Car insurance renewal doubled

Blueskies2

I reported an incident of mechanical breakdown to my insurance company when it happened. I asked if they could provide a courtesy car but as mechanical breakdowns are not covered they advised they could not. They decided (i didn’t ask) to send out an engineer before this to assess the car and confirm the mechanical breakdown - engine seized. Repairs are being covered under the cars warranty. My renewal is due shortly and I received a quote almost doubling my premium last year. Did my contact with the insurer increase my premium this much? I am wanting to shop around but the popular comparison site does not have an option to note this when providing quotes. What to do?

elsien

Car insurance quotes have shot up this year regardless of whether there’s been any claims or not. 

Jemma01

It depends on the insurer. I've had too many double my insurance the following year for absolutely no reason. So I would shop around. If you haven't made a claim and the car was fixed by the warranty, then I would call them and check how they recorded it. If you tried another insurer and those ppl have a claim against your record, the other insurer may increase your premium. You also want your new application to say no claim made last year to get a cheap deal, but you need that confirmed so it doesn't bite when you need to make a claim. A car could fail any minute.

jimjames

Seems a bit random if prices increase or not. Our insurance for 4 cars is no different to last year but that's on a multi car policy.

DullGreyGuy

Blueskies2 said:

I reported an incident of mechanical breakdown to my insurance company when it happened. I asked if they could provide a courtesy car but as mechanical breakdowns are not covered they advised they could not. They decided (i didn’t ask) to send out an engineer before this to assess the car and confirm the mechanical breakdown - engine seized. Repairs are being covered under the cars warranty. My renewal is due shortly and I received a quote almost doubling my premium last year. Did my contact with the insurer increase my premium this much? I am wanting to shop around but the popular comparison site does not have an option to note this when providing quotes. What to do?

Have a look at the schedule... is there a claim now noted on there? Assuming it does then you'll have to declare it when shopping around too. Also check the NCD whilst you are there. 

A declined claim is unlikely to have doubled premiums on its own but many are seeing big increases again as insurers continue to have poor underwriting results.

sheslookinhot

Why did you report the breakdown to your insurance company?

Blueskies2

sheslookinhot said:

Why did you report the breakdown to your insurance company?

I was of the understanding that I had to report any incident. As this happened on the motorway while we were driving at 70mph and the car was undriveable i reported it with a view to finding out if a courtesy car could be obtained

Bigphil1474

You don't report breakdowns to your insurance company, same as your breakdown company won't come out if your car is undriveable after an accident. You are usually required to notify the insurance company of any accidents you are involved in, whether you want to make a claim or not.

soolin

I’m also interested in why a mechanical breakdown was reported to the insurance company at all? Was the breakdown as a result in any accident or incident , if not then the insurance company wouldn’t have needed to be informed and of course no courtesy car would be being discussed. 

DullGreyGuy

Bigphil1474 said:
 You are usually required to notify the insurance company of any accidents you are involved in, whether you want to make a claim or not.

Or Fire, Thefts and Vandalism.

soolin said:

I’m also interested in why a mechanical breakdown was reported to the insurance company at all? Was the breakdown as a result in any accident or incident , if not then the insurance company wouldn’t have needed to be informed and of course no courtesy car would be being discussed. 

Sounds like the OP was just being optomistic that they'd get a free car whilst theirs was being repaired

Jemma01

DullGreyGuy said:

Sounds like the OP was just being optomistic that they'd get a free car whilst theirs was being repaired

I'm insured with Admiral on a comprehensive cover, it says courtesy car is provided until the car is fixed. I'm just unsure if it must involve an accident or just a breakdown.