present and the AA's quote was nearly £50 cheaper closely followed by Swinton and M&S.

corned · 29-08-2009, 07:32 PM

We use Liverpool Victoria, and have done for years and years. Me and Mrs C are both CSMA members so that helps, I admit.

LV are happily a) great on competitive premiums, b) offer good coverage, and c) pretty good payers when required. Unfortunately we have had to test that part too, although not the motor insurance - this was household.

wemorgan · 29-08-2009, 07:37 PM

I've heard many good things about claiming through NFU.

Rayny · 29-08-2009, 08:26 PM

I've been fortunate enough to not have to make a claim for about 20 years.

However , before I change insurers I will always ring the claims line and the customer service line for a quick chat. There's no guarantee that things would be the same if I had to use the services, but it gives me a clue as to what the service might be like if I did habve to use them.

One quick word of advice, check what their maximum number of years no claims bonus is - otherwise you might leave them with less years NCB than you start with them.

theonewhosmokes · 29-08-2009, 08:37 PM

Endsleigh Insurance have a good claims service. I used to be a sales manager for them and that was my selling point. And the fact that we had branches all over the UK - but they don't anymore so they're as good as any other now.

My parents are insured with them and had to claim a couple of times and been very happy with the service. The received a replacement car and managed to claim their excess back.

I currently insure my W202 with Sainsbury's. They have good customer service, but I hope never to experience their claims

Paul

oldcro · 29-08-2009, 10:10 PM

I'm off to check NFU options and prices next week as they do have an agent here in Shetland. Always better to speak person to person and get the full details I think.

Many of the initially cheaper quotes were not quite as cheap after checking exacty what was covered and the price of the "extras".

Thanks for the very helpfull replies by the way.

Dodge · 30-08-2009, 11:01 PM

Im with Hastings Direct now.

No body could match them for cost.

ringway · 31-08-2009, 12:59 AM

I'm with MORE THAN for W210, Sprinter, Omega, House, Pet insurance and they ARE fantastic.

I've been unlucky enough to have a few non-fault motor claims in the last couple of years and they pay up without any quibbling.

Power cut, Mrs Ringway lit candle, tripped in the dark, candle damaged carpet = Paid.

Bath leaked, kitchen ceiling collapsed.
Water in kitchen, moved fridge to mop the water and damaged the floor doing so = Paid for bath, retiling, ceiling and associated works AND the new kitchen floor!

They are excellent.

AA were cheapest for me many years ago on the first year, but like so many other companies the second year premium increased even though we hadn't claimed.

ringway · 31-08-2009, 02:05 AM

Re the home insurance quote above.
You MUST have accidental damage cover to be able to claim for certain mishaps.
My mum spilt some paint on the carpet a few weeks ago and the claim (with Chuchill) was rejected because no accidental cover was in place.

kusanku · 31-08-2009, 12:05 PM

Don't go near Norwich Union/Aviva. I had a dreadful time with them, and made two written complaints, neither of which received a response. Not that I would have gone with them again, but they also refused to insure me again when it came to renewal time. I suspect that was their way of dealing with my complaint.

Hastings Direct are cheap, but awful. I was insured with them, and had to make two claims (both rear-end shunts, so not my fault). Had lots of trouble with them. They refused to give me a courtesy car unless I used their repairer, which I was unhappy with as they were not Merc specialists. They also messed the garage around with payment for the work when it was done, to the extent that the garage said they would not undertake further work with them. I wrote a letter of complaint to them as well, which was also met with no response.

Many years ago, I made a claim with Endsleigh, when my car was stolen by joyriders: seem to recall that was handled ok.

I have been with the AA several times, but don't think I had to claim. They would not give me a quote for my current car.

I'm with Direct Line at the moment. Very cheap quote, although they have been a bit funny about my no claims bonus: they seem to have a policy of not accepting renewal letters from brokers as evidence of no claims entitlement. Currently still trying to sort that one out, as the underwriter of my last policy (the dreadful Aviva) are refusing to issue a confirmatory letter, saying that is down to the broker. Direct Line say they will not accept a letter from a Broker etc.

theonewhosmokes · 31-08-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcro

I'm off to check NFU options and prices next week as they do have an agent here in Shetland. Always better to speak person to person and get the full details I think.

Many of the initially cheaper quotes were not quite as cheap after checking exacty what was covered and the price of the "extras".

Thanks for the very helpfull replies by the way.

NFU would not cover me for my 1999 C240 Sport as they said I was under 30 (I'm 27). The adviser said they would only cover low risks - so depending on which MB you have, you might get the same treatment as me.

oldcro · 31-08-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theonewhosmokes

NFU would not cover me for my 1999 C240 Sport as they said I was under 30 (I'm 27). The adviser said they would only cover low risks - so depending on which MB you have, you might get the same treatment as me.

Thanks for that, I am over 30 by a wide margin but will check with them if a C class and soon to be an E class is acceptable.

corned · 31-08-2009, 08:43 PM

I am fascinated by the staggering decline in the quality of service offered by Norwich Union. By the way, are they called Aviva nowadays?

In my XJS days no one could touch their quotes or their quality of cover. Not for me anyway. I always insured my car with them. Eventually I had the biggie accident and the XJS was no more. Norwich Union promptly offered me more than I had paid for it 5 years earlier, which I rejected (because you're always supposed to reject their first offer) and they upped the offer by another £500. I got about £5500 for a car I was sure they would offer less than £1500 for. I was amazed. They paid up almost immediately and provided a very courteous, professional and personal service throughout. My next premium was virtually unaffected too.

What ever happened to them?

29-08-2009, 07:24 PM	#1
oldcro Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Shetland Car: 2009 E350CDi Avantgarde Posts: 947	Car Insurance Does anyone have experience of the AA's insurance when it comes to making a claim? They are about the cheapest for me, but I wondered if they were any good if a claim needed to be made. Alternatively, has anyone an insurance company they would recommend? Im with Esure at present and the AA's quote was nearly £50 cheaper closely followed by Swinton and M&S.

29-08-2009, 08:37 PM	#5
theonewhosmokes Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, UK Car: Mercedes Benz C240 Sport W202 Posts: 69	Endsleigh Insurance have a good claims service. I used to be a sales manager for them and that was my selling point. And the fact that we had branches all over the UK - but they don't anymore so they're as good as any other now. My parents are insured with them and had to claim a couple of times and been very happy with the service. The received a replacement car and managed to claim their excess back. I currently insure my W202 with Sainsbury's. They have good customer service, but I hope never to experience their claims Paul __________________ C240 Sport Auto W202 http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/membe...s-my-w202.html

31-08-2009, 12:59 AM	#8
ringway Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wilmslow Cheshire Car: 2002 S210 320CDI Estate Sliver, Sprinter 313CDI LWB Cryptronic Gearbox! Omega 3.0 Elite Estate Posts: 2,207	I'm with MORE THAN for W210, Sprinter, Omega, House, Pet insurance and they ARE fantastic. I've been unlucky enough to have a few non-fault motor claims in the last couple of years and they pay up without any quibbling. Power cut, Mrs Ringway lit candle, tripped in the dark, candle damaged carpet = Paid. Bath leaked, kitchen ceiling collapsed. Water in kitchen, moved fridge to mop the water and damaged the floor doing so = Paid for bath, retiling, ceiling and associated works AND the new kitchen floor! They are excellent. AA were cheapest for me many years ago on the first year, but like so many other companies the second year premium increased even though we hadn't claimed. __________________ You look like I need a drink.

31-08-2009, 08:43 PM	#13
corned Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2008 Location: East Mids Car: 2005 S211 E320CDI Posts: 1,685	Norwich Union I am fascinated by the staggering decline in the quality of service offered by Norwich Union. By the way, are they called Aviva nowadays? In my XJS days no one could touch their quotes or their quality of cover. Not for me anyway. I always insured my car with them. Eventually I had the biggie accident and the XJS was no more. Norwich Union promptly offered me more than I had paid for it 5 years earlier, which I rejected (because you're always supposed to reject their first offer) and they upped the offer by another £500. I got about £5500 for a car I was sure they would offer less than £1500 for. I was amazed. They paid up almost immediately and provided a very courteous, professional and personal service throughout. My next premium was virtually unaffected too. What ever happened to them?

29-08-2009, 07:32 PM	#2
corned Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2008 Location: East Mids Car: 2005 S211 E320CDI Posts: 1,685	We use Liverpool Victoria, and have done for years and years. Me and Mrs C are both CSMA members so that helps, I admit. LV are happily a) great on competitive premiums, b) offer good coverage, and c) pretty good payers when required. Unfortunately we have had to test that part too, although not the motor insurance - this was household.

29-08-2009, 07:37 PM	#3
wemorgan Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Warwickshire Car: Audi A2, Lotus Elise Posts: 3,992	I've heard many good things about claiming through NFU.

29-08-2009, 08:26 PM	#4
Rayny Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hastings Car: W203 C240 Posts: 159	I've been fortunate enough to not have to make a claim for about 20 years. However , before I change insurers I will always ring the claims line and the customer service line for a quick chat. There's no guarantee that things would be the same if I had to use the services, but it gives me a clue as to what the service might be like if I did habve to use them. One quick word of advice, check what their maximum number of years no claims bonus is - otherwise you might leave them with less years NCB than you start with them.

29-08-2009, 10:10 PM	#6
oldcro Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Shetland Car: 2009 E350CDi Avantgarde Posts: 947	I'm off to check NFU options and prices next week as they do have an agent here in Shetland. Always better to speak person to person and get the full details I think. Many of the initially cheaper quotes were not quite as cheap after checking exacty what was covered and the price of the "extras". Thanks for the very helpfull replies by the way.

30-08-2009, 11:01 PM	#7
Dodge Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orpington Kent Car: CLK320 (W209) Posts: 36	Im with Hastings Direct now. No body could match them for cost.

31-08-2009, 02:05 AM	#9
ringway Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wilmslow Cheshire Car: 2002 S210 320CDI Estate Sliver, Sprinter 313CDI LWB Cryptronic Gearbox! Omega 3.0 Elite Estate Posts: 2,207	Re the home insurance quote above. You MUST have accidental damage cover to be able to claim for certain mishaps. My mum spilt some paint on the carpet a few weeks ago and the claim (with Chuchill) was rejected because no accidental cover was in place.

31-08-2009, 12:05 PM	#10
kusanku Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bristol Car: E320cdi Elegance Estate Posts: 314	Don't go near Norwich Union/Aviva. I had a dreadful time with them, and made two written complaints, neither of which received a response. Not that I would have gone with them again, but they also refused to insure me again when it came to renewal time. I suspect that was their way of dealing with my complaint. Hastings Direct are cheap, but awful. I was insured with them, and had to make two claims (both rear-end shunts, so not my fault). Had lots of trouble with them. They refused to give me a courtesy car unless I used their repairer, which I was unhappy with as they were not Merc specialists. They also messed the garage around with payment for the work when it was done, to the extent that the garage said they would not undertake further work with them. I wrote a letter of complaint to them as well, which was also met with no response. Many years ago, I made a claim with Endsleigh, when my car was stolen by joyriders: seem to recall that was handled ok. I have been with the AA several times, but don't think I had to claim. They would not give me a quote for my current car. I'm with Direct Line at the moment. Very cheap quote, although they have been a bit funny about my no claims bonus: they seem to have a policy of not accepting renewal letters from brokers as evidence of no claims entitlement. Currently still trying to sort that one out, as the underwriter of my last policy (the dreadful Aviva) are refusing to issue a confirmatory letter, saying that is down to the broker. Direct Line say they will not accept a letter from a Broker etc.

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