Go Compare's Insurance feedback

FWIW, here is how I use all these comparison websites (and the Internet in general, come to that).

First off, I *always* start from this site. Never mind "simples, because it is only a fur wound" -- because of the links to many comparison websites, this site is the best single point of contact to them all.

Then, when completing the pages *never* put any information in that can identify you. My initial aim is to get a ballpark figure, and to do that you don't need to expose all your personal details.

When looking for car insurance you can describe the car's make, model and year without giving registration details (just tick car not yet bought). When looking for home insurance again you can put in details that give an equivalent description of your home, without identifying it. So when it asks for a postcode nip to maps.google.co.uk, enter your post code: AB1 2CD, and then enter alternatives that are near (so AB1 2CC will be near). Use that, and they won't know where you live, but the insurance quote will be very similar to what you really want.

My name is normally Mr An Other; my DoB is normally 01/01/1970 (I wish I was that young!), and all other details will not normally uniquely identify me.

Only once you are happy with the quote you have got can you either go back to the comparison site and enter your proper data, or -- probably better -- go directly to the lowest two providers and get them to fight it out for your business.

A note about email addresses. I *never* give them my normal email address, until I know I have the provider I need. Up to that point do a search for "temporary email" -- easy if you use Firefox, no idea how easy it is with IE as I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole (and anyway I use Linux, so it won't work! :-). Then choose one of the temporary email providers (eg 10minutemail.com) to give you an email address you can use.

If you are still nervous about what the comparison sites have on you go to your browser's cookie settings and delete all cookies relating to the comparison sites you have used. That way, the next time you go to them they won't pick up that it was you who was there last time (yes, they will have your IP address, but it could have been dished out to another BT user or whoever your ISP is -- they don't know that).

Anyway, for what it's worth this is my guide to keeping your data safe.

Hope it helps.

Money Saving Dude.

Just tried moneysupermarket and gocompare!

Gocompare prices started at twice those on moneysupermarket.

This was given as down to value of car - we took that figure from moneysupermarket's price.

EDIT: I declared a no-fault, no cost to my insurance company on both sites. However, the gocompare site required me to input a cost.

Maybe that caused the hughe difference. stupid - it cost my company nothing.

I used GoCompare for a car quote. The RIAS quote was £680 but on their own website the quote was £490. All the details were identical, even the excess amounts. Someone's making a fortune out of these comparison websites. My lesson would be to take the quote you like off a comparison website and then go direct to Insurance Co. website.