MSE's Car Insurance Timing Advice Proved Costly

Broadsword66

It's annual car insurance time for me and so I set out to get quotes, and used MSE's new online comparison and analysis tool to do it.  The cheapest quote with the right cover was £261, but MSE advised me to wait a few days because, they said, I was a little too early in the process and prices would drop when I hit the timing "sweet spot" of 20 to 26 days before renewal. 

When I repeated the exercise today - right in the middle of the sweet spot - the cheapest good quote was now £274!  Thanks, MSE, you've cost me £13.  

Be warned, folks.  The car insurance landscape ain't what it used to be.  Not only have premiums increased massively (mine by 58% since last year) but they continue to rise day-on-day, it seems.  The mysterious sweet spot isn't so sweet any more ... at least in my experience.  

[Deleted User]

Can't you just open the old email and accept the lower offer? I usually keep the tab open so I can click the accept button.

born_again

Cynical would say Ins co's are onto ML & his dates & increase costs around that time.

Broadsword66

[Deleted User] said:

Can't you just open the old email and accept the lower offer? I usually keep the tab open so I can click the accept button.

It wasn't an email, it was a quote acquired via MSE comparison tool, and was time limited. It has now expired. I would have accepted it but delayed on advice from MSE.

dunstonh

For the MSE theory to work, it must assume that prices are static and not subject to change through other influences.     However, they are affected by other influences.   So, its always a risk that a delay could cost you more or it could result in a saving.  Its not a one way street.