Cheaper to be a new customer than renew - Green Flag Recovery

JohnB47

Just had an interesting 'Chat' session with Green Flag. 
To cut a long story short, even with a 'no call out' discount applied, it is going to be cheaper for me to take out a new policy on-line (pretending to be a new customer), rather than renew my policy. They told me  ".... there is always credit for being a current customer, discounts still are applied to the renewal quote [5% for no call out], however, our online will always be cheaper as there is an online discount included up to 40% off."
What a strange world.

neilmcl

How's this any different for nearly all companies offering a service. New customers will always get a better deal.

JohnB47

neilmcl said:

How's this any different for nearly all companies offering a service. New customers will always get a better deal.

Yes, I get the point but it's not right is it? Didn't I see, only recently, some companies advertising that existing customers would get the same deal as new ones - was it a telephone/broadband company?

Herzlos

It's just how it is, I play this game with the AA (and my insurance company) every year. It usually goes "Do you want me to go to the RAC and come back next year?" "No not at all, we'll get you the special rate".

It's a total waste of time, but it is what it is. Most people don't pay enough attention to renewals to catch it.

JohnB47

I was surprised not to be offered a match with the internet price. I've looked at RAC and AA and they are really pricey compared to Green Flag, so I'll probably stick with them but go for the internet quote.

The_Rainmaker

40-50% (roughly) cashback with Quidco for RAC/AA

JohnB47

I've never used Quidco, or anything like it. Anything to watch out for? e.g. I'm dubious about providing my bank account details - although that's common nowadays.

forgotmyname

JohnB47 said:

I was surprised not to be offered a match with the internet price. I've looked at RAC and AA and they are really pricey compared to Green Flag, so I'll probably stick with them but go for the internet quote.

RAC member for many years and missed the renewal so didnt get to haggle it down. Silly mistake but
remembered not to miss it again. Following year they would not budge on the price. So make sure
you never pay the full price, always haggle.   Moved to GreenFlag myself now.

custardy

JohnB47 said:

I was surprised not to be offered a match with the internet price. I've looked at RAC and AA and they are really pricey compared to Green Flag, so I'll probably stick with them but go for the internet quote.

So you went with Green flag as a new customer and stay with them because they are competitive to the market.
So you see why they wont be incentivised to offer you a cheaper prices.

Biggus_Dickus

Prompted by this thread I’ve looked at Greenflag for the first time in years and I wasn’t aware that they took the policy-holders age and post-code into account. My close family members and myself  have used StartRescue.co.uk  for many years,;...their quotes are not affected by post-code or the policyholders age.

For example:...if I enter my son’s car reg, post code and his date of birth on Greenflag it quotes £75.04 for their ‘RecoveryPlus’ (5* Defacto rated) policy.

If I then enter my date of birth the Greenflag premium drops from £75.04 to £62.72 for the same policy.

StartRescues ‘equivalent’ policy (with slight variations)  is called their ‘3 Star’ cover (again it’s 5* Defacto rated) and the premium is £52.53 regardless of post-code or the policyholders date of birth.

The odd times we’ve needed to use StartRescue they’ve been excellent;...(that statement is no doubt the kiss of death!)

The TrustPilot reviews (for what they are worth) are similar’ish for both companies; two thirds excellent , one third crap.

I’m not spamming for StartRescue btw;...I have no allegiance to them whatsoever, but their prices are fairly competitive.

However, as the old saying goes,...”you pays yer money and you takes yer choice”