Tesco's Car Insurance - A Sorry Bunch

miltonskeen

Renewal due 13th Sept.

Get a letter in the post 13th August (stick the cash in the bank and earn a bit of interest will you?!)

£485 for next year

paid £395 for this year...

Aviva online, £340:money:

Rang tesco back...

Sorry sir, can do it for £405 though as your a valued customer.... !

I ask 'why the hell didnt you quote me that in the first place?!!!!!' Trying to rob £80 off me it seems! The bloody cheek of it!

Aviva deal it is for me then! :T:T:T

mikey72

£145 saving can't be bad.
(few less bottles of champagne at their office party this year)

huckster

Before you go for a policy with Aviva, do some research online. They are increasing getting a reputation for poor service, when you need their help, particulary when you need to claim.

If they appear to be the most competitive, it might be worth seeing whether you can obtain a similar rate with them through a decent local broker (not Swintons). Sometimes having a broker help deal with these companies, can be a godsend.

In regard to Tesco, their policy is currently underwritten and administered by UKI, part of RBS Insurance. RBS Insurance stable mates include Direct Line and Churchill. What I think you will find with these companies, similar to many others, is that often the first years Insurance includes an introductory discount. Then when the policy becomes due for renewal, with the loss of this discount and general increases, the premium goes up a lot. When you phone them, the telephone helpline staff are given authority to negotiate the renewal price, within certain limits, to try to maintain business.

mikey72

huckster wrote: »

Before you go for a policy with Aviva, do some research online. They are increasing getting a reputation for poor service, when you need their help, particulary when you need to claim.

If they appear to be the most competitive, it might be worth seeing whether you can obtain a similar rate with them through a decent local broker (not Swintons). Sometimes having a broker help deal with these companies, can be a godsend.

In regard to Tesco, their policy is currently underwritten and administered by UKI, part of RBS Insurance. RBS Insurance stable mates include Direct Line and Churchill. What I think you will find with these companies, similar to many others, is that often the first years Insurance includes an introductory discount. Then when the policy becomes due for renewal, with the loss of this discount and general increases, the premium goes up a lot. When you phone them, the telephone helpline staff are given authority to negotiate the renewal price, within certain limits, to try to maintain business.

So what comes next
"special price for today only"
"I'll just have to speak to my manager"

I use a broker (Swinton's, as my local branch is excellent) for specialist insurance, but car insurance should be easy enough to obtain without all the classic "double glazing" style pricing tricks.
It's not helping customer perception at the moment.

Quentin

huckster wrote: »

If they appear to be the most competitive, it might be worth seeing whether you can obtain a similar rate with them through a decent local broker......

Any "decent" local broker wouldn't assist you to take out an aviva policy.

A decent broker would steer you elsewhere based on what he knows about aviva "service"!

huckster

Quentin wrote: »

Any "decent" local broker wouldn't assist you to take out an aviva policy.

A decent broker would steer you elsewhere based on what he knows about aviva "service"!

Very true. But as we know, sometimes quality comes at a price and not all clients can afford to pay.

I was very alarmed when More Than recently tried to purchase Aviva's personal Insurance arm. Pilling sh*t on sh*t.

movilogo

Before you go for a policy with Aviva, do some research online. They are increasing getting a reputation for poor service, when you need their help, particulary when you need to claim.

The way they dealt with me recently, following my car was written off, is quite good.

They arranged recovery of car, provided courtesy car, paid market value of car and allow me to add new car in my current policy (they didn't lapse my policy following payment of written of car's value).

I'd rather say be wary of Admiral group, Swift Cover etc.

miltonskeen

huckster wrote: »

What I think you will find with these companies, similar to many others, is that often the first years Insurance includes an introductory discount. Then when the policy becomes due for renewal, with the loss of this discount and general increases, the premium goes up a lot. When you phone them, the telephone helpline staff are given authority to negotiate the renewal price, within certain limits, to try to maintain business.

Been with Tesco for 4 years though... they were the only company to recognise no claims discount on a motor bike when I wanted insurance on my first car.

What I dont understand is that if they can knock £80 off the price they sent me a letter about.... They were just trying it on to be cheeky imo. Plus as an existing customer I dont get the MOT or Service freebie being handed out to newbies.

huckster

miltonskeen wrote: »

What I dont understand is that if they can knock £80 off the price they sent me a letter about.... They were just trying it on to be cheeky imo. Plus as an existing customer I dont get the MOT or Service freebie being handed out to newbies.

Have you attempted to get a new business quote from Tesco. See if their system will allow it.

You are allowed to lapse the current policy and then take up a new policy with them to get a cheaper price, plus other benefits. I can't see how they can stop you.

Even if you don't trust them now, it would be interesting to note their current new business prices. It would also be interesting to note what premiums Direct Line are quoting. RBS Insurance has lost the Tesco contract to Fortis from October. Perhaps having lost the Tesco contract, RBS Insurance will look at making their Direct Line brand more competitive.

miltonskeen

Yeah I tried a new quote.... came out at the same price as their initial offer. Wonder if my partners name on the policy might change it?