Most pointless insurance ever?

JonathanRyan

JonathanRyan

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I had my car MOT'd recently at Halfords Autocentre. They rang up the other day to "activate" my insurance (which I'd never heard of) after making very clear that I wouldn't ever pay them a premium I said "yeah, whatevs". The policy just arrived. It covers me for up to £300 of repairs to get my car through an MOT if it failed for one of the covered items (I didn't bother reading what these are).

The weird (and pointless) thing is that it lasts 28 days. I guess I could go and pay for an MOT any time I wanted, but pretty much I'm not going to have one for another year.

Is this just an elaborate scheme to make me feel part of the Halfords "family" like their brakes for life promotion? Or is there something more sinister going on?
 
With them charging around £80 an hour labour how much do you think they will cover for an actual repair with parts charged at main dealer prices.

They are more or less worthless which in the real world will cover little more than a headlamp bulb, and not even one of those if you car is fitted with the new HV lamps, which cost in excess of £150 each on some makes and much more on others.

Paul
 
Would they have given it to you if it had failed? That's the only time I could think it would be worth anything... unless you can use it on another car.
 
Paul-H said:
With them charging around £80 an hour labour how much do you think they will cover for an actual repair with parts charged at main dealer prices.
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Well, a full service, MOT, Ducksback treatment on front and sides and a new tyre cost me £210 so I think £300 would cover a little more than a new bulb.

Raptor Mike said:
Would they have given it to you if it had failed? That's the only time I could think it would be worth anything... unless you can use it on another car.
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As it happens, it did fail on a dodgy tyre. I got them to replace it and do the free retest.
 
I had a good one. For some unknown reason I got a very nice smartphone for my daughter on her 18th birthday.
And my mind was going along the 18 year old girl, expensive Samsung Whatsit, how long will she have that for lines, so I looked into insurance.
And found that I could insure it for pretty much everything that wouldn't happen, but not for it being lost, stolen or getting wet...
 
JonathanRyan said:
Is this just an elaborate scheme to make me feel part of the Halfords "family" like their brakes for life promotion? Or is there something more sinister going on?
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A lot of companies give it away free now as a customer retention tool. Working on the basis that you are more likely to take your car there the following year knowing that you have got £300 towards any repairs.

Raptor Mike said:
Would they have given it to you if it had failed?
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Yes because its to cover NEXT years test not this one. Good look finding an insurer for something that is known to exist
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
A lot of companies give it away free now as a customer retention tool. Working on the basis that you are more likely to take your car there the following year knowing that you have got £300 towards any repairs.



Yes because its to cover NEXT years test not this one. Good look finding an insurer for something that is known to exist
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All of that makes sense. Apart from the 28 day thing. I'd happily go there next year if they paid £300 towards repairs - but that offer runs out 11 months before I need an MOT.
 
I'd query it @JonathanRyan. Normally you have at most 30 days from inspection/mot pass in which to take out the policy. Just so you know I work for a company that provides warranties and insurances to both motor and apliance and technology markets. I have a few clients that offer MOT insurance
 
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They seem to be saying that if within 28 days something fails that the service should have picked up they will pay £300 towards the cost. So if a wheel bearing goes in 2 weeks time you will get it replaced with a £300 discount.
 
Sounds like crossed wires. I've just had a look and they give a free 28 day Engine & Gearbox Warranty, which I suppose is designed to give confidence and added value in there servicing. They also have a separate MOT Insurance policy.
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
Sounds like crossed wires. I've just had a look and they give a free 28 day Engine & Gearbox Warranty, which I suppose is designed to give confidence and added value in there servicing. They also have a separate MOT Insurance policy.
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It's also possible I didn't read the policy properly :)

Either way, it was free and I won't be claiming.
 
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