My daughter has driven a classic Mini since she passed her test seven months ago. However, with the Mini proving unreliable so we have changed to a Volkswagen Polo. We found that changing insurance was cheaper, but we unwittingly found that the premium is £400 cheaper if we wait three weeks to start it.

We asked why this is and the answer was 'its the same as buying a plane ticket.' It seems to me that plenty of people will take the new figure without knowing about the delayed start. Why on earth is this legal. At best it seems highly unethical.

When we gave our normal details, we were quoted about £2000, but after adding the delayed start - £400 reduction alone, and playing around increasing the mileage and adding an experienced driver, we ended up at £860. None of this was offered, made clear, helped with etc etc.

Is this common practice? I have never experienced it before, so now I'm wondering how much my other policies were loaded.