[AlanHo]

I'm confused - even confused.com have confused me.

Each February, ready for March renewal, I carry out my usual web search for car insurance quotes - using both specific insurers and the main comparison sites - to get competitive prices.

I always specify :-
Comprehensive insurance
Voluntary excess £250
No claims protection
Legal Assistance
Windscreen Cover
Courtesy car
I currently have 3 points on my licence (SP50)
My wife as named driver - she has a clean licence
No insurance claims for either of us in last 5 years
Pay annual premium up front - not instalments

Last year the 5 lowest viable quotes I received were in the range £428 to £504 - I chose Auto Direct at £450

This year - I still have the same car - all personal details are the same (except for being a year older)  - yet the lowest 5 viable quotes are in the range £253 to £348
My present insurer is listed at £388 - £62 lower than I paid last year. (But I have yet to receive the renewal notice)

It is the opposite of what I expected and flies in the face of media stories that premiums are 30% higher this year. I must have gone over the figures 6 times to check and double check that I have input all our data correctly - but have not been able to find any errors or omissions.

What on earth is going on?????? ...............

[neptune]

They just love you Alan, and think you deserve a break......

[Dazzler]

You put too much faith in the media...Alan.. Your car is older and worth less too..

Now do yourself a favour and put some of the money you are saving into a decent antivirus programme 

[AlanHo]

Now do yourself a favour and put some of the money you are saving into a decent antivirus programme 

I can't - Microsoft don't provide a means of paying them for it.................

A further confusion is this. After my late wife died a few years back I was living alone and was the sole driver on my car insurance.

I remarried in May 2009 (wife No 3 Dazz.  ) and called my insurers to add my wife as a second driver of my car - expecting a premium increase. However - they knocked about £50 off my premium. When I asked why - the insurance agent said "I don't know why either - but it is always cheaper to have two drivers on our policy". So we called my wife's insurers to add my name to her car, and the same thing happened - but by only £20 or so.

Can anyone here explain why having 2 drivers on a policy is cheaper than just one...?

[Dazzler]

Good answer 

I'd be renewing your insurance early while the premiums are low.. Did you see if you could generate a premium for the new model?

[Dazzler]

Hi Alan Just saw you had modified your last post.. No idea why they would reduce the premium withtwo drivers on there?? 

[Mad Dog]

They say that Time is a healer and it certainly is for insurance 

You may have crossed an Insurance Age band, most insurers progressively reduce insurance for the more seasoned campaigners  Alternatively it could be that your SP50 has time expired for some insurers.

You could do as Dazz partially suggests and change some of the criteria on your estimate until you discover the key.

I did several insurance quotes recently and mine were very similar to last year.

PS I added a wrinkly to my insurance a couple of years ago, mine went down and theirs stayed the same 

[AlanHo]

I am 75 next month - but my birthday is after the renewal date. Also my SP50 is less than 3 years old. I therefore doubt that these are a factor.

Not all the insurers or comparison sites yet include the new 130 in their drop-down menu. Those that do have quoted premiums between £344 and £423 which are roughly £85 more than my present car.

The new car will of course have a higher replacement value - but it benefits by being rated in insurance group 14 - my present car is rated in group 17
(the equivalent VW Golf is rated in group 18)

[Dazzler]

Thanks Alan,

It will be interesting to do a similar comparison when the new I30 is released in Australia

[bumpkin]

An SP does not have any negative impact on your premium, I have had SP30 endorsements in the past and seen no difference in premium.  I would go as far as to suggest that SP30 (speeding in a 30 zone) would be classed as a "worse" offence than your SP50.

I have also seen a reduction in cost with adding a spouse to the policy, I think it is because they seem to classify a married person as less of a risk than a single person trying to woo the ladies (or gents) by doing wheel spins and donuts!! (yes, even at 75 years of age!)

As has been stated different insurers seem to target different age bands, my father has never been able to get decent quotes from any of my insurers over the last 10-15 years and vice versa, so obviously the ones that insure me cheaper offset some of their (loss) costs to other age bands to get my business (and again vice-versa).

Whatever way they calculate it and whatever way you look at it, the whole thing is a scam, it wouldn't be so bad if they gave you decent service from their "authorised repairers" but look at the shambles (no pun intended) Lester has just been through!

I renewed the ix20 in October for me and my wife, 8000 miles per annum, both clean licences with no claims in last 5 years (actually even that is something your insurers will play with, More Than recognised we had no claims in 15 years and reduced the premium accordingly) for the princely sum of £185 including protected NCD and no voluntary excess.

The quotes ranged from £150 to £1495  for me though which I think highlights what I have written above.

[eye30]

Can anyone here explain why having 2 drivers on a policy is cheaper than just one...?

Sort of.

When my son was renewing a few years ago he added his girlfriend and the premium reduced significantly.

They said that by having a partner he was less likely to drive erratically/take chances at junctions etc/drive late at night/drive under the influence etc as he had responsibilities.

[AlanHo]

We moved house last year - a distance of 2 miles as the crow flies - and into a different post code.

My home and car insurances both went up immediately - house £54, car £33. I am a Neighbourhood Watch organiser with good contacts with the police. They confirmed that our new location is subject to less crime than the previous one.

Perhaps all the criminals live in our new area and dont crap in their own patch....

[eye30]

Whatever way they calculate it and whatever way you look at it, the whole thing is a scam, it wouldn't be so bad if they gave you decent service from their "authorised repairers" but look at the shambles (no pun intended) Lester has just been through!

"Shambles" is being mild. I'd call it something else but this is a public site...

Now my insurance is due for renewal mid March so I'll be interested on the renewal quote and also what quotes I get now that I've an accident even though non fault, on my record.

Also I've changed occupations, well don't have an occupation now, so again this will be interesting to what risk they put on me.

[eye30]

We moved house last year - a distance of 2 miles as the crow flies - and into a different post code.

My home and car insurances both went up immediately - house £54, car £33. I am a Neighbourhood Watch organiser with good contacts with the police. They confirmed that our new location is subject to less crime than the previous one.

Perhaps all the criminals live in our new area and dont crap in their own patch....

I posted a link to post code risks assessment a week or so ago.

If I find it I'll repost.

[Surferdude]

We moved house last year - a distance of 2 miles as the crow flies - and into a different post code.

My home and car insurances both went up immediately - house £54, car £33. I am a Neighbourhood Watch organiser with good contacts with the police. They confirmed that our new location is subject to less crime than the previous one.

Perhaps all the criminals live in our new area and dont crap in their own patch....

What's more likely is that the value of the houses in your new area is higher (on average), so any claim is likely to cost them more. There may even be more people insured in your new area which raises the incidence of claims. Moving into a new postcode can be misleading as the insurers base their figures on history from the whole postcode. Maybe your new one extends quite some distance further than the two miles you moved and the farther extremities of it have different demographics to those in your neighbouring streets.

[diablo]

There's a list of UK motor insurance postcode ratings here -

http://www.carinsuranceexplained.com/car-insurance-explained/car-insurance-postcode-risk-list.html

I seem to be in the low-to-middle C band.

My insurance type is almost identical to Alan's except I don't have anyone else on the policy and I'm 'only' 60. Seems to have gone up from £190 when the car was new, then to £234 last year and then the latest quote is £273 after two years.  I only do low mileage though.

[AlanHo]

There's a list of UK motor insurance postcode ratings here -

http://www.carinsuranceexplained.com/car-insurance-explained/car-insurance-postcode-risk-list.html

That list is interesting. However - I moved from postcode B91 to Postcode B90 and the premium went up - but on the list they are both in the same risk group B.

[eye30]

There's a list of UK motor insurance postcode ratings here -

http://www.carinsuranceexplained.com/car-insurance-explained/car-insurance-postcode-risk-list.html

That list is interesting. However - I moved from postcode B91 to Postcode B90 and the premium went up - but on the list they are both in the same risk group B.

Any change in the overnight location of the car - garage yes/no, drive yes/no, road parking yes/no

Change in property - House/flat yes/no

It's surprising what can and can not influence a price.

Also, they have an "admin" fee for changing details.  I've seen that being as lilttle as £zero to as high as £50.

Also I heard that age of a certain decade (70 or 75 plus  depending on the company) will increase the cost.  Up to it you are lower risk but over it the risk increases.

[baroudeur]

I'm confused - even confused.com have confused me.

Each February, ready for March renewal, I carry out my usual web search for car insurance quotes - using both specific insurers and the main comparison sites - to get competitive prices.

I always specify :-
Comprehensive insurance
Voluntary excess £250
No claims protection
Legal Assistance
Windscreen Cover
Courtesy car
I currently have 3 points on my licence (SP50)
My wife as named driver - she has a clean licence
No insurance claims for either of us in last 5 years
Pay annual premium up front - not instalments

Last year the 5 lowest viable quotes I received were in the range £428 to £504 - I chose Auto Direct at £450

This year - I still have the same car - all personal details are the same (except for being a year older)  - yet the lowest 5 viable quotes are in the range £253 to £348
My present insurer is listed at £388 - £62 lower than I paid last year. (But I have yet to receive the renewal notice)

I see from your later post that you are a little older than me. I seek the same cover as you but no convictions and of course the postcode is different.
I had a Terracan insured from May 2011 at £276 but three weeks later I bought the i30 on a spur of the moment impulse (I only went in for a service). I  then received a £45 refund from the insurers indicating the premium would have been £231 or a little less.  This May will tell if premiums have gone up but my experience over the last ten years or so is that insurers rely on inertia selling  hoping people will not change as my premiums have shot up on house, cars and caravan. Only switching on a like for like basis keeps them down.
Strange thing is that if I get quotes but switch main driver to my wife instead of me there is a considerable difference in premium although nothing else has changed.
There is no apparent logic in insurance.

Edit:  Why do you take Legal Assistance?  Theywill only take on cases that they are sure to win.  If you are fully comp they will fight your case anyway as they stand to lose money.  Use a stand alone Legal Aid cover.  I get mine free as a retired union member and  also through my breakdown cover with Britannia Rescue..

[eye30]

I'm confused - even confused.com have confused me.

Each February, ready for March renewal, I carry out my usual web search for car insurance quotes - using both specific insurers and the main comparison sites - to get competitive prices.

I always specify :-
Comprehensive insurance
Voluntary excess £250
No claims protection
Legal Assistance
Windscreen Cover
Courtesy car
I currently have 3 points on my licence (SP50)
My wife as named driver - she has a clean licence
No insurance claims for either of us in last 5 years
Pay annual premium up front - not instalments

Last year the 5 lowest viable quotes I received were in the range £428 to £504 - I chose Auto Direct at £450

This year - I still have the same car - all personal details are the same (except for being a year older)  - yet the lowest 5 viable quotes are in the range £253 to £348
My present insurer is listed at £388 - £62 lower than I paid last year. (But I have yet to receive the renewal notice)

I see from your later post that you are a little older than me. I seek the same cover as you but no convictions and of course the postcode is different.
I had a Terracan insured from May 2011 at £276 but three weeks later I bought the i30 on a spur of the moment impulse (I only went in for a service). I  then received a £45 refund from the insurers indicating the premium would have been £231 or a little less.  This May will tell if premiums have gone up but my experience over the last ten years or so is that insurers rely on inertia selling  hoping people will not change as my premiums have shot up on house, cars and caravan. Only switching on a like for like basis keeps them down.
Strange thing is that if I get quotes but switch main driver to my wife instead of me there is a considerable difference in premium although nothing else has changed.
There is no apparent logic in insurance.

Edit:  Why do you take Legal Assistance?  Theywill only take on cases that they are sure to win.  If you are fully comp they will fight your case anyway as they stand to lose money.  Use a stand alone Legal Aid cover.  I get mine free as a retired union member and  also through my breakdown cover with Britannia Rescue..

See here - https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=7417.msg145915#new

OK did an online quote with current insurers and got the premium down by £60.

Rang them and they could reduced but only by 50% i.e.£30.

Explained that my online was £60  so the chap did a "new" quote and guess what .  Yes £60 cheaper.

Asked him to quote by taking son off policy and it would reduce by 54p!!!! So he has been left on.


So old policy will expire and will not be renewed. 
New policy start from 1 minute after old policy expires.

[eye30]

Edit:  Why do you take Legal Assistance? 

Use a stand alone Legal Aid cover.  I get mine free as a retired union member

Like you I don't have this as part of the renewal with the insurance company but I am covered thro' my union membership.

OK it is only circa £20 but £20 is 13 litres of diesel

[baroudeur]

There's a list of UK motor insurance postcode ratings here -

http://www.carinsuranceexplained.com/car-insurance-explained/car-insurance-postcode-risk-list.html

I wonder how old that list is.  Most insurers now work on the full postcode and two friends long time in the insurance businesss confirm that is the case.
My postcode first three digits (the post code district) are shared with a well known high risk urban  area and only the fourth (postcode sector) digits separates us, in a rural village eight miles away, from that location. The linked list shows my postcode as risk F but it is in fact C.  A hamlet a mile down the road is in a completely different postcode area (i.e different first two  letters)

[Dazzler]

So old policy will expire and will not be renewed. 
New policy start from 1 minute after old policy expires.

Just don't get your mornin' paper during that minute...

[eye30]

So old policy will expire and will not be renewed. 
New policy start from 1 minute after old policy expires.

Just don't get your mornin' paper during that minute...

Might get it delivered that day   

[Surferdude]

So old policy will expire and will not be renewed. 
New policy start from 1 minute after old policy expires.

Just don't get your mornin' paper during that minute...

Might get it delivered that day   

If we change insurers the new one overlaps the old one. There's no technical moment minute  when you aren't insured.

[Dazzler]

I was joking..

[Surferdude]

I was joking..

I know that.
I was commenting on the one minute lag between the two policies.
It seems strange.

[Dazzler]

I was joking..

I know that.
I was commenting on the one minute lag between the two policies.
It seems strange.

I assumed Lester was using Poetic license 

[Mad Dog]

I phoned my insurance to tell them I was changing to the i30 a couple of weeks back, expecting to have to co-ordinate the arrival / departure time to fit in with the insurance. Admiral told me that on a switch-over day they insure both cars, the old until you hand it over and the new from when you take possession. I thought that was pretty neat, especially as they gave me £45 back as the i30 is a lower group 

[Dazzler]

That was good MD