Direct Line auto-renewal shocker
mike004
Posts: 124 Forumite
I have been with Direct Line for about 15 yrs.
I am over 50, 9 yrs no claim, drive a cheap 1.0 litre car worth about £1.5k, and live in a low crime area. My insurance is 3rd party only.
Each year I auto-renew and the premiums climb steadily each year. Current auto-renewal quote is £307.
I got a shock when I went on the DL web site, entered my details and got a quote for £157. For comprehensive cover!
Planning to phone DL and haggle. But can't get through at the moment. Their callback system said 2-5 mins. It is now nearly an hour.
I am over 50, 9 yrs no claim, drive a cheap 1.0 litre car worth about £1.5k, and live in a low crime area. My insurance is 3rd party only.
Each year I auto-renew and the premiums climb steadily each year. Current auto-renewal quote is £307.
I got a shock when I went on the DL web site, entered my details and got a quote for £157. For comprehensive cover!
Planning to phone DL and haggle. But can't get through at the moment. Their callback system said 2-5 mins. It is now nearly an hour.
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Comments
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martinthebandit wrote: »So you have been over paying for your car insurance for the last 14 years?
Better late than Never I guess to reduce it"It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"
G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP0 -
I expect DL will say that the web quote is for new customers only who apply via the web site.
Must phone them once again, maybe someone is in...0 -
My insurance is 3rd party only.
That is part of your problem. There are so few people buying 3rd party nowadays that the cross subsidy pool is so low that its actually cheaper in most cases to buy comprehensive.I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.0 -
Just back from haggling...
£268 comp
£251 3rd party
Still way over the web quote (£157).
Might be best to terminate the current policy. Then sign up as a new customer via the web!
Loyalty does not pay in this game, it seems.0 -
That is part of your problem. There are so few people buying 3rd party nowadays that the cross subsidy pool is so low that its actually cheaper in most cases to buy comprehensive.
This.
And the fact that out of the few people buying third party, most do so because they are high risk so you are putting yourself in a higher rated pool.
I'd look around and cancel/restart if necessary. I'd certainly query as to why their online quote is a lot lower though, even just out of curiosity as to what they come up with.0 -
OP, if you are shocked to find that loyalty does not pay, or that comprehensive can often be cheaper than 3rd party, I would suggest you read the guide to cheaper car insurance on the main MSE site.
I don't understand why you still seem bent on carrying on with Direct Line. You don't mention whether you have tried the comparison sites either now or over the past 15 years, but it would make obvious sense to find out what other insurers can offer.0 -
I've been a DL customer for a few years now, when I renew I always do it over the phone and they always match the web site price as they can see it on their system.
But to be fair last year the renewal quote was a few pounds cheaper than the web site.0 -
OP, if you are shocked to find that loyalty does not pay, or that comprehensive can often be cheaper than 3rd party, I would suggest you read the guide to cheaper car insurance on the main MSE site.
I don't understand why you still seem bent on carrying on with Direct Line. You don't mention whether you have tried the comparison sites either now or over the past 15 years, but it would make obvious sense to find out what other insurers can offer.
Agree with Dauphin. ^^^ Don't know about other Insurance companies, but Direct Line don't give a stuff about 'loyalty.' My oldest sister and the second from oldest were both with them for 10-13 years for their pets, their contents cover, their car insurance, and their breakdown cover. 3 years ago, they both got quotes for their car insurance for around £55-60, after being a third less the year before. (Same as OP; been with them over a decade, both middle aged, no claims etc...)
There was no reason for this rise at all. And when they asked why it had gone up from £38 to £55/56, they said 'that's just the price this year.' They tried haggling too, but the best Direct Line would offer was 3 to 4 pounds off each. They both said 'I will leave then,' and Direct Line basically said 'bye then!' So they moved to another company, and the car insurance dropped by half.
I hope Direct Line go under, because they don't give a stuff about their loyal customers, and deserve to lose ALL their custom IMO.cooeeeeeeeee :j :wave:0 -
fierystormcloud wrote: »
I hope Direct Line go under, because they don't give a stuff about their loyal customers, and deserve to lose ALL their custom IMO.
Please enlighten us as to which insurers do give a stuff about loyal customers. I'm guessing it'll be a very short list.0
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