Admiral or Elephant: Which do you think is better to go with?

Fait_accompli

Hiya, I just wanted to pick everyone's brains over car insurance.

I've done all the searches etc and have managed to knock 400 quid off my car insurance; both Admiral and Elephant have calculated the same price (to the penny) online.

Having called them both up to ask if they could be any more competitive, each time I was politely, but firmly told that the price produced is the absolute lowest.

Thus I'm in a conundrum - well, a nice one for once

Does anyone know of any reason to favour one over the other? I think Admiral own Elephant, therefore would this be reason enough shuffle in that direction? I've had my car insurance with Elephant previously and found it to be very helpful so should I stick with the idea of 'the better the devil you know'?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Merci beaucoup! x x x

xzibit

They are the same company. Doesn't really matter, and they're not going to lower their price because they know they're going to get your business anyway.

Fait_accompli

I know neither will lower the policy, I just wondered if anyone had any personal experiences to share.

Anyway, I've opted for Elephant at 593.60 - I can't believe it's smashed my Diamond policy (1005.01) to smitherines just because it's December! I'll get back around 600 pounds from Diamond which'll equal paying off Elephant plus I get six extra months until October (Diamond runs out in April, Elephant in October - they're both 10 month policies) for nowt.

mattymoo

Fait_accompli wrote:

I know neither will lower the policy, I just wondered if anyone had any personal experiences to share.

Anyway, I've opted for Elephant at 593.60 - I can't believe it's smashed my Diamond policy (1005.01) to smitherines just because it's December! I'll get back around 600 pounds from Diamond which'll equal paying off Elephant plus I get six extra months until October (Diamond runs out in April, Elephant in October - they're both 10 month policies) for nowt.

Are you sure about getting the £600 back from your existing firm. If you cancel they will calculate the premium return according to a sliding scale that should be shown in their policy book or schedule somewhere. You have had the policy 8 months (assuming it is a 12 month policy) so 2/3rds is used. Even on that basis the return would only be around £333. However, the insurers scale is likely to be around 75-80% so you may only get back around £200.

Oh, and if you have made any claims, they will not return any premium.

Fait_accompli

mattymoo wrote:

Are you sure about getting the £600 back from your existing firm. If you cancel they will calculate the premium return according to a sliding scale that should be shown in their policy book or schedule somewhere. You have had the policy 8 months (assuming it is a 12 month policy) so 2/3rds is used. Even on that basis the return would only be around £333. However, the insurers scale is likely to be around 75-80% so you may only get back around £200.

Oh, and if you have made any claims, they will not return any premium.

Cheers matty - it was a 10 month policy that I've had for under six months. I calculated c.400 back, but the guy at Diamond estimated 650 (where he got that refund figure from I don't know!). He didn't say if this was before or after the admin charge deduction so I'll say approx 600 to be safe. I haven't claimed or anything like that so I'll definately be getting a refund.

I paid 3.31 per day on my diamond policy which was for 304 days. I've 128 days of that remaining so 424ish minus admin charge = 379.

My Elephant policy is 593.60 for 304 days which equals 1.95 per day.

So even if I'm only returned 379 (which would be the absolute minimum) I'm still a happy bunny as it's saved be a few hundred anyway...serves me right for having such a fast car in the first place for it to be so expensive

Astaroth

As far as I am aware they are identical behind the scenes so should make no difference at all which of the brands you go for after reading the policybooks