FlexPlus benefits (and Starling)

m_s

I’ve just opened a business account with Starling, but to do that I had to first open a personal current account. I did so, thinking I would use the business account, but continue using my Nationwide FlexPlus account as my personal account. But now I’m wondering... I think the bundled benefits of the FlexPlus are pretty good value - AA-like cover for the car, international travel insurance for the family, mobile phone insurance, and I might be missing some others - at £13/month. Is there any other way of getting those kind of services bundled for an equivalent monthly fee? If there is, I might consider closing the paid-for Nationwide account and switching over to Starling for all my banking. Thanks for any leads or advice!

colsten

The FlexPlus can be pretty good value for money if the benefits mean something to you.

There's nothing that stops you from continuing to use the FlexPlus, and there's no obligation on you to use your Starling personal account as your personal current account.

msallen

I use the Flexplus just for the bundle as I get good value from it.

I just leave £2.5K in the Flexplus (and top it up monthly) as the interest pays ~50% of the fee.

glider3560

It's worth shopping around for the products that come bundled vs £156 per year with Nationwide.

E.g. full breakdown cover can be bought for £37.65 (https://www.startrescue.co.uk/breakdown-cover) and travel insurance can be about £40 per year for a healthy couple.

Mobile phone insurance can be expensive, but it depends on the phone you have. I don't bother insuring my £150 phone, since the excess would be around £50 and the insurance is more than £100. I've only ever broken one phone (by falling in a river from a punt whilst drunk), so I'm currently better off by taking this approach.

m_s

@msallen: That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing. Thanks.

And thanks, @glider3560: I think with the cost of my iPhone, I benefit from the phone insurance.