First Direct Car Insurance 10% guarantee

Former_MSE_Wendy

We've included this promotion in our weekly email, and whilst it looks good on paper we're not sure it's good in practice.

Please let us know if you've tried to use this offer and whether it delivered savings others couldn't

Did you save 10% on your cover or were there too many caveats to make it worth while?

Thanks

CornishJon

It worked for me last year when I renewed. The cheapest quote I had turned out to be my renewal quote from my existing company. I phoned up First Direct and they beat my renewal quote by 10% there and then. I had to then send proof of my quote in the post.
The missus was with First Direct as well and had an accident and we have had to claim on her insurance. It was quite a slow process getting the car back. It went to the bodyshop the same day as the accident and the repair wasn't authorised until about 6 or 7 weeks later. We got by fine with just my car so it wasn't a problem for us - others would see this as a major inconvenience - particularly if it's the only car in the household!

Just my tuppence worth!!

ignorami

I used this deal when they offered it a couple of years ago.

They waited almost two months before requesting any proof of renewal quote (They had previously given no indication proof was required, and when sending through all my details, had said everything was fine and they had beaten my renewal.)

Of course after all that time, I no longer had the quote, and was threatened with cancellation of my insurance if I didn't increase my payment to their standard rate. This proved to me significantly more than my original renewal quote.

First direct were uninterested, passing me off to the insurance company who actually provide the cover on their behalf. Staff at the insurance company were both unfriendly and extremely unhelpful.



(* Though I didn't have the renewal quote, I was able to provide a fresh quote from my previous insurer, which exactly matched the figure I originally quoted, but they wouldn't allow that either.)

blueghost

Didnt work for me, my renewal was £1800 (cheapest I've got bar stupid £3000 excess ones) through footman james (who were using equity red star), tried firstdirect who also use equity red star and said I wasn't valid, no reason given

mikey72

I've always found a lot better then 10% less at renewal by shopping around, so doesn't work for me.
Direct lines premiums have always been expensive for me too, so their renewal probably wouldn't be competive for the next year.

MilkyJoe7

It says they'll beat any WRITTEN renewal. What does this mean exactly? Can I just print off my online Swiftcover quote and mail it to them?

Quentin

MilkyJoe7 wrote: »

It says they'll beat any WRITTEN renewal. What does this mean exactly? Can I just print off my online Swiftcover quote and mail it to them?

They aren't offering to beat quotes, just renewals.

MilkyJoe7

Quentin wrote: »

They aren't offering to beat quotes, just renewals.

Yes OK sorry, I mean my RENEWAL. Online renewal. Can I just print it out?

scoobydru

A word of warning to all MSE users.

I received 10% off renewal with First Direct last year. First Direct customer service is fantastic!

However, your car insurance and any subsequent claims are through Equity Red Star.

Their customer service is appalling. If you have to make a claim, they are a joke. They are incompetent, do not return calls etc etc.

While I appreciate people are more likely to complain than commend, please save yourself some aggro and do not use them.

Google "reviewcentre equity red star" for example of customer service.

Only by writing to the underwriter Lloyds was my simple claim resolved (3rd party insurer accepted liability on day one).

Quentin

MilkyJoe7 wrote: »

Yes OK sorry, I mean my RENEWAL. Online renewal. Can I just print it out?

Yes. (How else can you do it?)

Premier_2

Thought I'd include ther terms of the offer.

Subject to the requested cover falling within the underwriter's normal underwriting criteria. Available through Equity Direct Broking Limited. This is also subject to a minimum £100 damage, fire and theft excess and a minimum renewal premium of £200 comprehensive cover (£120 non comprehensive). Qualifying customers will be offered a Car Insurance renewal quotation at least 10% (or 15% for second and subsequent policies) lower than their current insurer's invited renewal premium, on as close to equivalent terms as the underwriter makes available subject to the customer providing sufficient evidence of their current insurer's invited renewal premium. The evidence must show renewal date and premium, vehicle registration number, cover type, excess, no claims bonus (and if protected or not), type of use, number of additional drivers and claims/convictions. The offer is open to new customers only. Policy holders must be aged between 21 and 79 years old and named drivers between 19 and 79 years old. It does not apply to first direct Car Insurance policies underwritten by Equity Red Star which are due for renewal.

http://www2.firstdirect.com/1/2/insurance/car-insurance

Unfortunately it didn't work for me. I didn't qualify as my renewal was for just under £200.
First Direct quoted me about £350 :eek:

Eventually got a price of £185 (and improved cover) from another insurer using a comparison site.