Comparison sites

Gromitt

Here's something I just don't quite understand:

If I request a quote direct from a specific insurer, its £294.58
If I use a comparison site like Confused, the same insurer is £284.99 and travelling to the insurers website and checking the details, everything is the same as it was when I visited directly.
Then using Comparethemeerkat, the same insurer is £274.99 (details the same again)
Then I use Tesco compare and its now £245. I used the "Amend Policy" button to check every page and confirmed the cover and excesses, and they are all the same as what I entered when I visited directly.

What gives? I've checked a few cashback sites, and they all say "Upto £40, depending on policy", and of course are never guaranteed.

Do comparison sites really get that much kickback?

[BTW, My insurance renewal quote was £379 from the same provider!]

huckster

Yes they do all vary, as the premiums rates can change by the hour.

It is the same with anything. I do the same with airline flight tickets. Check with various Travel Agents, flight broker and directly. Sometimes going direct is cheaper and sometimes not.

If you are happy that the terms are the same, then go with the cheapest.

mikey72

huckster wrote: »

Yes they do all vary, as the premiums rates can change by the hour.

It is the same with anything. I do the same with airline flight tickets. Check with various Travel Agents, flight broker and directly. Sometimes going direct is cheaper and sometimes not.

If you are happy that the terms are the same, then go with the cheapest.

So why is it if you go back the next day, the prices can still be exactly the same, with the same difference between the comparison sites?
That would suggest the premiums don't vary, just the discounts offered through the various sites, which are consistent.

I always go through the comparison sites, find the one I want, then go through a cashback site. 99% of the time I get paid out, and end up with the best overall price.

InsideInsurance

Insurers do also vary the product, default options and simply the price by distribution channel. Some are a percentage difference others have a totally different pricing structure to represent either a difference in the customer behaviours via that channel or a strategic consideration

forgotmyname

Did you compare charges for change of car or address etc for each quote though?

Maybe they have 2 choices. £100 premium and changes cost £50 a time or £200 premium and changes are free.

Admin fees?

carl5000

This is why Direct Line are so keen to push the fact that they don't appear on comparison sites. I heard the other day the they apparently spend about 84 million pounds per year on advertising!

InsideInsurance

Think £84m would be more for all their brands than just DL, though a lions share will go to DL with Churchill a bit behind