Car insurance renewal higher than on comparison websites?

dfh4np

Some advice on renewing :

Had the car insurance renewal in for this year for £298, 9yrs plus no claims, no points, driving 20 years plus. Last years premium was £235. Been with current insurance company for 4 years.

Went on to the comparison sites and my existing insurer is the cheapest at £220 for the exact same cover, tried direct on their own website and its the same at £220?

There are 13 quotes from alternative companies that are better than the £298 on the renewal.

Should I :

(A) Phone up my existing insurers and ask them to match their website premium/ last years premium or lose the business.

(B) Renew with existing insurer at the lower premium through the comparison website.

(C) Renew with existing insurer at the lower premium through the insurers own website.

(D) Take a policy out with another insurer for the existing insurer punishing my loyalty.


Thanks


dfh101

Jamie_Carter

This is very common. They hope that people will just renew rather than shopping around.

I would phone them up. But if they won't match the price over the phone, then cancel, and start again on line.

agrinnall

As Jamie says, ringing them up is your best chance of getting the lower premium. However, if they won't renew at the low price they may not allow you to take out a policy at the new customer rate (some insurers do allow this and some don't), in which case decline the renewal and go with one of the other insurers who are closer to the lower price - although make sure you are comparing like with like, comparison site prices often have different excesses and things like courtesy car and legal cover may or may not be included.

Jamie_Carter

agrinnall wrote: »

As Jamie says, ringing them up is your best chance of getting the lower premium. However, if they won't renew at the low price they may not allow you to take out a policy at the new customer rate (some insurers do allow this and some don't), in which case decline the renewal and go with one of the other insurers who are closer to the lower price - although make sure you are comparing like with like, comparison site prices often have different excesses and things like courtesy car and legal cover may or may not be included.

A friend of mine was in the exact same situation last week, and they did phone the insurance company, and were told that they couldn't give the lower price over the phone. So they should cancel, and then start a new policy with the same company.

As you say some may not allow this, but they will lose a customer if they don't, so most will.