Insurance Renewal

[Redrat]

Got a letter from Carole Nash quoting £142 renewal as against £320 last year. Got a second letter saying sorry that was an error, how about £640. Did some enquiries and was quoted £312 by Hastings with more options included than CN provide. Contacted renewals team and asked for a review with underwriter and was then quoted £500. I challenged this and was told that one of the factors was my age - so much for my valued custom, I don't think.

Tonight a get a return call from CN asking if I had considered the renewal and of course I said I had arranged alternative insurance and the policy would expire. Oh no, says she, the automatic renewal would have taken place at £640 but not £500 as you have to accept at the time of quote. I said that surely my statement that £500 was not acceptable was an indication of my intention to finish the contract but apparently not. However, this conversation confirmed the policy would lapse.

Intrigued by this call I asked why it had been made and she apologised for the 'ageist' remark of her colleague stating that the premium was relevant to many other factors as well. I said that at least he had been honest but why the enquiry about extremely differing amounts, come on own up, what's going on? It transpires a rogue colleague had sent out renewal letters with incorrect details of premium and, although he had been sacked, enquiries were now in hand to determine the damage done on lost renewals.

Sadly CN have lost my business because they were still unable to meet last years premium figure, add on the extras provided by Hastings and pay a cancellation fee before the renewal date in late May. Anyone else had similar problems or is it something that happens late in life!!!!

[viper]

bennets gave me a truly amazing price of £80 and also someone else on here, try them

[Redrat]

Cheers Viper - the problem throwing figures around is whether it's basic insurance or the whole package. I'm actually paying £170 for 2 bikes plus additional premiums for NCD protection, legal cover, UK/Euro breakdown and a Personal Accident policy. I ride enough and far enough to justify the outlay but let's see what next years catch will be?

[nightrider]

The only way to get the best quotes is to do go compare ,or compare the market ,these always give the best cheapest quotes ,carol Nash in my opinion have always been on the high side , loyalty is a thing off the past it just means that they will try to charge you more , 

[viper]

The only way to get the best quotes is to do go compare ,or compare the market ,these always give the best cheapest quotes ,carol Nash in my opinion have always been on the high side , loyalty is a thing off the past it just means that they will try to charge you more , 

more and more insurance companys are moving away from comparison sites now , the list gets bigger each year , however I did find bennets on gocomapre and they were staggeringly cheaper than the rest , in fact it was so amazeballs I had to phone them to check it wasn't a mistake . 5 years ago bennets were one of the most expensive

[tommytool]

£115 fully comp this year from Swinton. This was after receiving renewal for £164 and secondary quote for £140 by post. I then get bombarded by phone calls from them asking me to renew there and then.

Strangely they didn't refer to the £140 quote, only the £164. When I complained about the OTT calls them they offered me the £140 less the £25 "admin fee".

Hence the £115.

Bike insurance......... Think of a number! They are all a bunch of cowboys!

[SPCK111]

CN did the same to me. Been using them for 10 years with no claims and they try to double my premium.  Bye bye.  Swinton did me a great deal. 

SP

[snowy]

Think it was a Douglas Adams book that referred to it as "in - sewer-ants" - robbing barstewards at Hastings just reminded me what a bunch of rogues they are!   
Last year, on the SuperTen, £107 fully comp, 8 years NCB, £400 compulsory and £200 voluntary XS, and clean license.
Changed to the GTR 6 weeks ago, and declared a not af fault accident where an arctic lorry went into the back of me car on the M6 (all of £270 for a new tow bar) - cost £32 for swap - £25 of which was "admin" fee.
So, expecting £130 - £150 renewall - nope -  - £223.79!     
Plough through the usual "compare" websites - Hastings - yep - £122.81!!!!   
Call Hastings, they stated no need to call in as policy on auto renewal and my card will be deducted with the £223 at renewal, I request why the difference with thier compare price, after much talking with supervisor, advised that it was with a different underwriter - the lesser quote would be honoured and no change in benifit...... advised them that I was not happy and they can stuff it!
Called LV (Liverpool Victoria) as been with them since my BT days gave me civil service discount, still got car and house with them.
£151, fully comp, 9 years NCB protected, only £200 XS, no voluntary XS, 180 days European cover, includes legal expenses, and all listed accessories (all mods detailed, no hassle with any of them!) and a very English and knowledgeable operator!    (Might be a moderator override there by the PC Police!)
Faith restored, frustration calmed, I'm sorted for next 12 months. Bear LV in mind as and when renewing.

[Lonewolf]

An oldish thread but still a regular topic of conversation amongst us tight fisted Northerners.....

This does infuriate me that every year I have to go through the same process but it proves that if you speak out and challenge, you will get results.

Last November, (2014) I bought the K1600 and my insurance was £350 fully comp, with Legal protection and NCB protection, (6yrs) in addition to the usual 90 day European cover and Class 1 Business use.

This year with no changes to the policy other than I now have 7 yrs NCB and the bike will be worth about a £1000 less than what it cost me they wanted a staggering £455. 

A call to them, pleading, explaining, enquiring why the increase.....I was told that they had had to pay out on a high number of customers claims and therefore in order to recoup their 'loss' they were increasing their premiums. Not on me I told them! I was advised to use the Go Compare sites and then come back to them as they do a price match. So, this I duly did and came back to them with a price of £265 which they were able to confirm whilst I was on the phone with them.

And what do you know, they matched it.....obviously I'm happy with the quote but why, why, why do we all have to play these silly games every year???

Rant over. 

[virginiajim]

The Man is always out to get us.    Insurance companies are at the top of my most disliked list although I was pleasantly surprised that my vehicle insurance renewal was actually lower this period than last.

[O.C.]

ySteve your experience perfectly demontrates that they were simply trying to rip you off ! What other explanation can there be ? 

[ChrisB]

My experience of Carol Nash is awful. They refused to insure my GTR as it is not kept in a garage. It is covered, locked up, I have CCTV, chains, and more to keep it safe but after a lengthy 30 minutes of drivel on the phone they said no. Then next day they called me to say they could do me a better price than that quoted yesterday?? Bunch of amateurs, I would not like to put a claim in to them is this is their level of competence.
Anyway, be Wise wanted £4,500 so that was a good laugh and I ended up with MCE at £150 fully comp, zero voluntary excess, 9 years ncb. Only downside was an extra £12 for an exhaust can and heated grips as modifications. Always be careful when using comparison sites, they are biased towards those firms which pay the highest commissions to them..READ THE SMALL PRINT....

[Lonewolf]

Chris, £4500 quote eh WTF would pay that?

I just use the comparison sites as a bargaining tool, but ultimately you are in the hands of the Gods.

[half man half pie]

as well as the mad pricing structure as demonstrated earlier, the issues I have are the differnt levels of cover between the companies making it hard to compare the prices.
In the end I compile a list of 'must haves' and just use that
Once I have quotes tha match that, I thn base it on paying claims and them price
I'd rather them settle my claim than save £50 a year
As each call is quite lengthy, I'm tempeted to get the other half to do the calls at renewal time

[Lonewolf]

Either way it can be a right ball ache!