Insurance moan

[ChrisB]

We have just moved house and I called Bennetts insurance to advise them and get my renewal quote. Unfortunately I got the new kid with little or not enough knowledge. I was told that it would cost £35 to change address details on a policy that runs out in 2 weeks. I asked for a renewal quote and that's where the trouble started. Because we now have a lockable garage I expected the quote to be cheaper and told her so. No, the price is exactly the same as if the bike was kept on the driveway. NOW here is the bad bit......................If kept in a locked garage, the insurance company will not pay out if the bike is stolen within 500 metres of the garage unless it is the start of a journey or destination beyond 500 metres. I questioned this and was advised that if I was cleaning the bike on the drive and I got bashed on the head and the bike stolen, then they would not pay out any claim for theft. I KNOW, I KNOW that sounds like crap and unbelievable. I asked her to clarify and she confirmed after speaking to a supervisor that they would not pay out if the bike was stolen within 500 metres of the garage. The conversation just got worse and worse as she proved her lack of understanding on how to deal with a human being who does not understand the complexities of insurance. Unfortunately for her I have worked in financial services for over 25 years and understand it reasonably well having been a compliance manager for many of those years. I declined her offer of an additional discount and told her to forget I ever existed and have now insured the bike with another provider. It doesn't matter how cheap a product is if it is no good for you. Message is, be very careful when buying AND READ THE SMALL PRINT.

[Lonewolf]

Computer says, "NO".    You just couldn't make it up could you. 

[O.C.]

As I've said before on numerous occasions....." shop around"... loyalty to your insurance company isn't worth anything these days       

[Lonewolf]

As I've said before on numerous occasions....." shop around"... loyalty to your insurance company isn't worth anything these days   

Well that's not entirely true is it? The likes of those policies linked to your comparison web sites all possibly operate on a very similar basis but I've used IAM Surety now for many years and I have found them to be very professional, courteous and customer focused, so much so that I would highly recommend them to anyone. 

[ChrisB]

Well that's not entirely true is it? The likes of those policies linked to your comparison web sites all possibly operate on a very similar basis but I've used IAM Surety now for many years and I have found them to be very professional, courteous and customer focused, so much so that I would highly recommend them to anyone.

We had bike and car insurance with IAM Surety some years ago but they became uncompetitive in my area. Perhaps I wll look at them again next time. I agree they were pleasant to deal with on the phone.

[Robbieben]

Had a similar issue with Bennett's insurance this year, premium also went up by 150%. Needless to say I'm no longer with them.

[Rusty]

Not that it helps anyone here or that I have ever had to claim but Bennetts have for me at least always been very good on their prices .. is it age, mileage and postcode ? One imagines so 

[O.C.]

Shopping around for the best /most suitable deal doesn't necessarily mean that you eliminate your existing provider does it
   

[ChrisB]

Had a similar issue with Bennett's insurance this year, premium also went up by 150%. Needless to say I'm no longer with them.

Mine was the same last year. Bennetts renewal price was almost double but when I called them they gave a price better than anywhere else with everything I wanted. Unfortunately this year they just got it all horribly wrong and I have lodged a complaint with them and also the FCA regarding their misleading practices. In short they told me to give false information on the application. I have not yet received a response other than a very short letter confirming my cancellation  and that they will reduce my ncd entitlement and evidence of ncd by a full year because I cut the policy short by 2 weeks.