The Great Hastings Direct Rip Off!

twincamms

stugib wrote: »

Most insurance doesn't work on individuals' risk though. You've made it more individualised by taking a telematics policy and got a reduce premium in return.





Then you shouldn't have a problem with your kids proving they don't drive like Lewis Hamilton then!

They have proved it but you're missing the point. With a Bull-E-Matics box you get ripped off again.

For example, I paid £2600 up front for my son. Conditions are you get an online dashboard to monitor your driving. Every Sunday you are rated Very Poor, Poor, Average, Good, Very Good. Since last October he has achieved Good every week bar two when he achieved Average. Is he rewarded? No. If however, he speeds, accelerates too harshly or corners too fast he will be sent a fine at the end of the month, costing more money. So it's win-win for the insurer.

I called them and asked what was his reward for good driving, they said a cheaper up front premium and a better discount if he stays with them next year.

October the box goes and I shall pay whatever it cost, should have done it this time, I didn't realise this was another scam. The worst part of this box is the 11pm to 5am curfew, absolute nonsense...................

twincamms

roonaldo wrote: »

Why on earth would you pay that and give money to these "stealers" that you detest so much? a bus pass is cheaper. It is correct that the premium should reflect the risk. Boy racers arent called that for nothing.

No 1: Bus passes are for peasants and pensioners.

No 2: My kids aren't Boy Racers.

No 3: I pay the Insurance Stealers because it's a legal requirement.

No 4: Anything else?

gik

twincamms wrote: »

You've never changed a car mid term? Assigned a private plate? Had to phone a call centre? In forty years? You must lead a very sheltered life.................

No, I plan ahead. MSE before this site

gik

twincamms wrote: »

Agreed GB but these guys like to troll so humour them it's fun they haven't realised that a moan has now turned into a mickey take...............

You and gingerbob are actually taking the p1ss out of yourselves.10/10 Thanks etc. Why not let your posts stand alone on their own merits?

rudekid48

twincamms wrote: »

They have proved it but you're missing the point. With a Bull-E-Matics box you get ripped off again.

For example, I paid £2600 up front for my son. Conditions are you get an online dashboard to monitor your driving. Every Sunday you are rated Very Poor, Poor, Average, Good, Very Good. Since last October he has achieved Good every week bar two when he achieved Average. Is he rewarded? No. If however, he speeds, accelerates too harshly or corners too fast he will be sent a fine at the end of the month, costing more money. So it's win-win for the insurer.

I called them and asked what was his reward for good driving, they said a cheaper up front premium and a better discount if he stays with them next year.

October the box goes and I shall pay whatever it cost, should have done it this time, I didn't realise this was another scam. The worst part of this box is the 11pm to 5am curfew, absolute nonsense...................

I agree with you about curfews - they're not good. The vast majority of the telematics policies for young drivers don't include this so I'm guessing that you've gone with someone like iKube or Autosaint.


Most of them do take into account driving between those times though and it will have a negative impact on driving scores. The reason for this is simple, for young drivers there are more fatalities and serious injuries from accidents that take place during this time, so the idea is to discourage young drivers from using their cars during those hours.


Obviously not every driver is the same and people work hours that mean they can't avoid these times so I'm a bit confused why you chose a policy with a curfew if you knew your son would be driving at those times?


Again, the benefits are different from product to product, some (like the Co-op young driver policy) review driving behaviour quarterly and will give additional discounts at the time for good driving, others (like Carrot) give regular rewards for good driving and some give all of the discount up front on the assumption that just having the box fitted will make the driver more aware of their driving behaviour.


So although I agree that curfews are bad, I don't think that it is bad to discourage young drivers from using their cars during what are (statistically) the most dangerous times. If just one life is saved by someone's kid taking the bus or a taxi instead then it's got to be worth it.

twincamms

I don't disagree with anything you've written there.

My only gripe is that insurers shouldn't be able to impose such stringent conditions when they've taken so much money off you and that it's weighted in their favour if you do wrong your penalised but if you do well you're not rewarded.

For example, I think it's something like a £15 fine every time you break the speed limit. Say my son did this three times in a month he'd be fined £45 at the end of the month. But how about if he didn't once break the speed limit (as he hasn't done to date) this month, then the insurer reimbursed £20 back into his account as recognition. Now that's what I call fair..............

GingerBob_3

rudekid48 wrote: »

If just one life is saved by someone's kid taking the bus or a taxi instead then it's got to be worth it.

I'm totally against the use of these spy-in-the-car systems for various reasons, but that's an interesting comment.

So how about raising the driving age to, say, 21? If by so doing just one life is saved .... What do you think?

twincamms

twincamms wrote: »

I don't disagree with anything you've written there.

My only gripe is that insurers shouldn't be able to impose such stringent conditions when they've taken so much money off you and that it's weighted in their favour if you do wrong you're penalised but if you do well you're not rewarded.

For example, I think it's something like a £15 fine every time you break the speed limit. Say my son did this three times in a month he'd be fined £45 at the end of the month. But how about if he didn't once break the speed limit (as he hasn't done to date) this month, then the insurer reimbursed £20 back into his account as recognition. Now that's what I call fair..............

Dark side of hidden black box car insurance charges

November 19, 2013 7:29 am / Leave a Comment / admin
Black box car insurance is driving down the cost of cover – but some motorists are caught out over the terms and charges of fitting the technology in their vehicle.
Car insurance firms will not simply fit a box to a car and let drivers go without carrying out a number of document checks.A number of hidden charges need to be considered before fitting the device – especially if drivers are thinking about changing their car during the life of the policy.
In some cases, fitters and insurers charge fees for that can add to the cost of cheaper car insurance, including:

• Charges of £30 to £100 for missing appointments for fitting the telematics device

• Fees of £30 to £45 for failing to provide a valid driving licence, proof of no claims discount, a vehicle registration document and test certificate. Drivers without these documents may have their policy cancelled

• Payments of £50 to £210 for cancelling a policy before the full term

• Removing the telematics boxes can cost £50 to £120

• Switching the telematics device to another car can cost from £40 to £140

A new survey has also revealed that the take-up of black box technology in cars has soared by 600% in just two years.
In 2011, only two insurance firms were offering the devices. This year, drivers can pick from 14 telematics packages.
Mike Powell, of financial information firm Defaqto, which compiled the figures, said: “The growth in the number of telematics products in the past two years has been dramatic and we expect to see more of these types of products being developed. While this is good news for young drivers seeking more affordable car insurance by driving carefully, there are a series of factors that consumers need to be aware of before purchasing a policy.
“Although understanding the policy cover is important, it is the potential fees that policyholders may have to pay, particularly if they sell their car or terminate the policy early, which should also be considered.”

rudekid48

GingerBob wrote: »

I'm totally against the use of these spy-in-the-car systems for various reasons, but that's an interesting comment.

So how about raising the driving age to, say, 21? If by so doing just one life is saved .... What do you think?

That's something completely different, insurers do not set the minimum driving age.


What they can do is not offer insurance to drivers under 21. There are a lot of insurers that won't offer cover to young drivers so personally, I don't see a problem when the ones that do try to have some influence on safety. Even if the motives for doing so are financial, if the end result is fewer deaths/disabling injuries then I'm all for it.

rudekid48

twincamms wrote: »

Dark side of hidden black box car insurance charges

November 19, 2013 7:29 am / Leave a Comment / admin
Black box car insurance is driving down the cost of cover – but some motorists are caught out over the terms and charges of fitting the technology in their vehicle.
Car insurance firms will not simply fit a box to a car and let drivers go without carrying out a number of document checks.A number of hidden charges need to be considered before fitting the device – especially if drivers are thinking about changing their car during the life of the policy.
In some cases, fitters and insurers charge fees for that can add to the cost of cheaper car insurance, including:

• Charges of £30 to £100 for missing appointments for fitting the telematics device

• Fees of £30 to £45 for failing to provide a valid driving licence, proof of no claims discount, a vehicle registration document and test certificate. Drivers without these documents may have their policy cancelled

• Payments of £50 to £210 for cancelling a policy before the full term

• Removing the telematics boxes can cost £50 to £120

• Switching the telematics device to another car can cost from £40 to £140

A new survey has also revealed that the take-up of black box technology in cars has soared by 600% in just two years.
In 2011, only two insurance firms were offering the devices. This year, drivers can pick from 14 telematics packages.
Mike Powell, of financial information firm Defaqto, which compiled the figures, said: “The growth in the number of telematics products in the past two years has been dramatic and we expect to see more of these types of products being developed. While this is good news for young drivers seeking more affordable car insurance by driving carefully, there are a series of factors that consumers need to be aware of before purchasing a policy.
“Although understanding the policy cover is important, it is the potential fees that policyholders may have to pay, particularly if they sell their car or terminate the policy early, which should also be considered.”

This kind of takes things full circle to where this thread started (insert smiley face).


This is exactly why you should read the terms of the policy carefully before purchase. The devices cost money and so do the people that go out and fit them so someone has to pay. Most telematics insurers will swallow that cost AND give the upfront discounts on the assumption that the policy will run for 12 months. If it doesn't, or someone doesn't turn up for an appointment then they are left with the cost of the box and the installers' time anyway - so guess who'll they'll go after for that...


It's all easily avoided up front though - just read what you're buying and nobody gets stung for any unexpected charges..