Car Insurance - change of address fee

crystalcag

I am looking for new car insurance (it runs out today) and already have a headache. Pretty depressing trawling through what look like good quotes only to discover they are actually not ... when I look them up on here and people seem to have terrible experiences with most insurance companies.

It's just occurred to me that we will be moving in (hopefully) a couple of months and I was wondering if admin fees are always charged for a change of address. Any tips on how to avoid big fees?

Quentin

Some companies don't charge admin fees for changes made online eg swiftcover, aviva.

Though address changes usually involve premium changes (as well as admin charges).

Check that your search for low admin charges is cost effective when taking into account the premium bottom line.

dunstonh

when I look them up on here and people seem to have terrible experiences with most insurance companies.

Look on the internet for any major company and you will find bad things said. That is the nature of the internet.

I was wondering if admin fees are always charged for a change of address.

No. There are two models used. One takes the cost of admin out of their premium and charges is explicitly when you create an admin task. The other includes the cost of the admin in their premium so you pay extra each year whether you create admin tasks or not.

Any tips on how to avoid big fees?

Most admin fees are not big. However, some are. So, just eliminate those that you feel charge too much. However, be wary that the premium increase is not bigger than the admin fee you are trying to avoid.

crystalcag

Thanks Quentin. I just phoned OneCall - just out of interest to see how much they charge and it was £55!

Posted that before your reply dunstonh - thanks for your help. I've been here for about 3 hours now weighing up the pros and cons of various companies. I wonder how I am ever going to choose!

Quentin

You should do dummy quotes with your new address to see if your chosen insurer will cover you at the new property when you move. (Though this isn't foolproof, as it will be what they say at the time of the change that counts rather than what they say today).

If the insurer won't offer cover at the new address then you will have to cancel the policy and start again with a new one.

crystalcag

thanks - good advice! I'll try that

Lord_Baltimore

crystalcag wrote: »

when I look them up on here and people seem to have terrible experiences with most insurance companies.

Look on the internet for any major company and you will find bad things said. That is the nature of most insurance companies.

I was wondering if admin fees are always charged for a change of address.

There are two models used. One craftily supplements the premium it has already charged you with costs that you probably weren't expecting and the other includes everything in the premium from the get go with no additional costs just because you've done something in your life like move house.

Any tips on how to avoid big fees?

Admin fees are daylight robbery and can amount to as much as your weekly food bill. Eliminate all those companies that charge these fees. You can still get a decent deal as insurance companies have to remain competitive.

With apologies to dunstonh. There are 2 sides to every coin.

kingstreet

FWIW my CSIS Drive policy with Zurich is not the cheapest, but monthly premiums and administration are both fee-free.

http://www.csis.co.uk/eligibility/

I don't know if you are eligible for CSIS, but there are other insurers offering similar options.

dunstonh

With apologies to dunstonh. There are 2 sides to every coin.

Yet you support the less transparent model where everyone pays not the one that charges explicitly only those that create the work.