Full credit search when applying for annual car insurance?

HornetSaver

I've followed the steps in the MSE guide on cheap car insurance, and the best quote I've received is from Tesco Bank.

My next step was to attempt to go direct with them to see if doing so would beat the comparison site. But before even giving them any details (most relevantly, I want to pay annually, i.e. that I do not require credit), the first page said:

At quotation, renewal and when some policy amendments are requested, information about you will be obtained from credit reference agencies to check your credit status and identity. These searches will appear on your credit report but won't affect your credit rating. The agencies will record our enquiries and these searches may be visible to other lenders.

If I've understood it correctly, by continuing I'd be agreeing to a full credit search, rather than the soft one, even though I'm not looking to pay monthly?

http://www.tescobank.com/car-insurance/standard/apply.html

DCFC79

A full credit search isn't mentioned. I believe the searches mentioned are those that are done to prevent fraud eg check your name and other details.

HornetSaver

DCFC79 wrote: »

A full credit search isn't mentioned. I believe the searches mentioned are those that are done to prevent fraud eg check your name and other details.

But they make clear that other lenders may be able to see the results, which suggests a full credit search? Soft ones are invisible to lenders.

[Deleted User]

They won't be visible.

forgotmyname

They " may " but most likely they may not.

ninetyfables

It's a soft search for most companies. They do it to check you live where you say you live etc.