Direct line **RANT**

[600_Nutta]

Just been getting quotes for a selection of cars (so many to choose from)
Ive been with direct line for 15 years (at least).
Went to the online quoting service (as you do), found there was a huge difference in prices, so for a laugh I put in my old reg (620ti) and found that it was £120 cheaper than I was paying already with them

So within munutes of finding this out on the phone to them to find out what was going on, been told that it was an issue with the online service that you got a 10% automatic discount. I Worked out the calculations and it was more than that, the operator said "oh" and was sorry about this, and wouldn't do anything for me, so off I went again and threw the Loyalty card in the air, with a "I've been with you for 15 years with no claims apart from 2 windscreens 8 years back" Fact.

I was then told that the only way I could do this was cancel my existing policy and take out a new one online


Not happy, rant over

[Scott]

i was about to say, i got a renewal through from direct line, which is barely any cheaper than last year, and considering im a whipper snapper going from 2 to 3 years ncb, ill be trying it online again.

also, if you do it online, do they still do interest free monthly payments? 10% interest on my renewal...

[600_Nutta]

nope

They charge 22% for the monthly payment option

[stryder]

o dear

insured the ti for 208 quidfully comp not bad considerin age








( stuck it in her name innit.......shes older )

[Din]

All insurance companys are the same mate, your best bet is to change once a year as you always get a better quote for being a new customer.
Im with virgin money atm (no interest on monthly payments)

[Sheaf]

As said, all companies are the same, renewal is more expensive than new customer.

I just ring up and tell them I can get it cheaper online with them and they match the price. Last time with elephant they had to contact the new quote dept and confirm the price, but was ok.

I expect the problem is the fact your policy already started... they just cant refund they difference.

In my experience direct line is brilliant when claiming, I'm hoping to go with them this year because of that, so it's worth sticking with them if you can IMO.

[Roboscot]

Insurance companies are a strange breed. When I first bought my coupe with the predator kit on, the kit added on 300 quid on top of the quote I got before buying the car, but 2 years later when I took the kit off by which point my premium was much lower anyway, they didnt lower it in line with the car returning to standard. Hence bye-bye direct line, hello admiral

[syzsounds]

Oooh ... Heres one i can help with as the "Doris" works for Churchill who underwrite Directline ...and TSB, prudential,Tesco ..etc etc etc ..

She receives calls like this everyday.
The reason the on-line discount is so high is because YOU put the information in not a person on the end of the phone. So if any of the information is incorrect the company isnt liable to pay the difference or payout in a claim.

Also, To get new customers to join a company the new business discount is higher than a renewal discount. Although you can be put through to the "Loyalty" team and try and get the renewal lower .. your better off either going for another company or doing it on-line every year.

Her words , Not mine.

[Punx0r]

Does this mean that for the last 15 years you've been unquestioningly accepting your renewals without getting any other quotes?

[Ozz]

nope

They charge 22% for the monthly payment option

nah they dont - its an error on their part - trust me

[600_Nutta]

Does this mean that for the last 15 years you've been unquestioningly accepting your renewals without getting any other quotes?

Fraid so
Thing is tho I wasn't paying much in the 1st place, just nice to get it for less
Looks like i'll be hunting down a few insurers

[syzsounds]

Does this mean that for the last 15 years you've been unquestioningly accepting your renewals without getting any other quotes?

Tbh i've been doing the same thing for the last 5 years .. ( 9 years NCB protected) and just kept paying due to the fact i never had the spare cash to pay the first 2 instalments upfront on a new one.
Things are different now ... Common law partner of an RBS employee .. Mines due in June/July and i need multi car too ... Should be interesting....