Aviva, Bell or Churchill for car insurance?

2cb

They're all offering pretty much the same quote for the same cover. They all do the standard scams like auto renewal. Is there anything to choose between them? Looking at the quotes up to £100 more, it's still the same groups quoting, just rebranded and with extras that I don't need. Is there any point in paying more?

2cb

wales100 wrote: »

http://star-ratings.defaqto.com/motor-insurance

Thanks, but as far as I can tell that site just compares the features that they offer, it doesn't say anything about their service. It also doesn't compare all the catches like auto renew that companies hide in their small print. I can't see the point of the defaqto site really, it only compares the points that are easy to find out anyway. I've already compared my chosen quotes, and they are all equivalent for features. I want to know if one of them is better in terms of service.

gazza975526570

I would say no to Aviva then if your going on service!

2cb

Yeah, but are they any worse than the others? I'm currently with Bell, and the only time they've had to send me any documents they've completely boogered it up. Doesn't inspire confidence.

Quentin

None of them reach the average ratings in this Which? survey (service is included in the ratings), and none get recommended (Bell aren't included, but their "parent", admiral is):

http://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/reviews-ns/car-insurance/whichrecommended-providers/

2cb

That's a useful link, thanks. Never thought to try which.

cte1111

We decided a few years ago never to use Aviva again after they made a burglary a lot more traumatic by completing screwing up our claim (taking forever to do anything, only people could speak to were call centre staff who were reading off a script, despite having 'new for old' cover replaced my top of the range laptop with a basic model).

The only way we got our claim resolved in the end was to put in a formal complaint then start to escalate it to the regulators as they were ignoring the legal timelines / procedures for complain resolution.

My car keys were stolen at the same time and RAC insurance were 100% better - assigned to one claim handler in the UK who made sure any problems were dealt with and actually seemed to care that everything was sorted out.

I've never used Bell or Hastings, so can't comment on their service, I expect others will be along later than can. On service, I would recommend Liverpool Victoria, but not Sheila's Wheels.

InsideInsurance

The Admiral group (including Bell) have been ok in my experience. Their renewal premiums are always high and they always instantly knock 20% off by you calling them which irritates me.

My claim with them was initially handled ok even without using their approved repairer but we then got into a bit of a fight with the A/C that stopped working during/ after the crash with them saying their engineer hadnt looked at it but couldnt see how it would have been damaged in the crash and that I'd have to pay for an engineers report that would be refundable if it stated it was accident related.

Thankfully the VW garage found a valve had broken and given it was only a couple of quid to fix they did it as a guesture of goodwill to save further inspections etc.

Have a complaint about Aviva with the FOS so not going to have too much good to say about them

Churchill and the other Direct Line Group brands I cannot really comment on given I have former working relations with them

2cb

Big thumbs down for Aviva then. Oh dear, I've got life cover with them. At least I won't have to deal with them in the event of a claim though :-)
Looks like LV get good reports. They are £45 more than the others, I'll have to think about that.

Quentin

2cb wrote: »

Looks like LV get good reports. They are £45 more than the others, I'll have to think about that.

Check out what their quote is via topcashback - they pay £20.20 cashback at present, though don't know if this is reflected in an increased premium.

2cb

Checked topcashback, now the decision is even harder :-) £20 cashback from LV, £50 from Churchill or £65 from Aviva. Now Aviva is £90 cheaper than LV. That's quite a lot to pay for good service, especially when it's unlikely I'll even need to call them. Hmmm.