Direct Line - car insurance....Any good?

Bluebell_Mel

Anyone got car insurance with Direct Line? What do you think.

Renewal premiums are horrific this year. These guys are the lowest by far and seem to offer all the extras and then some.

bigisi

I have been pleased with them for the two years I have been with them. In 21 years of driving I have never stayed with a car insurer for more than a year due to renewal prices being beaten on comparison sites. On renewal in September last year they gave me a great price and I could not beat it anywhere else. Three months later I had a bump (my fault) and they paid for the damage on my car and the other within seven days, both cars repaired and back on the road.

I imagine my renewal will be more expensive next year due to the bump but I have been happy with their service.

Bluebell_Mel

Thanks Bigisi. Its always fine until you have a claim.....not that I'm planning on having any.

bigisi

Bluebell_Mel wrote: »

Thanks Bigisi. Its always fine until you have a claim.....not that I'm planning on having any.

Exactly, it's always a risk with any insurance company, I'm sure I could find hundreds of reviews agains DL but in my experience they have been fair and efficient.

This was the first time they had ever been competitive for me, for years they were way more expensive than others and then I must have ticked some magical box for them and they were very well prices for the level of cover.

verityboo

My experience has been very good. When I had a non-fault accident claim they were very efficient and I wasn't palmed off to a different accident management claim company

cajef

Been with them for ages, every year when my renewal comes around I check prices find the cheapest then phone them up and they will match it to within a few pounds.

I also like that they do not charge for any changes made to the policy such as change of addess or car.

Only had one claim many years ago and they dealt with it quickly and without any quibbles.

garth549

Direct Line were always the cheapest for me until I bought my new car. I was with them for 8 years and had no problems. Claim handling, customer service always excellent etc

For some reason they think me driving a Ford Focus is almost twice as risky as driving a Polo. Aviva (who I'm with now) think the exact opposite!

oscarward

another one with positive experience.


Bonus is that minor changes don't carry an administration fee.


e.g. adding someone to the policy for 1 day cost £1.40!

Anna1664

Direct Line are fantastic - very good price each time I go with them (I alternate between them and other companies such as admiral each year to get 'new customer' discount) when I did have to make a claim on car insurance in 2018 they were excellent. In fact the car that was in an accident was old and my mechanic thought that no insurance company would repair using 2nd hand parts and therefore it would be written off. I asked if they could repair with second hand parts and although there was a bit of confusion in the end they confirmed this with my mechanic and the car was repaired - I was very relieved as it was a difficult time financially /logistically and time-management-wise to be looking for a new car. Plus they had a 'no quibble' baby car seat replacement policy which was easy to use and have a new car seat arrive in a way that worked for me. Very impressed with them - will continue to use them - and have recently got a very competitive quote for home/contents insurance.

DCFC79

Anna

Why drag up a thread from last year ?

Dr_Michael

Shocking. Lazy. Incompetent. I was rammed from behind by a maniac overtaking me on a narrow country road at night before a 90-degree bend. The 3rd party apologised & admitted responsibility at the time. He'd previously written off another car in a similar way. And yet Direct Line would not fight my corner. They held me responsible, & were lethargic & patronising in their response. I'd previously not had an insurance claim entered against me in 32 years of driving. I strongly advise everyone to avoid this wretched company. Their motor policies might be cheap, but there's a reason for this. They will abandon & betray their customers at the slightest opportunity. And you can forget any notion of accountability.