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You beat me to it F. I spent a boring hour following Martin Lewis' advice a couple of months ago. I always shop around for insurance, but I ended up saving about £100 on my previous year.
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It's certainly worth using more than one comparison site. I tried Confused, Comparethemarket and Tesco. The same insurance with the same company was at different prices on each.
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After using comparethemarket I got inundated with phone calls all wanting details so they could quote - very tedious - thank heavens I used a disposable email address as well.
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Direct Line, (voiced by Stephen Fry and Paul Merton - how much must that cost?) claim that because they don't pay commission to comparison sites you can get a better price by going to them direct; I don't know if this is true. I do an internet check or two when my renewal comes round but as I pay less than £200 P/A I can't be bothered to do much searching! That said the searches produce premiums from £160 to £450, for same risk/car/driver. I can't imagine how the expensive one's get any trade at all! SFAIK Confused claims to comapre from the largest number of companies- 40+ I think
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I've used gocompare for various insurances and got what I consider decent prices, not that I can be bothered chasing around any further to save £10 or £20.
They send a marketing email every few months, but I've had no bother with spam or telephone canvassers.
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As said above, Direct Line does not appear on the comparison websites.
It is also worth just doing a quote online with the existing insurer. We usually get my wife's insurance for less by doing this, i.e. take out insurance online with the same company. Sometimes they can meet the quote price over the phone and make renewing even easier.
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I tend to use a high street broker. I know it's old fashioned but I do prefer to speak to a human being when possible. Usually they have been competitive enough. Anyway, this year my renewal quote from them had gone up quite a bit. Not quite my fault as my car is worth less than it was this time last year and I haven't bent it or anything. Dragging myself to the keyboard I asked the meerkat for his take on the thing. Now here's the interesting bit......
When I 'phoned the broker to discuss their quote I specifically asked if that was the very best they could do for me and was assured gravely that it was. Why then, I asked, does your own company, your logo, same head office address etc, give me a significantly lower quote online ?
After a bit of flannel they matched it.
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It's amazing the huge range of insurance prices that come from what seems like a detailed profile of individual and vehicle information. I've had prices on comparison sites from 300 to 3000 for the same. I'm sure its just a plot to get the gullible to pay as much as possible and see what they can get away with, either that or the comparions sites are heavily biased (isn't confused owned by a top insurance company?).
Normally (apart from last year) I find the cheapest (decent) insurance via copmarison sites (in the top 3 of each site, say) and then go to that site direct instead, via a favourite "cashback" site, getting a low quote and £50+ cashback on top!
Although this year I may just pick a figure that I think my insurance should be, and then ring around til someone matches it... If I be realistic and firm about it, someone will bite.
Edited by Devolution on 24/06/2009 at 21:16
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As said above Direct Line does not appear on the comparison websites.
That is true, but a number of companies which they underwrite (Privilege to name one) do appear on GoCompare, Confused and Moneysupermarket. I have just renewed for second year with Privilege, while it want the best quote (DL actually was) but it saves hassle with proof of no claims and setting up new policies for a couple of pounds a month plus I dont have to weigh up a deposit.
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Last year I went through all the comparison sites, and then to DL and found them the cheapest, however that was as a first time customer. No doubt shopping round this year will produce different results, so I always factor in the independents alongside the comparisons. Takes a little longer, but a job for a rainy day!
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Over the last three/four years evry time I have shopped around for my own, or my wife's car insurance , or for our home insurance, I have taken note of Direct Line's not appearing on comparator sites so gone to the trouble of getting a quote.
Not once has DL been the cheapest or best value, or even close to it.
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After using comparethemarket I got inundated with phone calls all wanting details so they could quote - very tedious - thank heavens I used a disposable email address as well.
Ditto... and I'm still getting junk mail through the letterbox, a total nuisance.
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I have used confused.com for the past few years. Managed a worthwhile premium decrease every year (for same cover / vehicle), never had follow up calls or junk mail, and would recommend to anyone. Bang in details, make a coffee and let the results come to you. Easy to save searches for future reference, and resubmit with different details such as voluntary excess, mileage, business use etc for comparison
Edited by DP on 24/06/2009 at 23:53
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Many thanks for all the above leads and warnings.
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One thing's clear anyway - there's a gap in the market for a market comparator comparator website.
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Tesco's are doing a good offer (if you need a Kerscher pressure washer) Recently got quotes from all the big comparison sites and Tesco's was good,taking into consideration the "free" pressure washer.
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Tesco's car insurance is basically Direct Line with probably a few less frills.
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When you think that you've found your best internet quote, don't forget to see if you can then obtain that insurance with some cashback.
I use www.quidco.com
but there are other cashback sites as well.
I got about £20 back on car insurance.
I got an amazing £70 back on house and contents insurance that initially cost £183.
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