Bell Car (Admiral Group) Car Insurance?

_Aly_

Hi All

Hoping someone else has experience or some insight for me.

Doing the comparisons for my first insurance renewal and Bell is coming up pretty cheap- but has the 3 month black box. Reading the T&C's it's pretty vague on what exactly will drive your premiums up.

bell.co.uk

Does anyone have experience or know-how of what will drive the premiums up? The last thing I want to do is switch provider and them hike up the premiums while I'm tied into a contract.

I'm confident I'm a pretty safe driver (people laugh at my 'granny driving) I don't do much mileage and I rarely drive out late (chance would be a fine thing...) but from reading around I'm a bit worried about:

• I live in a residential area but there's signs everywhere marking it as a 'red zone' apparently there's a lot of accidents along the main road I live on? I don't do much in the way of motorway or country road driving though. Just the odd trip out with the kids.
  
• I commute to work & school (about 1.5 miles each way approx 20mins) at peak times (8am and 5/6pm) Mon-Fri.

Any help much appreciated! Or share your experiences with this provider

Thanks!
Aly

rev_henry

I am similarly wary of such policies and their vague terms of what constitutes bad driving. My previous broker told me stories of people suddenly getting a £200 bill for their 'bad driving'. Are you sure you can't get a normal policy for very little more?

forgotmyname

Thats the issue, The actual requirements are not known and who will know if they move the goalposts?

Driving too fast, Driving too slowly. Doing the school run and a kid runs out in front of you. You maybe doing 10mph but that rapid braking could be seen as not driving within the conditions of the road.
Do you get out and push the car instead?

Personally i think unless its the only way you can get insured then try one that doesnt have the box.

InsideInsurance

rev_henry wrote: »

I am similarly wary of such policies and their vague terms of what constitutes bad driving. My previous broker told me stories of people suddenly getting a £200 bill for their 'bad driving'. Are you sure you can't get a normal policy for very little more?

Your broker is trying to scare you.

With Bell, and the vast majority of these schemes, the amount you are quoted initially is the maximum price you will pay. The black box can only generate a discount for you in the first 12 months and not result in a price increase. Obviously at renewal all bets are off but then you are free to move at no cost at renewal.

In Bell's policy document it states:

At the three month point of your policy, we will assess your driving score, and if you score in the top 55% of drivers you will be eligible for an additional discount. This discount will be processed automatically, and we’ll let you know how much you have saved via email and letter. Your extra discount will be either refunded to the card you used for payment, or spread over your remaining payments if you pay monthly by Direct Debit. The amount you save will depend on your driving score and policy details. But don’t worry, your premium won’t go up at the 3 month point due to you not having scored well.

The only common exception to this, and it doesnt apply to Bell, are where you agree to a curfew for a specified discount but then breach that curfew. In these cases there is a set fee per breach or you simply lose the discount subject to the terms.

sh0597

Find out the terms and conditions before you agree. My limited knowledge is that these boxes don't generate big bills so if it's cheaper and you don't mind them fitting one then do it.


I wouldn't worry about your driving, the main aim is to not claim as 1 years NCD is your real indicator of competency.

stejobeth

My daughter (18) has just done her first renewal. Last year she was with smartmiles and paid £2200 :eek:. She has switched to Direct Line (again with a box) and it cost £680 :T. There are no curfews. It was actually only about £200 more if she didn't want the box.

rev_henry

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Your broker is trying to scare you.

With Bell, and the vast majority of these schemes, the amount you are quoted initially is the maximum price you will pay. The black box can only generate a discount for you in the first 12 months and not result in a price increase. Obviously at renewal all bets are off but then you are free to move at no cost at renewal.

In Bell's policy document it states:



The only common exception to this, and it doesnt apply to Bell, are where you agree to a curfew for a specified discount but then breach that curfew. In these cases there is a set fee per breach or you simply lose the discount subject to the terms.

I wasn't entirely convinced by what he said at the time, thanks! Didn't stop me leaving him for an admiral group policy.

jerrycatlover

I joined the Bell insurance 3 months ago. It was the cheapest insurance after went through a number of comparison sites. The only difference I have notice the Bell from other insurance company was this black box scheme. I received the box and plug it in and left it there for 3 months. You will receive a weekly email telling you how good your driving is. I got silver throughout the 3 months and got a £26.53 discount towards my total premium of £563 which is a 10-month insurance policy. (I don't have no claim bonus). It hardly cause any inconveniences to me with the black box.

AdrianC

_Aly_ wrote: »

I commute to work & school (about 1.5 miles each way approx 20mins)

You could walk it in that...

smjxm09

Bell, Admiral, Elephent and Diamond are all the same company. They also own Confused.com. If you call their call centre they will deal with any of the above companies.

dacouch

jerrycatlover wrote: »

I joined the Bell insurance 3 months ago. It was the cheapest insurance after went through a number of comparison sites. The only difference I have notice the Bell from other insurance company was this black box scheme. I received the box and plug it in and left it there for 3 months. You will receive a weekly email telling you how good your driving is. I got silver throughout the 3 months and got a £26.53 discount towards my total premium of £563 which is a 10-month insurance policy. (I don't have no claim bonus). It hardly cause any inconveniences to me with the black box.

Keep up the good driving and remember you continue to learn to drive after passing your test