Car insurance? Direct Line or LV???

[Box Brownie]

Hi all

As and ex company car driver I for the first time in decades having to find my own insurance for my soon to be completed car purchase

I have found Direct Line and LV quite competitive with LV even when you have to pay extra for the hire car cover still approx £40 less than DL..........as far as I can tell the cover is same apart from the hire car included in DL and I am talking Class 1 business cover included.

The question is, who uses these insurers and are you happy with them???

TIA for your insight & views

 

[jonbeeza]

Hi all

As and ex company car driver I for the first time in decades having to find my own insurance for my soon to be completed car purchase

I have found Direct Line and LV quite competitive with LV even when you have to pay extra for the hire car cover still approx £40 less than DL..........as far as I can tell the cover is same apart from the hire car included in DL and I am talking Class 1 business cover included.

The question is, who uses these insurers and are you happy with them???

TIA for your insight & views

I used to be with Direct Line, but changed to Churchill. Direct line do not recognise the same amount of no claims years, as Churchill, that you have accrued. Silly really, as they are both same owned. Not sure about LV though.

So if you have full no claims, see how much no claims they acknowledge.

 

[nilagin]

I used to be with Direct Line, but changed to Churchill. Direct line do not recognise the same amount of no claims years, as Churchill, that you have accrued. Silly really, as they are both same owned. Not sure about LV though.

So if you have full no claims, see how much no claims they acknowledge.

Just reading up on how many years NCB is considered to be full NCB, the industry average is 5yrs+ with a discount ranging from 60-75%. Churchill however give an 80% introductory discount for 8yrs+ NCB. But if you make a claim whilst most insurance companies will reduce your NCB by 2yrs, Churchill will reduce the NCB by 5yrs.

 

[dejongj]

I just go for the cheapest. And don't forget quidco cashback.

My Golf R ended up £136 with Sheila's wheels including £500 handbag cover

Hastings Direct paid us £120 to insure our Mercedes GL when taking into account the good will gesture for messing us about with their sub contractor Auto Windscreens. Not even their fault actually.

I would really not limit myself to just those two companies unless they are the cheapest.

 

[Cobra]

I've been with LV for a few years, with no complaints, although I've not needed to make a claim.
Like the rest, when the renewal came through I told them they were almost £100 more expensive than their nearest competitor, and guess what?
They gave me " a loyalty bonus"

 

[Box Brownie]

I used to be with Direct Line, but changed to Churchill. Direct line do not recognise the same amount of no claims years, as Churchill, that you have accrued. Silly really, as they are both same owned. Not sure about LV though.

So if you have full no claims, see how much no claims they acknowledge.

Ah! the dog......I did not even think of 'him' As for NCD, as company car driver both DL and LV have said with documentary evidence they will consider(?) the case. I have asked my ex MD to try to get such a statement of my applicable NCD which would total 5 years.

Just reading up on how many years NCB is considered to be full NCB, the industry average is 5yrs+ with a discount ranging from 60-75%. Churchill however give an 80% introductory discount for 8yrs+ NCB. But if you make a claim whilst most insurance companies will reduce your NCB by 2yrs, Churchill will reduce the NCB by 5yrs.

I will check out Churchill but FWIW using Compare the Meerkat the lowest was approx same as DL!

I just go for the cheapest. And don't forget quidco cashback.

My Golf R ended up £136 with Sheila's wheels including £500 handbag cover

Hastings Direct paid us £120 to insure our Mercedes GL when taking into account the good will gesture for messing us about with their sub contractor Auto Windscreens. Not even their fault actually.

I would really not limit myself to just those two companies unless they are the cheapest.

In regard to if I can get my NCD years recognised they both said they would adjust the premium and pay me back the difference.

 

[Box Brownie]

I've been with LV for a few years, with no complaints, although I've not needed to make a claim.
Like the rest, when the renewal came through I told them they were almost £100 more expensive than their nearest competitor, and guess what?
They gave me " a loyalty bonus"

Sounds good to me

 

[Box Brownie]

Well the Churchill site was interesting ?

It looks just like the DL one (almost a template copy!) and the price is £4 more than the DL quote Methinks the same back office operation and company

Quick extra question? For my new job I have to have business cover (inlcuded with DL and Churchie) a selectible option with LV but I have read of Class 1 cover for those that work at multiple sites but the LV site mentions Class 3 for commercial travellers.

The reason I am asking is my kit will be a mobile display stand (nothing sold from it but my role is that of a Field Fundraiser) and is that considered in effect a mobile office (akin perhaps to pro togs and their gear) or the paraphenalia of a commercial traveller? And yes I will be phoning the likes of LV to get their view/opinion on the matter but just wondered about "your" experience of such a situation??

 

[dejongj]

I'd go to a broker. Not sure whether A Plan still exists but had some really good deals from them in the past.

 

[starletman]

I just go for the cheapest. And don't forget quidco cashback.

My Golf R ended up £136 with Sheila's wheels including £500 handbag cover

Hastings Direct paid us £120 to insure our Mercedes GL when taking into account the good will gesture for messing us about with their sub contractor Auto Windscreens. Not even their fault actually.

I would really not limit myself to just those two companies unless they are the cheapest.

I smell b******t.

 

[dejongj]

I smell b******t.

???? What makes you say that?

 

[viv1969]

Direct Line and Churchill are both UK Insurance, aren't they?
One appears in comparison websites, one does not.

 

[nilagin]

Direct Line and Churchill are both UK Insurance, aren't they?
One appears in comparison websites, one does not.

Yes they are both from the same parent company. Their are several companies under the same umbrella, not just insurance, my son works for UK Assistance, their crash repair business.

 

[jonbeeza]

Well the Churchill site was interesting ?

It looks just like the DL one (almost a template copy!) and the price is £4 more than the DL quote Methinks the same back office operation and company

Quick extra question? For my new job I have to have business cover (inlcuded with DL and Churchie) a selectible option with LV but I have read of Class 1 cover for those that work at multiple sites but the LV site mentions Class 3 for commercial travellers.

The reason I am asking is my kit will be a mobile display stand (nothing sold from it but my role is that of a Field Fundraiser) and is that considered in effect a mobile office (akin perhaps to pro togs and their gear) or the paraphenalia of a commercial traveller? And yes I will be phoning the likes of LV to get their view/opinion on the matter but just wondered about "your" experience of such a situation??

A few years ago, I rang both Direct line and Churchill and I got through to the same person. I told him I just spoke to him on a different insurance number, he said he takes calls for both.

Insurance companies are just like tooth paste brands, the vast amount of choice is mind boggling, different names, making you think you have a choice. All saying they do this that and the other. At the end of the day, the money from the sale, end up in the same place. Probably only a handful of underwriters. While what we see on the market, are just offshoots, with catchy sounding names, all fighting for our business.

 

[andyred]

Well the Churchill site was interesting ?

It looks just like the DL one (almost a template copy!) and the price is £4 more than the DL quote Methinks the same back office operation and company

Yes, Direct Line and Churchill are the same as is Tesco Car insurance.

 

[andyred]

I will check out Churchill but FWIW using Compare the Meerkat the lowest was approx same as DL!

I'd also visit the insurance site directly, I did a compare site last year and it was more expensive for a couple of the insurance companies than doing the quote yourself on their own site directly...Worth checking.

 

[starletman]

???? What makes you say that?

I point blank refuse that you got insurance on a Golf R for £136,my wife is an insurers dream and even with a tracker and being kept in a garage in a very low crime rate area,her Golf R is still £275 a year.Thats with a £500 excess.

 

[andyred]

Hi all

As and ex company car driver I for the first time in decades having to find my own insurance for my soon to be completed car purchase

I have found Direct Line and LV quite competitive with LV even when you have to pay extra for the hire car cover still approx £40 less than DL..........as far as I can tell the cover is same apart from the hire car included in DL and I am talking Class 1 business cover included.

The question is, who uses these insurers and are you happy with them???

TIA for your insight & views

Been with both, for many many years I was with DL as no one could touch them for price, they did the usual for the last 3-4 years I was with them -> you get the renewal, jump on line, do a new quote and hey, it's cheaper, you then phone them up and either they matched it or I just renewed on line. Churchill and LV also did the same. No major issues with any of them and I'd happily recommend.

One thing to check, especially if the quotes are very similar is do they charge a fee if you alter your details / car in the 12 months - my last one did (only £15) which I knew about, was still cheaper and I had no intention of swapping my car, well I did swap which was unexpected and the admin fee was paid - (was still cheaper overall though).

 

[dejongj]

I point blank refuse that you got insurance on a Golf R for £136,my wife is an insurers dream and even with a tracker and being kept in a garage in a very low crime rate area,her Golf R is still £275 a year.Thats with a £500 excess.

Sheila's wheels £216 per annum, full no claims bonus, 5 door DSG, no tracker, and £80 quidco cashback. Two names drivers, I'm the daily, my wife is on it as well, Social, Domestic, Commuting and Business use, fully comprehensive and standard £250 excess. Parked securely overnight. Clean driving license.

Why would I lie about that? And what does that mean that you wife is an insurers dream? Unless she is an actuary and avoids all the risks elements there just isn't such a thing as an insurers dream. And besides the risk element there is also a market share element, and a sales element.

 

[jonbeeza]

I point blank refuse that you got insurance on a Golf R for £136,my wife is an insurers dream and even with a tracker and being kept in a garage in a very low crime rate area,her Golf R is still £275 a year.Thats with a £500 excess.

Sheila's wheels £216 per annum, full no claims bonus, 5 door DSG, no tracker, and £80 quidco cashback. Two names drivers, I'm the daily, my wife is on it as well, Social, Domestic, Commuting and Business use, fully comprehensive and standard £250 excess. Parked securely overnight. Clean driving license.

Why would I lie about that? And what does that mean that you wife is an insurers dream? Unless she is an actuary and avoids all the risks elements there just isn't such a thing as an insurers dream. And besides the risk element there is also a market share element, and a sales element.

Another big factor, is location. I lived in Lancashire and moved to Cheshire briefly. Lancashire was £580 odd, while Cheshire was £220 for the same car.

 

[dejongj]

Another big factor, is location. I lived in Lancashire and moved to Cheshire briefly. Lancashire was £580 odd, while Cheshire was £220 for the same car.

Exactly so many factors involved that it is impossible to compare one persons experience to another. Calling others liars is just weird.

Likewise only setting your sights to a few companies makes little sense as their campaigns vary all the time. And for goodness sake people don't forget about the cashback sites. Mobile phones and insurance are very high margin products companies are willing to give up a lot of that in order to get the sale on the books. You got to shop around and grab that cash back.

 

[zeb]

I have LV and had a new windscreen last year. When I got my renewal notice last week it was not included as a claim.

 

[Cobra]

Not sure whether A Plan still exists

Yep, they have an office in Dunstabubble , they keep phoning me up to renew a policy, that was in my name, as the sole driver,
but was for a company I worked for a few years back.

Thinking back, they were pretty efficient when an 8 wheeled tipper tried to occupy the same road space as my van was in...

 

[dejongj]

Yep, they have an office in Dunstabubble , they keep phoning me up to renew a policy, that was in my name, as the sole driver,
but was for a company I worked for a few years back.

Thinking back, they were pretty efficient when an 8 wheeled tipper tried to occupy the same road space as my van was in...

I went to Luton as they also had a Marine department, so I did both my Pickup truck and our Powerboat. I used them for engine modifications as well. Much cheaper than anything I could find through direct online search. The broker market is still huge and alive.

 

[the black fox]

Best thing to do is sign up for a few comparison sights ,fill in all your details etc and don't cross off the contact by snail mail option ,choose your best option for this year etc ,come 11 months time as your renewal comes round you will get lots of offers through the post ,there usually better than what you can find online ,worked for me anyway .
Another good one now I think of it is national farmers Union insurance ,quiet cheap at times

 

[cambsno]

Direct line are excellent. Around 19 years ago had two claims (both other people's fault) and the processing and service was excellent. Also had a home insurance claim which was paid the same week. A year later had another claim that I had with someone cheaper, waited over a month with lots of chasing.

Obviously you would hope that insurance is never used, but would not look elsewhere as service is important to me.

 

[wave01]

Long story but Lv not happy to pay our some years ago for a stolen car. Really put us through it

 

[neil_g]

Direct Line have always given me hugely inflated quotes. Maybe I don't fit their demographic. LV had a bad experience during a claim with them.

Admiral Multi Car all the way these days.

 

[nilagin]

Direct Line have always given me hugely inflated quotes. Maybe I don't fit their demographic. LV had a bad experience during a claim with them.

Admiral Multi Car all the way these days.

I had Admiral Multicar last year, this year the renewal was almost £300 higher.
Ended up with Direct Line, my son gets 50% discount as he works for them, I did try a quote for multicar policy, but for some reason to add my insurance to my son's was more than insuring mine as a separate policy so I went for my own separate policy.

 

[jonbeeza]

This thread just reminded me, I have had motorbike insurance for over twenty years. But I have not had a bike for about three years or so. I am going to assume, I have now lost my full no claims on the bike .

 

[Box Brownie]

Hi all

I went for LV as even with the extra payment to have a courtesy car in event of accident it was £40 less than DL

Both said if I can get a statement or letter from my old employers insurers they will give me the appropriate NCD, fingers crossed on that bit

 

[jonbeeza]

Hi all

I went for LV as even with the extra payment to have a courtesy car in event of accident it was £40 less than DL

Both said if I can get a statement or letter from my old employers insurers they will give me the appropriate NCD, fingers crossed on that bit

If you have full no claims, get it protected.

 

[Box Brownie]

If you have full no claims, get it protected.

Er! I am a little out of touch with such matters. I last had a non fault accident in Feb 2011, therefore will get a letter that will show that, how would I go about protecting it on the surmise they grant it?

 

[Wee man]

I had a policy and my wife had a policy ,two cars. Moved to one car and one policy in my wife's name. I asked about my no claims was told I will lose it after a year. Their advice was to take out a policy in my name next year and in my wifes the next year if we want to maintain our separate NCB's we both have over twenty years claim free.

 

[nilagin]

If you have full no claims, get it protected.

I've not bothered with protecting my NCB in about 20yrs.

 

[viv1969]

This thread just reminded me, I have had motorbike insurance for over twenty years. But I have not had a bike for about three years or so. I am going to assume, I have now lost my full no claims on the bike .

Should be no problem getting proof of nc from your last bike insurer and storing it.
Should you require motorbike insurance again, why would that not be taken into account? (Provided it's not a couple of decades down the line )

 

[Yelkrub]

This thread just reminded me, I have had motorbike insurance for over twenty years. But I have not had a bike for about three years or so. I am going to assume, I have now lost my full no claims on the bike .

I was told by my broker you could have a gap of two years between bikes and retain your no claims.
That was back in 2008 so may have changed since.
I didn't last the two years before getting another bike though

 

[dejongj]

I've not bothered with protecting my NCB in about 20yrs.

It's all about risk appetite isn't it. I've never protected mine, never thought it was good value for money compared to the risk posed. Same like with all the other extras they try and sell these days.

 

[jonbeeza]

Er! I am a little out of touch with such matters. I last had a non fault accident in Feb 2011, therefore will get a letter that will show that, how would I go about protecting it on the surmise they grant it?

If you have full no claims, some people ask for it to be protected, in the event of a claim. It normally costs a fee to do this. Have to weigh up, if it is worth it or not, just an option.

 

[jonbeeza]

Should be no problem getting proof of nc from your last bike insurer and storing it.
Should you require motorbike insurance again, why would that not be taken into account? (Provided it's not a couple of decades down the line )

I was told by my broker you could have a gap of two years between bikes and retain your no claims.
That was back in 2008 so may have changed since.
I didn't last the two years before getting another bike though

Most insurance companies will not accept NCB, if you have left it two years without renewing it. There are some, that will accept three, if it was them you were with last.