Bell Insurance - It's not April 1st is it??

[Edin430]

"Hi you're through to Bell how can I help?"

"Hi i want to cancel my renewal as it's come through at £2100.... My policy was only £1300 last year and I've got one years no claims to add on yet it's still went up £800...."

"Oh... Okay.. I'm sorry about that sir... Out of interest have you had anyr other quotes?"

"Yes I have - I just got quoted £900.... By YOUR website btw - all of about 5 minutes ago".

"Really? Wow that is a big difference.. I was going to offer to match that but it's too low I'm afraid."

"But you are the same company.... So why can you not match it?? " (said laughing...)

"Well yes it is technically the same company but..."

"No..... It IS the same company.." (again said laughing)

"Well okay it is the same but there is only so much that I can take off the quote and unfortunately I couldn't get it that low..."

"Okay...... Don't worry.. Just cancel my renewal then.."

"No problem sir I'll do that now...."

"Great - can you then transfer me through to your new business line to take out a new policy...?"

"Yes of course I'll just be one minute"



I MEAN SERIOUSLY!!!! ARE YOU FRICKEN KIDDIN ME!!!?

Renewals suck.

I'll phone Chris Knott tomorrow...

[renmure]

said funny stuff

Its a CrAzY world out there!!!

[Andy]

I have to do it with them every year. They just hope you take your renewal Takes 20 mins a year, well worth it

[Stevoraith]

Got fed up with that carry on every year so now I get an online quote from one fo the Admiral group, phone Chris Knott and they beat it.

That way you get a cheaper quote and the devious twats don't get your business.

[robin]

Yes, the insurance companies rely on inertia to balance out the decreasing margins on new sales (online sales & price comparisons must have put pressure on prices).

We stripped 150 quid or so off the BMW insurance when the renewal came in (it went up as we claimed after bumper-gate) by using confused.com - works pretty well for normal cars I think, though perhaps not best for the Elise. I think we're only paying 20 quid more than we were on last year's renewals despite losing a couple of years' NCB.

Cheers,
Robin

[gorrie]

Direct Line are exactly the same... been with them for years to insure the 'family car'. Every year, the renewal is more than an online quote... and this year, I noticed that they also wanted to charge me about 20%APR if I chose to pay monthly via the renewal. No charge for paying monthly if you get a quote online.

That said, a quick call to the renewal people was sufficient to match the online price & terms.

It's good to see that the insurance companies value the business of loyal customers, and give them the best price on renewal though

[robin]

Quite a few of them now advertise some sort of loyalty discount when you stay with them and haven't claimed ... I wonder how many people get suckered into thinking that the renewal must be cheaper than taking out a new policy - IMHO it should be illegal for the company to offer the very same service to the very same customer for two different prices - it's a bit like putting the wrong price on the tin of beans on the shelf at the super market.

[Edin430]

Totally agree I bet some people just let it run on as normal..

Didn't get round to calling Chris Knott today. Will do before the weekend - although my insurance isn't up for another few weeks so plenty time!

Robin - I think it's a bit like trying to charge you £5 for a tin of beans when you get to the counter, then only telling you the real price if you query it... In the hope that you won't....

[Neil72]

Direct Line are exactly the same... been with them for years to insure the 'family car'. Every year, the renewal is more than an online quote... and this year, I noticed that they also wanted to charge me about 20%APR if I chose to pay monthly via the renewal. No charge for paying monthly if you get a quote online.

That said, a quick call to the renewal people was sufficient to match the online price & terms.

It's good to see that the insurance companies value the business of loyal customers, and give them the best price on renewal though

I go through exactly the same rigmarole with Direct Line every year too except I don't bother phoning them up. I take out a new policy online, then let them send me a letter asking for proof of NCB from my previous insurer. I then post them the renewal that they sent out to me.

Totally absurd.

But I'm sure some insurance boffin somewhere within Direct Line will have statistics showing that x% of existing customers just renew without shopping around which must make their little rip off trick very profitable and worthwhile.

[Stevoraith]

The Admiral group are wise to that trick and as soon as you put in your detaisl to get an online quote it tells you you are an existing customer and therefor can't get a quote

I usually just change my D.O.B by one day to get a quote to compare with my renewal.

[renmure]

I just got a quote this morning from Direct Line of £1890 for insuring an Evo!!!!
Think I am going to lay down in a dark room for a while!!
Most other quotes are in the £300ish bracket so I guess thats just their polite way of saying they dont really want the business

[Edin430]

I just called Chris Knott and they cant help me as a) I'm under 25 b) there are no "deals" on Exige insurance and c) my Bell quote of 950 was too good to beat..

Did anyone else know that the 10 month bonus policy is only applicable to the admiral group??????

I've just been told that I could have my insurance with Bell for 10 years, on 10 month policies and the 12 years no claims would only be applicable if I took out another policy with the admiral group!!! If I went elsewhere they may refuse to honour it

No wonder the policy is soo cheap!