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The new Direct Line advert

The new DL advert is making a play on replacing the damaged mobile phone or you can have the cash instead.

I think we may have a few annoyed Direct Line customers posting here starting in a few months when they make a claim and discover the cash is actually to the value of a replacement.
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Comments

  • rudekid48
    rudekid48 Posts: 2,382 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Nah, all DL customers are "wise guys" according to Mr Keitel :)
    All matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.
  • FutureGirl
    FutureGirl Posts: 1,252 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 4 July 2015 at 9:58AM
    Why should they receive anymore than the replacement value?

    It does state in the policy booklets that cash would be at discounted amount. I suppose it's their own loss for not reading the policy documents for the policy they have purchased.
  • InsideInsurance
    InsideInsurance Posts: 22,460 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    dacouch wrote: »
    I think we may have a few annoyed Direct Line customers posting here starting in a few months when they make a claim and discover the cash is actually to the value of a replacement.

    Probably worth more explicitly stating the value to them of the replacement, ie their corporate discount is reflected in it.
  • dacouch
    dacouch Posts: 21,636 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Probably worth more explicitly stating the value to them of the replacement, ie their corporate discount is reflected in it.

    Agreed.

    I can see a few miffed posters when they receive a discounted cash settlement when you'll only notice the small print if you know to look out for it.

    It would be interesting what the Ombudsman thought of it if anyone appeals
  • TSx
    TSx Posts: 867 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Can Direct Line get discounts on iPhones? We've never been able to get a discount on them so always settle at the full retail value (unless it's the very rare occasion someone's selling off old stock cheap) - so usually settle with a cash payment at the cost you can buy one for from Apple.

    Other types of phone are still rare to see claims for but generally our suppliers can only get them at the same price as you can get them from Argos or Carphone Warehouse for so again settlement is generally at retail value.

    Electrical's is one area we've not found a supplier who can generally undercut high street retailers on price, particularly when you take into account the fee you'll need to pay them... The margins just aren't there. 90% of our settlement figures on TVs/Laptops/Mobiles etc come from an internet search on Currys/Argos/John Lewis etc rather than via a discounted cost via a supplier.
  • InsideInsurance
    InsideInsurance Posts: 22,460 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 6 July 2015 at 10:34AM
    TSx wrote: »
    Can Direct Line get discounts on iPhones? We've never been able to get a discount on them so always settle at the full retail value (unless it's the very rare occasion someone's selling off old stock cheap) - so usually settle with a cash payment at the cost you can buy one for from Apple.

    Other types of phone are still rare to see claims for but generally our suppliers can only get them at the same price as you can get them from Argos or Carphone Warehouse for so again settlement is generally at retail value.

    Electrical's is one area we've not found a supplier who can generally undercut high street retailers on price, particularly when you take into account the fee you'll need to pay them... The margins just aren't there. 90% of our settlement figures on TVs/Laptops/Mobiles etc come from an internet search on Currys/Argos/John Lewis etc rather than via a discounted cost via a supplier.

    Have certainly worked for insurers that get blanket discounts from their suppliers and so if they are replacing a Chinese import which has a 300% mark up or an Apple product with a 20% mark up the same discount is given.

    If you cannot get anyone that can undercut the high street retailers on price why arent you doing a deal with them for a discount? Have certainly had healthy discounts from the three companies you mention
    dacouch wrote: »
    It would be interesting what the Ombudsman thought of it if anyone appeals

    About the advert in particular or cash settlements in general?

    Certainly the ombudsman changed its prior position and generally supports cash settlements being based on the price to the insurer other than where the suppliers are unable to provide suitable replacement
  • dacouch
    dacouch Posts: 21,636 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    About the prominence in the advert of a replacement or cash instead but another page of considerably smaller print saying in effect subject to supplier discounts. Joe public is only likely to notice the prominent cash settlement and I doubt would understand what supplier discounts would be.
  • wozearly
    wozearly Posts: 202 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    dacouch wrote: »
    About the prominence in the advert of a replacement or cash instead but another page of considerably smaller print saying in effect subject to supplier discounts. Joe public is only likely to notice the prominent cash settlement and I doubt would understand what supplier discounts would be.

    As I understand it, Direct Line are in effect saying: "Okay, we both agree that the phone can't be repaired. We can get a replacement for you for £100. So would you rather have a replacement, or the £100?"

    Where exactly is the customer detriment here?
  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    wozearly wrote: »
    As I understand it, Direct Line are in effect saying: "Okay, we both agree that the phone can't be repaired. We can get a replacement for you for £100. So would you rather have a replacement, or the £100?"

    Where exactly is the customer detriment here?
    The point is the customer wouldn't get the £100 (or be offered it)you mention! Now do you see the detriment?
  • InsideInsurance
    InsideInsurance Posts: 22,460 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Quentin wrote: »
    The point is the customer wouldn't get the £100 (or be offered it)you mention! Now do you see the detriment?

    Cant say I have the advert but the above quote states
    Okay, we both agree that the phone can't be repaired. We can get a replacement for you for £100. So would you rather have a replacement, or the £100?

    It isnt saying its a £100 phone but that we can get a replacement for £100.
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