Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up?

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Thu 11 Nov 2010 19:33
Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up? - Focus_Driver

My insurance renewal is a lot higher than expected so I checked the insurance group for my 2000 1.8 petrol focus on the Parkers site and its listing it as group 15. That can't be right? Unless they've changed the groupings to 1-50 or something?

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Thu 11 Nov 2010 19:58
Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up? - Roly93

I have 7 years + NCD and no points and no claims, my car has just gone from £265 to £305 is year, it is reckoned to be insurance fraud thats causing it apparently.

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Thu 11 Nov 2010 20:25
Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up? - daveyjp
There are now 50 groups, rather than 20.

Reasons for increases:

More claims last year due to the bad weather

Increased number of ambulance chasing lawyer claims - even with no payout defending a claim can cost thousands.

Increase in accident management companies with their excessive car hire charges

Increase in uninsured drivers

Low returns on stock market so insurance companies can't offset investment income against the car insurance books

Insurers cutting prices to secure business, but the market is much more transparent due to comparison sites. The loss on the first year needs to be made on the second, in the past a few quid would probably see a policyholder not changing, now it's hundreds of pounds more in the second year so policy holders move their business, original insurance company therefore make a loss, but if they increase prices they don't come top on comparison sites.

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Thu 11 Nov 2010 20:42
Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up? - Focus_Driver

That just sounds crazy. So a lot of it is down to the recession from the micro level (increase in uninsured drivers who may be can't afford or won't pay it) to macro level (low stock market returns).

And I thought the worst of the recesion was over. My automatic renewal is £567 and that is the cheapest quote.

Relatively, my car should be in a lower group; no. 15 in 50 groups is lower than 8 in 20 groups but doesn't seem like it.

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 08:54
Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up? - Armstrong Sid

My automatic renewal is £567 and that is the cheapest quote.

Are you 17 years old and been driving 6 weeks ??!!

Amongst other things, it will obviously also depend on you, your circumstances, your age, history etc.

I have an 08 1.6 Focus and my fully comp insurance is less than £200.

I'm over 50 with max ncd, which might make a difference

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 10:57
Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up? - LucyBC

How old are you, what is your no claims discount and have you any convictions?

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 16:26
Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up? - Focus_Driver

If I was 17 and only been driving a few weeks £567 would not have been such a big deal and I wouldn't have posted this thread.

I'm 35 with 4 years ncb. I've claimed twice in the past 3 years, 1 fault (theft of car) and 1 non fault (sucessfully claimed off 3rd party).

I think if you're going to renew anytime soon you may well may be in for a shock.

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 16:31
Ford Focus - Have insurance groups gone up? - cilvilservant

I've claimed twice in the past 3 years,

There's your answer.

Not sure if anyone watched Watchdog last night. Martin Lewis (MoneySavingExpert) says people tends to stay with current insurance companies (brand loyalty) and that is how they get away with pushing premiums up. Shop around, use multiple comparison websites etc.

However, as you have claimed twice in 3 years (no matter who's at fault), your premiums will go up.

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