Direct Line / Admiral car insurance

Supernova

Actually, one other thing came out of my conversation with Direct Line when I asked why they were so expensive. They mentioned a claim in 2005, which is within the 3 years that Admiral ask about.

I had completely forgotten about this, where I thought my car had been badly scratched, they opened a claim but I worked out it was superficial damage, have no idea what caused it, cleaned it up with T-Cut and cancelled the Claim. DL say there was no increase in premium or effect on NCB and I don't need to declare it to a new insurer.

Do I?

Cheers

magyar

Supernova wrote:

Actually, one other thing came out of my conversation with Direct Line when I asked why they were so expensive. They mentioned a claim in 2005, which is within the 3 years that Admiral ask about.

I had completely forgotten about this, where I thought my car had been badly scratched, they opened a claim but I worked out it was superficial damage, have no idea what caused it, cleaned it up with T-Cut and cancelled the Claim. DL say there was no increase in premium or effect on NCB and I don't need to declare it to a new insurer.

Do I?

Cheers

No, I don't think you need to declare it. If you'd had an accident, but not claimed, you would need to mention this, but since this is neither theft nor an accident, I think you're OK. Suggest someone like Astaroth might be more knowledgeable on this, though.

Astaroth

It really depends on the exact wording of the question.... if they say have you had any claims then the answer is no.... if they say have you had any accidents then the answer would depend on how the scratches occurred (accidental you have to declare, vandalism you dont) ..... if they ask any claimable occurrances claimed for or not then it would have to be a yes (but then I would say anyone who answered no would actually be lying anyway as everyone has some stone chips or light supermarket scratches or even just snagged fabric on seats etc)

Supernova

Astaroth wrote:

... if they say have you had any accidents then the answer would depend on how the scratches occurred (accidental you have to declare, vandalism you dont) .....

Is that for sure? When I spoke to DL originally I said I suspected vandalism.

Would that not increase risk?

layercake

Supernova wrote:

Been quoted £563 from Direct Line for a 2003 Seat Leon S including legal cover, protected NCB and hire car for 14 days. That will increase by about 10% as I have 3 points pending for speeding too. I'm 47.

Best quote from confused including the pending points is £407 from Admiral, so £200 cheaper.

Worth it?

I don't think I get the hire car for loss or w/o - it came in useful when shopping for a new car after my car was written off 4 years ago and Direct Line were pretty OK to deal with then.

Ta

I used to get the cheapest quotes off admiral stayed with them for 3 years. Had a break in and tried to claim, they slowed the process down as much as possible and left me without a car for weeks (even though I paid for guaranteed c-car). They tried to write my car off for a few hundred £ worth of damage (vastly undervalued my car and overestimated the damages) I stopped the claim in the end put the car right myself. Cost me £300.

I would never go back with them as I know from dealing with them when something goes wrong, that you are literally throwing you money away.

Supernova

A salutary tale indeed. I shall say you told me so if, God forbid, the worst happens ;-)

Supernova

Well, I went with Admiral in the end. The vandalism claim didn't count, so I saved about £200 over DL, £260 with a higher voluntary excess.

I'm using the car less this year, since you can't park anywhere near a London Tube station these days, so driving once a week makes an accident somewhat less likely in theory.

Thanks for everyone's comments!

Supernova

And so it begins...

Got a letter asking for a photocopy of my licence although I explained fully that the 3 points I told them about were pending and not confirmed. Hmm...fair enough-ish.

But...I specifically asked them whether the settlement of a write-off claim would signal the end of the hire car period. They said no, it was guaranteed for 21 days. Wrong - it's in the small print.

I also asked if you could use the car on odd strike days if you were only covered for Domestic. I was surprised that they said yes but another one of their staff contradicted it on another day. Can you get temporary cover for a day?

I mean I'm supposed to be honest with them and they just seem to bend the truth, presumably to get their commission?